N+T Asks: Listening locally, sparking artistic action

N+T Asks began in April 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These Zoom-based conversations confronted a monumental moment, as a community, without answers or an intended purpose other than to exchange and listen.

From April 3, 2020, through May 1, 2021, Season One through Season Three of N+T Asks, 48 incredible guests, and over 400 of you talked about the healing power of art, community needs, and the role of art-making in crisis. We all came together from far corners of the art world and fourteen local Boston neighborhoods to ask the big questions of our times. 

We now present Season Four of N+T Asks — in both virtual and in-person format — focused on memorials, creativity, and speculating new worlds. These series produced in partnership with the Goethe- Institut Boston, gather voices from Boston, Germany, and elsewhere to discuss the significance of monuments, memory, and artistic intervention.

Through N+T Asks, we continue highlighting the critical needs of our times and exploring opportunities for and examples of responsive creative expression. Watch or listen below, and leave your thoughts and perspectives in the comments. We want to keep moving the discussion forward with you. 

 
 

Season Four of N+T Asks focuses on creativity, memorials, and speculating new worlds. Beginning in March 2022, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Boston, we are holding a series of virtual and in-person conversations, designed to gather voices from Boston and Germany to discuss the significance of monuments in our communities today. 

These panel talks facilitated community conversations around symbolism and memorials in the public domain, helping to reimagine what the future of this landscape might look like through public art. 

Watch the recaps below.

Generous support for this panel series is being provided by New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA)

 
 

Watch the recaps

On March 22, 2022, we hosted the first in a series of panel discussions taking a closer look at the process behind imagining and building new monuments in public space. Moderated by Devin Morris of the Teacher's Lounge, in conversation with artists Ulf Aminde from Berlin and L'Merchie Frazier from Boston.

On April 19, 2022, at 7:30 pm N+T artist Juan Obando and Mischa Kuball from Germany had a lively conversation about how artists can intervene with monuments and create new modes of commemoration in a discussion moderated by Devin Morris of the Teacher’s Lounge. This in-person panel happened live at the Goethe-Institut Boston 170 Beacon Street.

Read More at the Blog
NT Asks, N+T Asks Season Four
Monuments + Money
NT Asks, N+T Asks Season Four

Co-hosted in partnership with Goethe-Institut Boston, N+T Asks: How are memorials (equitably) funded? On June 22, Kathrin Jentjens and Abigail Satinsky share their perspectives on collaborative public art projects and available funding opportunities. Moderated by Educator Devin Morris of the Teacher’s Lounge, this two-hour-long conversation challenges dated and inequitable social processes involved in the construction of collective memory and place-making.

Read More →
NT Asks, N+T Asks Season Four
NT Asks, N+T Asks Season Four
Counter Monuments
NT Asks, N+T Asks Season Four

Co-hosted in partnership with Goethe-Institut Boston, N+T Asks: What role do artists play in reimagining the construction of our public space? On April 19, Juan Obando and Mischa Kuball share their perspectives on counter monuments, archives, and intangible memorials. Moderated by Educator Devin Morris of the Teacher’s Lounge, this two-hour-long conversation challenges dated and inequitable social processes involved in the construction of collective memory and place-making.

Read More →
NT Asks, N+T Asks Season Four

Banner photo: A production photo of Liz Glynn’s Open House, 2018. Photo by Ryan McMahon (c).

 
 

In Season Three of N+T Asks, we asked artists and community leaders from six different Boston neighborhoods: What do you want your neighborhood to look like in 2030? Neighborhoods included Fort Point, West End, Roslindale, Beacon Hill, Egleston Square, and the South End. Learn more below about an exciting season that included our first-ever translated N+T Asks (Egleston Square)!!

 
 
Watch Previous conversations
N+T Asks: South End
N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks
N+T Asks: South End
N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks

In our final episode of Season 3 of N+T Asks, Executive Director Kate Gilbert is joined by two special guests to explore the history of the ever-evolving South End. We welcome artist and professor Mark Cooper, and Director of the Youth Development Program at IBA Boston, Pedro Cruz to chat all about the diverse and artistic South End.

N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks
N+T Asks: Egleston Square
N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks
N+T Asks: Egleston Square
N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks

On April 22, 2021, we visited one of Boston’s most vibrant neighborhoods— Egleston Square, and had Now + There’s first ever interpreted N+T Asks! Curator Leah Triplett Harrington is joined by Paloma Valenzuela, Writer/Producer/Director of the web series The Pineapple Diaries; Nakia Hill, Writers' Room Director at 826 Boston, and Writer/Producer; and Denise Delgado, Executive Director of Egleston Square Main Street.

