Temple Contemporary’s Advisory Council—consisting of a diverse group of Philadelphians, including high school, Tyler and Temple University students, faculty, community activists, civic leaders and more—meets regularly to discuss pressing questions that inform our programming. At each meeting, our advisors vote on the questions that they feel have the greatest local relevance and international significance. One such question that Temple Contemporary is currently exploring in its programming is "Are we listening?"

"Are we listening?" 

With the national political climate polarized on an unprecedented scale and social media algorithms increasingly insulating us from perspectives we do not "like," there are diminishing opportunities to listen—really listen—to one another. The profound irony is that we have never in human history been better connected to such a diverse range of sources of information and individual perspectives. Are we losing patience with different or opposing opinions? Are we even hearing them anymore? Have we really stopped listening?

Temple Contemporary programming that is addressing this question ranges from Rob Blackson's Tyler class, "Visualizing Urgency: Are We Listening?" to the Stetson Bell Concert Series, which invites musicians from across Philadelphia to play a historic, neighborhood factory bell that has not been heard in decades. In Temple Contemporary's project space, you'll see works on view by artists Ada Trillo and Cannupa Hanska Luger, who are sharing stories of those whose voices are not often heard—including asylum seekers and those who've lost their lives at the U.S.-Mexico border, through their provocative works and artistic practices. 

Other ongoing questions that are informing Temple Contemporary's programming are as follows:

"What does it mean to be counted? Who counts?"

Up to $40 billion dollars will be reapportioned in accordance with the upcoming census. Based on the significant undercounting of Philadelphia’s disinvested neighborhoods in the 2010 census, this city is now cited as one of the most at risk counties in the state to be undercounted in the 2020 census.  How can we hold onto the histories and communities of our proud neighborhoods while living in one of the United States’ most rapidly gentrifying cities? Questions of citizenship, belonging and displacement are prevalent throughout Philadelphia and our nation’s borders. Recognizing that culture often leads policy, how can we as cultural producers lead in the effort to recognize, honor, and show who counts?

“What is play?”

Why is play only acceptable up until a certain age? Can we play through hard things? Can play be used as a tool to think through something else? At what age do we turn play into a commodity? What is the age that you need to have gear to play? How can we play more in work? Unleash people in their office. How do you assess play? What does it mean to introduce and create play in difficult environments? Race has a role in play. Playing quietly is different from loud play and it is interpreted differently in regards to race. How can this be re-interpreted? Our public education system is struggling to learn from play – taking out recess, gym, music and art class. Increasingly maturity is being falsely equated with a seriousness that is devoid of play and being playful. You can’t wear cat sweaters. 

• Have an important, relevant question? Consider joining Temple Contemporary's Advisory Council. Please contact Sarah Biemiller, associate director of exhibitions, at sarah.biemiller@temple.edu or 215.777.9138.

Whistling Orchestra.  Click here to see video
Spring 2019

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Learn about Temple Contemporary's commission "Symphony for a Broken Orchestra" here.

reForm
August 2015 - May 2016

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Vital Signs
October 2012 - ongoing

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Funeral For A Home
May 2013–August 2014

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Conversations on Curating

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