Using the power of art to illuminate the ongoing struggle to realize America's democratic ideals and model the commitment to act for the common good.
Using the power of art to illuminate the ongoing struggle to realize America's democratic ideals and model the commitment to act for the common good.
American’s Who Tell the Truth
We are dedicated to the belief that a profound understanding of citizenship is the only safeguard of democracy and the best defense of social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Working with our portraits and narratives of courageous citizens, Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) crafts collaborative educational and community experiences that illuminate the ongoing struggle to realize America’s democratic ideals and model the commitment to act for the common good.
By The Numbers
Painted
in the Samantha Smith Challenge
Hosted Portrait Exhibits
Countless New Activists Inspired
Programs
AWTT has a wide range of educational and community offerings. From elementary schools to graduate programs, AWTT’s mission is to use the portraits of these courageous activists as learning opportunities that encourage everyone to become engaged citizens as they address issues of social, environmental, and economic justice. AWTT offers workshops, speaking engagements, and lesson plans and encourages schools, universities, and communities to host portrait exhibits. AWTT offers lessons and themed exhibits around environmental justice, civil rights, the media, indigenous issues, women’s rights, and much more.
Education
AWTT harnesses the power of teaching social justice through the arts and helps students learn to become courageous and engaged citizens.
Exhibits & Community Engagement
AWTT portraits inspire a future of active citizenship in your community and are available for an exhibit at your institution or in your community.
“AWTT is able to ‘story’ American social justice advocates that celebrate and bring them to life for generations to come.”
Bill Bigelow
Zinn Education Project Director
Upcoming Events
AWTT goes to the National Portrait Gallery on July 8. Join us at 6:30 for the showing of Truth Tellers followed by a panel and music from Emma’s Revolution.
Truth Tellers: An Artist’s Journey to Uphold our Founding Ideals Film Screening & Discussion
Join us at the National Portrait Gallery for an exclusive screening of a new documentary about the power of teaching social justice through art.
What's New
Earth Advocates: Zeitgeist Matters
As we eagerly anticipate the September publication of our new book Portraits of Earth Justice, AWTT’s portrait subjects just keep on doing what they do.
AWTT at National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
On Friday evening July 8, 2022, Richard Kane’s film, Truth Tellers, about the Americans Who Tell the Truth (AWTT) portrait project, was shown in the auditorium at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Advocates Respond to Death of Roe v. Wade
We checked in this week with some women’s rights advocates from AWTT’s portrait gallery, to glean their response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision reversing Roe