At the Duluth Art Institute, art is more than creation — it is conversation, connection, courage, and community.
In 2026, our year-long theme, We Hold These Truths, invites artists, thinkers, and neighbors to reflect on the truths that shape our lives, our relationships, and our collective future.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, we are called to examine the promises embedded in the phrase “We hold these truths…” and consider how those ideals have been realized, challenged, and reimagined across time.
Through art, we ask:
- What truths shape our communities today?
- Whose truths have been centered — and whose have been left unheard?
- How can art help us hold complexity with care?
Artists participating in this theme may explore:
- Personal truths — stories of identity, memory, love, and loss
- Historical truths — narratives often missing from mainstream accounts
- Social truths — reflections on equity, belonging, and justice
Art as Inquiry
Throughout 2026, exhibitions, public programs, and community collaborations will explore personal, historical, and collective truths. Artists will engage themes of identity, belonging, equity, and justice through many mediums — from ceramics and painting to performance and digital art.
Art makes the intangible visible and the unspoken felt. Some works may challenge how we think; others may invite open interpretation. All offer an opportunity for reflection.
In a time when conversations can feel polarized, art creates space to slow down, listen, and see beyond our own perspectives. It invites nuance, compassion, and meaningful dialogue.
A Year of Community Engagement
During this themed year, you can expect:
- Exhibitions examining layered histories and lived experience
- Artist talks and workshops that foster dialogue across difference
- Partnerships elevating voices historically underrepresented in the arts
- Opportunities for community members to share their own reflections
At its heart, We Hold These Truths is not about declaring a single narrative — it is about holding space for many.
Why This Theme Matters Now
At a time when information is abundant but understanding can feel scarce, this theme invites thoughtful engagement. We seek art that encourages pause — art that sparks reflection and builds bridges rather than walls.
In 2026, we will:
- Center artists engaging identity, equity, and cultural narrative
- Create art experiences that invite shared reflection and participation
- Partner with community groups to strengthen dialogue around truth and belonging
Through exhibitions, classes, workshops, and collaborations, we aim to cultivate a space where art becomes a tool for compassion, insight, and collective care.
Truth Is Lived
Truth is not static — it is complex, evolving, and shaped in community.
We Hold These Truths embraces that complexity and recognizes that listening — especially to voices historically marginalized — is an act of courage and care.
This year is not only about showcasing art. It is about engaging in shared discovery and unearthing deeper understanding together.
We hope every visitor, artist, and partner finds meaning, challenge, and resonance in the work they encounter.
Join the Conversation
We invite you — creators, learners, and neighbors — to hold space with us in 2026.
- What truths define us?
- What truths unite us?
- What truths challenge us to grow?
Truth is not just something we declare. It is something we live.
Welcome to We Hold These Truths — a year of art, reflection, and community.