About Us.
Art is My Weapon MN is a 501 C3 that aims to use art and creativity to spark social change.
Art is My Weapon was founded in 2016 by Chanda Smith Baker, with a vision inspired by the impactful initiative "Guns in the Hands of Artists" in New Orleans. Motivated by a desire to honor the memory of Kristopher K Miller and amplify the consequences of gun violence, our organization harnesses the transformative power of art to provoke dialogue, foster healing, and advocate for change.
Embracing the model of "Guns in the Hands of Artists," Art is My Weapon provides a platform for artists to utilize their talents as a means of social commentary and activism. We believe that by transforming weapons into works of art, we can confront the harsh realities of gun violence while inspiring hope for a safer, more peaceful future.
Through a diverse range of artistic mediums and expressions, including visual arts, performance arts, music, and poetry, Art is My Weapon empowers individuals to channel their experiences, emotions, and stories into powerful messages of advocacy and resilience. By amplifying the voices of survivors, activists, and allies, we strive to ignite change and build a community committed to ending the devastation of gun violence.
Join us in our mission to turn pain into purpose, honoring the legacy of Kristopher K Miller and advocating for a world where every individual can thrive without fear of gun violence. Together, we wield art as a catalyst for transformation and a tool for social justice.
Additional:
In 2018, Art is My Weapon underwent a significant transition as Nikki McComb assumed leadership, bringing with her a wealth of passion and dedication to the cause. Since then, Nikki has played a pivotal role in expanding the organization's reach and impact, catalyzing new initiatives and fostering collaborations to amplify our mission. Under her guidance, Art is My Weapon has flourished, reaching even more communities with its message of hope, healing, and activism. Nikki's visionary leadership has propelled the organization forward, driving meaningful change and empowering individuals to make their voices heard in the fight against gun violence.
Please be sure to add our Facebook page to keep up with our artists and their journey as participating artists.
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Social Justice Collaborative/Violence Prevention /Curatorial Projects / Art Program Development and Delivery
2016-present Art is My Weapon
Founded
2015-present The ENOUGH Campaign for Public Safety
Founded
Exhibitions
2023 Healing heART’S Exhibition
2023 Technicolor Truth Exhibit Grace Trinity Church
2022 Unburden Yourself Exhibition Hennepin County Cargill Gallery
2022 Youth Healing heART’s Program Exhibition
2022 Solo Exhibition “Taken” Gordon Parks Gallery Metro State University
2021 The African American Heritage Museum, Art is My Weapon
2020 The Gardens of Honor Project
2019 Youth Violence Prevention, The Minneapolis Bench Project
2019 VACATE, The Moving Walls of Minneapolis Exhibition Lutheran Social Services and International Market Square
2019 Art is My Weapon Youth Artists Exhibition
2019 VACATE, The Moving Walls of Minneapolis Exhibition UROC
2018 ReCast Youth Photovoice Exhibition
2018 Something to Say: Art as Commentary, Artistry Gallery, Bloomington, MN
2018 Art is My Weapon, Homewood Studios, Minneapolis, MN
2017 Art is My Weapon, Gamut Gallery
2017 Wirth Cooperative Exhibition
2017 Art is My Weapon, Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2017 Dream World Resistance, Public Functionary, Minneapolis, MN
2017 Jerome Fellowship Exhibition, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2016 Philando Castile Exhibition, Pollen, Minneapolis, MN
2015 Family and Friends Exhibition, St. Paul School of the Arts, St. Paul, MN
Awards/Grants
2023 Hennepin County Violence Prevention Grant Healing heART’s Program
2023 Hennepin County Trauma Informed Care Community Grant Healing heART’s Program
2023 MRAC Flexible support Grant Healing heART’s Program
2022 Hennepin County ARP grant Healing heART’s Program
2020 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant
2020 Fund for Safer Communities, The Minneapolis Foundation
2019 YVP Fund Grant, The Minneapolis Bench Project, The City of Minneapolis
2018 ReCAST Youth Engagement on Trauma Collaborative Artist / Partner Grant
2018 CURA Evictions Moving Walls Artist Grant
2016 Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Emerging Artists
2016 McKnight Artist Fellowship Micro Grant
2014, 2015 Community Leadership Award Recipient
2013 Community Leadership Award Recipient
Programming
2023 Delivery of Healing heARTS Program 9 locations to date
2022 Delivery of Healing heARTS Program 14 locations
2022 Development and delivery of The Gun Violence Survivors Iron Pour / Tree Planting
2022 Development / Delivery of The Healing heART’s Program Initiative 12 locations
2019 YVP Fund, development, and delivery of The Minneapolis Bench Project
2018 Perpich Center for the Arts Teaching Guest Artist, Golden Valley, MN
2018 CURA Research Project Participating Artist for project "Evictions," Minneapolis, MN
2017 City of Minneapolis Collaborative Public Safety Strategies $250,000 grant manager
2010-12 Cartoon Illustration / Family Violence Project
2008-10 Children's Book Illustrator, Right Step Academy
2009-2010 Selby Ave. Black Historians Mural
2005-08 Art teacher /After School Programming, The Minneapolis Urban League
2000-2004 Art Teacher / After School Programming Right Step Academy
Bibliography
Minnesota Voyage 2022/23
Minn Post 2022/23
MPLS Arts 2022/23
Start Trib 2022/23
WCCO Healing heART’s Art is My Weapon Exhibition 2022
WCCO, Art is My Weapon - 2020, 2021
KARE 11, Enough Campaign, March 2018
MPR, Art is My Weapon Interview - October 2017
CBS, ENOUGH, Families Affected by Gun Violence - July 23, 2016
Fox 9, A Picture is Worth 1,000 Tears - July 20, 2016
Huffington Post, Protect your Crown - 2016
Insight News, 2016, That was My Mother
KARE 11, Black Historians Mural, Selby Avenue 2009