2021 Culturefix

Our Work

Celebrate the power of arts and culture to heal the world.

On June 9, 2021, Meridian proudly presented culturefix, its inaugural cultural diplomacy celebration to honor the power of the arts and cultures to help fix global challenges faced by people, communities and the planet. The virtual program featured conversations at the intersection of diplomacy, culture, and the arts, the announcement of the Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Awards, and special performances. The Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Awards are bestowed on artists or cultural leaders who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to using the arts and culture to unite people in the United States and around the world and contribute to greater international cooperation on shared global challenges. The event included a special in-person evening reception with a live performance by the American Pops Orchestra and art exhibition by Fred Tomaselli at the historic Meridian House, the diplomatic residence to the world, in Washington, D.C. culturefix was Co-Chaired by Megan Beyer, Randi Levine, and Reggie Van Lee and Artistically Co-Chaired by Luke Frazier and Robert Pullen.

See more on social: #MeridianCulturefix

culturefix Agenda

WELCOME REMARKS WATCH

Ambassador Stuart W. Holliday, CEO, Meridian International Center

RESURGENCE OF THE CREATIVE ECONOMY WATCH

Artists, designers, performers, musicians, and untold creative professionals have seen the decimation of their businesses and livelihoods due to the recession and widespread unemployment in creative industries. This panel will discuss the necessary steps to build a stronger and more resilient creative economy, encouraging the full participation of the government, business, philanthropic, and creative communities.

Laurent Claquin, Head of Kering Americas

Rachel Lehmann, Co-founder, Lehmann Maupin

Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation

Moderated by: Reggie Van Lee, Partner and Chief Transformation Officer, Carlyle Group

ART FOR HUMANITY: TACKLING GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN ISSUES WATCH

The power of a single artistic image to transform the course of history cannot be overstated. Since the beginning of time, artists and curators have shaped the way humankind sees and responds to the world around them. Whether helping build compassion for the strife of others, provoking outrage for intolerable societal conditions, or creating cognitive dissonance in ways that force us to reconsider harmful biases, art plays a vital role in expanding justice and human rights across the globe.

Massimiliano Gioni, Artistic Director, The New Museum of Contemporary Art

Allison Janae Hamilton, Visual Artist

Shirin Neshat, Visual Artist

Moderated by: Sue Hostetler Wrigley, Co-Founder & President, Hostetler/Wrigley Family Foundation; Former Editor-In-Chief, Art Basel Magazine

ARTS IN ACTION: PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILIATION THROUGH CULTURE WATCH

Arts and culture have long played a vital role in fostering an environment of peacebuilding, cultural understanding, and reconciliation by bringing people together around shared values to address the social, political, and economic challenges we all face. The Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy is rooted in the idea that culture is the most effective tool in tackling critical issues that impact our local, national, and global communities. Cultural practitioners and educators are vital to the advancement of critical solutions and productive dialogue, thus creating a foundation for impactful conflict transformation and reconciliation efforts.

Pedro Reyes, Visual Artist

Art Smith, Chef

Stacy White, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Moderated by: Carla Canales, Opera, The Canales Project

THE ART OF GLOBAL STORYTELLING THROUGH FILM AND TELEVISION WATCH

The story of who we are and who we want to be is at the heart of every society. Film and television offer a unique opportunity to share cultures, values, and traditions, across borders and between people. This panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by the film and television industry to share diverse voices and perspectives, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bela Bajaria, Head of Global TV, Netflix

Kal Penn, Actor/Activist

Alan Yang, American screenwriter

Moderated by: Megan Beyer, Co-chair, culturefix

CLOSING REMARKS WATCH

Ambassador Stuart W. Holliday, CEO, Meridian International Center

VIRTUAL BROADCAST: MERIDIAN CULTURAL DIPLOMACY AWARDS WATCH

The Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Awards are bestowed on artists and leaders who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to using the arts and culture to unite people around the world through shared values and interests and contribute to greater international cooperation on shared challenges.

Ambassador Stuart W. Holliday, CEO, Meridian International Center

Divinity Roxx, Musician/Composer

Jonathan Capehart, Journalist

Teresita Fernández,Visual Artist and Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Awardee

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Pianist and Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Awardee