Intersections

Intersections is a participatory program that emphasizes community-building as a way to learn about art and unpack complex concepts that have a powerful impact on our lives. During Intersections, participants engage with works of art that inspire conversation about a specific topic or idea.

Intersections is …

Participatory
Intersections is for people who want to get involved. We depend on our attendees to make the program come alive by contributing to conversation, taking part in exercises and activities, and engaging in small-group discussions. 

Timely
Intersections is a space to explore concepts that are impacting our community now. Facilitators pose important questions being asked in Chicago and beyond and select artworks that help us explore them together. 

Challenging
Intersections addresses complex topics that can disrupt our preconceived notions and push us into ways of thinking that are unfamiliar and even uncomfortable. Intersections programs aim to bring people together to learn from one another and unravel difficult concepts in a safe, thoughtful way. 

With this in mind, facilitators always begin Intersections programs by stating our community agreements, which help us have respectful, compassionate conversations.

Community Agreements

Trust intent but understand impact 
Trust that even if someone says something that you disagree with or that makes you uncomfortable, they are coming from a good place without intent to harm. On the flip side, when you are speaking, be aware that our words do have an impact and that people can be hurt by our language even if we do not intend it. 

Step up, step back, and listen 
If you tend to be quiet or shy about sharing your thoughts, we hope you will feel encouraged to contribute your perspective to the conversation. If you are someone who tends to speak up easily, remember to pause to let quieter participants jump in if they would like. Finally, we listen carefully to those around us to make sure we are fully appreciating their perspective. 

Use “I” statements
Avoid generalizing about communities or experiences that are not our own. 

Don’t freeze me in time
It’s okay for other people to change their minds. It’s also okay to change our own minds. This is why we engage with art and have conversations about issues that matter—to evolve. 

Values and History

If you would like to learn more about the values and history of Intersections, read “Intersections: Art and the Museum as Sites for Civic Dialogue” by Nenette Luarca-Shoaf, managing director of Learning and Engagement at the Lucas Museum of Art in Los Angeles, and co-creator of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Intersections series.