Ford Foundation for Social Justice, New York
Throughout history, art has played a pivotal role in activating social awareness and movements. Artists serve as narrators of social change, pushing for dialogue and providing hope. It comes as no surprise that not-for-profit foundations and organizations often promote and express their mission through their involvement in the arts. By partnering with or commissioning work from artists, they provide a conduit to spread awareness and an opportunity for organizations to engage with their community on a deeper level. Gensler is harnessing the power of art in storytelling to help our mission-driven clients create a forum through space to visually and powerfully express their mission.
Integrating public-facing gallery spaces into the workplace provides an opportunity to showcase art and initiate a dialogue about social justice, which ultimately increases awareness of an organization’s mission. Whether it is a curated art program, an emerging artists installation, or a dedicated gallery, organizations are finding unique ways to use art as a tool to inspire social change and connect with the community.
Gensler was engaged by LatinoJustice to create their new headquarters in New York City. With a mission to, “use and challenge the rule of law to secure transformative, equitable and accessible justice, by empowering their community and by fostering leadership through advocacy and education,” they are on the front lines of championing civil and human rights. With today’s social changes and rollback of long-standing civil rights protections happening like never before, LatinoJustice sees an urgency to expand its advocacy and litigation efforts to affect policy and our society. By introducing an art gallery into their workplace, organizations like LatinoJustice can go deeper into their mission and engage with their community in an impactful way.
The idea of a gallery space was not originally part of the design program for LatinoJustice. Rather, it was an organic manifestation of conversations about the desire to extend their reach to communities outside their organization. We transformed an ordinary reception into a gallery wall of art that aligns with their values, allowing guests to immediately engage with the organization’s mission.
We pulled inspiration from Hispanic artists and motifs, like Luis Barragan’s vivid use of color in Mexico and boldly colored and patterned Puerto Rican floor tiles, to bring their community connections to life. Although a small intervention to their program, it has created broader implications, becoming the bridge to their community. The incorporation of art into their space creates a more giving, engaging, and community-oriented environment than a traditional workplace.