Colossal Members have helped us reach a fantastic milestone! We’re delighted to share that this month, we’ve officially assisted in funding 100 projects in classrooms around the nation via DonorsChoose. These include supplies and materials for K-12 students, some of whom are learning about and experiencing art for the first time.

A portion of all Membership fees are allocated to this initiative, and so far we’ve been able to contribute more than $13,000, making a substantial difference in numerous learning spaces. And since we’re based in Chicago, we especially like to support classrooms here at home. Here’s what a few recent recipients had to say after their projects were funded:

“These supplies will boost morale and prove to students they are seen and cared about. In a time when it is an act of bravery for them to leave their homes and be in school, the ability to be creative without any limits to materials means more than anything.” —Ms. Resnick, Gage Park High School, Chicago

“Thank you so much for your generous support of our 4th-grade classroom! Because of you, every student now has a set of vibrant watercolor paints to bring their learning to life.” —Mrs. Wilson, Dawes Elementary School, Chicago

“On behalf of our students, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous contribution to our art classroom. Your support has made a real and lasting impact — from sketch books to erasers to our art drying rack – every supply you helped provide has become a tool for creativity, self-expression, and learning.” —Ms. Pogue, Deneen School of Excellence, Chicago

Find out more about the specific projects funded on DonorsChoose, and join us by becoming a Colossal Member.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Colossal Members Have Funded 100 Projects in K-12 Classrooms through DonorsChoose appeared first on Colossal.

Dear readers,

In a collection of her published diary entries, Virgina Woolf wrote, “Thinking is my fighting.” This sentiment was a prominent theme in her 1940 essay, Thoughts on Peace In an Air Raid, in which the British writer framed the importance of individual thought as a crucial antidote to war and the rise of fascism.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Woolf’s quote and its relevance today, largely connected to discourse on education. While literacy rates in the U.S. continue to plummet, a soaring number of individuals are adopting habits antithetical to thinking—offloading even the smallest of cognitive tasks onto Chat GPT, doomscrolling for hours on social media, and numbing the mind with addictive “brain rot.” Critical thinking is being traded for passive acceptance and the death of curiosity—all in the name of efficiency and capital innovation. Our minds have become the new commodity.

In response to this, I’ve seen a clear cultural shift toward self-education. I, too, have been influenced by this new wave of autodidactic learning—personal curricula, digital detoxes, reading challenges, etc. While these are certainly more examples of internet trends worming their way into our algorithms, beneath them lies something deeper: a collective desire to reclaim our own thoughts.

At the same time, access to quality information and educational materials can be hard to find, whether those resources are locked behind the gates of inflated tuition costs, class fees, or online paywalls. For Colossal, accessibility has always been an ongoing commitment. Over the last 15 years and counting, every article, interview, and instructional aid on our site has remained completely free. Our team believes that the ability to learn about and enjoy art must be universally available.

For years, members of this community have made us aware of how beneficial Colossal has been in their learning journeys. Educators of all ages have shared that they’ve introduced the website to their students, crafting complete lesson plans from our articles and glossary of art terms. I encountered Colossal for the first time in a classroom, and in another life where I taught elementary students art, it remained one of my most reliable tools.

Out of the classroom, learning persists, and we’ve been elated to hear many stories about how our daily doses of art allow readers to uncover something new everyday, gain more knowledge about contemporary art, and discover impactful stories that bring about change, connection, and hope.

Now more than ever, creative thought must be nurtured, protected, and free from barriers. Our mission to do this can only continue with you. Today, only 1% of Colossal readers financially support the work we do. Like many independent publications, our members are the cornerstone of our existence and ability to continue sharing art with the world.

We encourage you to join the Colossal community. Now is the time to spread creative ideas, revive curiosity, and defend the ability to think and learn imaginatively.

And as we celebrate teacher appreciation this month, we’d like to highlight our deeply discounted education membership, available to current students and educators (just shoot as a quick email and we’ll get you set up). Thank you for reading, sharing, and learning with us.

Gratefully,
Jackie Andres
Online editor, Colossal

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Creative Thought Is Essential: A Letter from Our Editor appeared first on Colossal.

We’re thrilled to invite you all to the Chicago premiere of Paint Me a Road Out of Here, the award-winning documentary from Aubin Pictures directed by Catherine Gund.

Along with Intuit Art Museum and the Women’s and Gender Studies Department at DePaul University, Colossal is co-hosting a screening of the film followed by a conversation between film participant Leah Faria and our editorial director Grace Ebert on March 25. This event is free to attend, but seating is limited.

Featuring artists Faith Ringgold and Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, Paint Me a Road Out of Here uncovers the whitewashed history of Ringgold’s masterpiece, “For the Women’s House,” following its 50-year journey from Rikers Island jail to the Brooklyn Museum.

Read our coverage of the documentary, watch the trailer, and RSVP to save your seat.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Join Us for the Chicago Premiere of ‘Paint Me a Road Out of Here’ appeared first on Colossal.

As with most conversations about money, understanding how artists fund their practices and lives is rarely discussed and always of intrigue. Mason Currey dives into this underexplored topic in his new book Making Art and Making a Living: Adventures in Funding a Creative Life.

Currey is known for documenting the day-to-day routines of hundreds of artists, writers, filmmakers, designers, musicians, and more. Making Art and Making a Living is in the same vein, revealing how family money, day jobs, schemes, and more have buoyed artists through the ages.

​In partnership with EXPO Chicago and the Chicago Athletic Association, we’re thrilled to celebrate the launch of Currey’s new book. Join us on April 8 for a discussion and signing by the author. Tickets include a hardcover copy, and Colossal Members receive $10 off with the code in their account.

Find Making Art and Making a Living in the Colossal Shop, and register for the event to save your seat.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article How Do Artists Finance Their Lives? Join Us for a Discussion About Mason Currey’s New Book appeared first on Colossal.