Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council’s new program, the Jewish Arts Collective, affectionately known as JAC, was inspired by the Jewish Artists’ Laboratory. A program that successfully engaged hundreds of artists over a 10-year period.
JAC explores the intersection of Judaism, contemporary art, and its integral role in the community. The creation of JAC was the result of an outgrowth of renewed interest from the Jewish arts community to once again be part of something both spiritually and creatively fulfilling.
There are many Jewish arts groups that exist within our community, convening both organically and more formally, offering creative and communal support, something many artists have come to rely on, especially in today’s climate.
JAC is another opportunity for Jewish artists to come together through a shared desire to learn, create and ideate, individually and communally. JAC members will engage in text study, explore new artistic challenges, and respond to many forms of creative expression. Members represent a wide range of Jewish multidisciplinary artists with a desire to:
- Spark new artistic thought and expand the creative process
- Learn and connect through meaningful conversations and interactions
- Explore new approaches to Jewish perspectives
The year-long program is framed through a specific theme, which is announced in advance of the program each year. This year’s JAC theme is Dreams. When we landed on the theme of dreams, we knew we had discovered the perfect topic to guide our first year of JAC.
Throughout the year, we will be studying various aspects of Dreams as they relate biblically, spiritually, and from contemporary perspectives. Three esteemed facilitators (Rabbi Jill Avrin, Rabbi John Carrier & Meryll Page) will each create a curriculum that embodies one of these aspects of Dreams. During the first JAC session in September, led by Rabbi Jill Avrin, we explored several of Jacob’s dreams. We discussed specific characteristics of his dreams (vs. visions), how they are interpreted, and reflected on what this means personally and artistically.
Artists will derive inspiration from our deep learning and shared dialogue with the goal of creating new artwork that will be showcased in a final exhibition and presentation by participating JAC members.
JAC offers weekly meetups, monthly study sessions, quarterly arts outings, pop-up events and a culminating exhibition and presentation. Additionally, there are JAC offerings that are open to the public. One example is the weekly meet ups, planned in partnership with JCreate. The 4th Monday of the month is open to the community to experience community building through lightly facilitated gatherings. If you are an artist, creative, hobbiest, or enthusiast, join us for these gatherings. Also, on October 27th, JAC will be hosting an event at the MIA – An Afternoon of Dreaming from 2-3:30 p.m. We will explore a wide array of artistic interpretations and create approaches to dreams throughout history during our private tour of the MIA’s permanent collection.
We could not be more excited that JAC has officially launched. We can’t wait to see you at some of the upcoming JAC events and opportunities. To learn more, visit the program’s website.
JAC is planned in partnership with Minnesota JCC, YourJewish, Hineni, and JCreate, a group by TC Jewfolk. Each of these organizations plays an integral and supportive role in the success of this program.
