Carving for Climate
This December, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 16/CMP 6) was held in Cancun, Mexico. The conference, which drew over 190 nations and 15,000 people, continued the climate conversation from Copenhagen, which was largely considered a failure. The ultimate aim is a global handshake that commits the world to cut greenhouse gases 50% by 2050.

The conference, however, was not the only unusual event happening in Cancun. In light of the climate talks, artist Jason de Caires Taylor is showcasing his sculptures underwater. The installation, Silent Evolution, is an ambitious collection of over 400 life-size humans evolving over centuries. Not only does deCaires Taylor’s sculpture make an artistic statement about climate change, but also actively draws tourists away from the reefs to give them a respite, while creating a new habitat that increases biodiversity.

Read the full article HERE.

No Longer Hidden
What do Walt Whitman, James Baldwin, and Anne Liebovitz’s partner have in common? They are showcased in the United States’ first major exhibit of LGBT portraits.  For the first time in American art history, a prominent major art museum has opened its doors to gay and heterosexual artists to display portraits of gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women. The Smithsonian’s Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture exhibit spans from the early 1800s to current day and includes portraits and artistic representations of openly gay men and women.  It’s a huge leap in the art world since major museums have basically snubbed the subject of same-gender sexuality, according to art historian, Jonathan Katz.  The exhibit will remains at the Smithsonian until February 2011.

Newsletter Contributions Made by: Maya Lilly and Jerine Griffith & Edited by: Kip Pastor

Artivist Film Festival Dec. 1st-4th

For the seventh year in a row, the Artivist Film Festival took place in Hollywood at the Egyptian Theatre from Dec. 1-4. It screened 45 narratives, documentaries and shorts from around the globe, while awarding the best films. Peter Fonda was honored this year for his work as an activist. Films featured include “ReGeneration,” narrated by Ryan Gosling; “Hempsters,” which begins with Woody Harrelson’s arrest for planting hemp seeds; and “Play Again,” a film that focuses on the average American child’s connection to playtime, be it video games or nature. The festival describes its mission as strengthening the voice of advocate artists, or “Artivists,” while raising public awareness for global causes. In recent years, however, Artivist has faced some criticism from the community for its pairing with Petrobras, a Brazilian oil company.

Read the full article HERE.

Finding Fela!

If you want to exercise off all those extra holiday calories, plan to see the musical Fela! One of the more activist Broadway performances in recent years, Fela! is entering its second year of performances complete with a few Tony-awards, including one for Best Choreography (by America’s most garlanded dancer, Bill T. Jones). Based on the controversial music and life of African activist Fela Kuti, Fela! is an African rip-roaring experience produced by Jay-Z, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Through Jan. 2nd, it will be featuring the queen energy of Patti LaBelle playing Fela’s mother. The show is at the Eugene O’Neill theatre in Manhattan until the new year. 

Read the full article HERE.

Meaningful Member of the Month: Maryam Henein & "Vanishing of the Bees"

With more than fifteen years experience working as an investigative journalist, a documentary/television producer and professional researcher, Maryam Henein has gained notoriety as a passionate documentarian. Most recently, she has co-directed and produced the documentary "Vanishing of the Bees".

Narrated by Oscar-nominated Ellen Page (Juno & Inception), "Vanishing of the Bees" follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S.

Described by the press as "the most important film since An Inconvenient Truth," this full-length documentary explores the phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder and celebrates the ancient and sacred connection between humans and honeybees.

As a part of their Bee the Change Campaign, the filmmakers are looking for members to join their hive and host screenings and/or help create a buzz in a massive outreach movement aimed at raising awareness and affecting change. It’s really simple to get involved. To purchase a DVD visit their website.  

PLUS, as a Meaningful Media member, you get 10% off of the film! Enter the discount code "meaningful".

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MM Exec Director Welcomes Your Voice

I stand in awe of the world changing work our members - including you - are doing and want to see Meaningful Media feed your spirit and provide you with what you need to succeed. What re-energizes you? Empowers you? Inspires you to help one another - and have fun doing it? Our Advisory Board will be meeting in January to plan an ambitious year ahead. I invite you to drop me a line to let us know the best ways for us to fuel the important work you are doing out there.

In admiration and gratitude,
Emily Meyers

Community Spotlighting: Care to share? If you are a member and have something relevant and interesting going on, send us your story and we might feature it in our Community Spotlight Series. Email us!

Meaningful Opportunities

We recently launched a Leadership Corps program designed for inspired professionals who want to use their skills to make a difference while gaining valuable experience in social issue media. The Leadership Corps is an opportunity for like-minded professionals to join the Meaningful Media team. All Corps members who complete the program will receive a mention on our website and a lifelong membership to Meaningful Media. Click here for more information on how to apply and the types of opportunities available.

Meaningful Media is a vibrant network of people committed to changing the world through media. We do this by BRINGING TOGETHER creators, distributors, viewers and advocates of meaningful media; EMPOWERING members with tools and resources to succeed; RESHAPING the media landscape through research, education and dialogue.

Join the 3000+ people in our dynamic network, and start enjoying the benefits today. Members receive: INVITATIONS to our networking events, meaningful film screenings, seminars, workshops and panel discussions; ACCESS to our resources, including the Meaningful Movies Database, movie reviews and news updates.

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