N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks
N+T Asks: Beacon Hill
N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks
N+T Asks: Beacon Hill
N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks

On April 1, 2021, we virtually visited one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods to examine its past and reimagine its future! Join us in the streets of Beacon Hill with artist L’Merchie Frazier and resident Cathy Stone as Executive Director Kate Gilbert moderates an hour long conversation.

N+T Asks Season Three, N+T Asks
N+T Asks: Roslindale
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, West End, Roslindale, N+T Asks Season Three
N+T Asks: Roslindale
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, West End, Roslindale, N+T Asks Season Three

Whether you call it “Rozzie,” “Rozzy,” “the ‘Dale,” “the Village,” or something else entirely: we're still stirring up ideas for Roslindale’s future. On March 4, resident ceramicist Ana Crowley Noordzij and local Main Streets Exec. Director Alia Hamada Forrest shone a light on this urban oasis as we wondered: what will Boston be like in 10 years?

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, West End, Roslindale, N+T Asks Season Three
N+T Asks: West End
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Three, West End
N+T Asks: West End
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Three, West End

On February 18, 2020 for Season 3, Episode 2 of N+T Asks, we zoomed in on one of Boston’s most historically notorious, but today, oft-forgotten neighborhoods: the West End. With the help of West End Museum Curator/Board President and Gallery East co-founder, Duane Lucia; third-generation neighborhood resident, Chiara Cherin; and local photographer, Lolita Parker Jr. we discussed the West End’s past, current needs, and possible futures.

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Three, West End
N+T Asks: Fort Point
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Three
N+T Asks: Fort Point
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Three

For the Season 3 premiere of N+T Asks, we zoomed in on Fort Point; with the help of Midway Artist Collective Board of Directors member, Raber Umphenour, and resident multimedia artist, Dorothea Van Camp. There was too much to talk about — from artist housing, to the Boston art market, to the future of Boston artist communities — but we somehow managed to keep it to an hour.

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Three

Banner photo of Justin Favela’s ¡Provecho! (2020).

 
 

In Season Two of N+T Asks, we asked artists and community leaders from eight different Boston neighborhoods: What does your neighborhood need right now? Neighborhoods included Charlestown, East Boston, Roxbury, Grove Hall, Fields Corner, Allston, Mattapan, and South Boston.

N+T Asks Seasons One and Two were supported by the generous contributions of individuals and foundations who sustain our work of building a public art city, including The Boston Foundation and NEFA’s Fund For the Arts.

 
 
Watch Previous conversations
N+T Asks: What does Southie need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Southie need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, August 6, 2020, we hosted our fifteenth “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, artist Michael Dowling and Denise Molina Capers of South Boston en Acción, “What does South Boston need right now?”

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Mattapan need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Mattapan need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, July 30, 2020, we hosted our fourteenth “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, artist/designer Ayana Mack and entrepreneur/organizer Thuwaiba Thezine, “What does Mattapan need right now?”

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Allston need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Allston need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, we hosted our thirteenth “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, artist Ross Miller, Editor-in-Chief of Allston Pudding Christine Varriale, and Executive Director of Allston Village Main Streets Alex Cornacchini, "what does Allston need right now?"

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Fields Corner need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Fields Corner need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, July 16, 2020 we hosted our twelfth “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, artist Tran Vu and Lisette Le, Executive Director of Viet Aid, “What does Fields Corner need right now?”

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Grove Hall need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Grove Hall need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, July 9, 2020, we hosted our eleventh “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, local artists and educators Johnetta Tinker and Larry Pierce, "What does Grove Hall need right now?"

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Roxbury need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Roxbury need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, July 2, 2020, we hosted our tenth “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, Roxbury Cultural District’s Anita Morson Matra and local artists Ifé Franklin and Chanel Thervil, "What does Roxbury need right now?"

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does East Boston need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does East Boston need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On Thursday, June 25, 2020, we hosted our eighth “N+T Asks” conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, Gladys Oliveros, Director of East Boston Main Streets, and local artist Veronica Robles, of Veronica Robles Cultural Center, "What does East Boston need right now?"

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Charlestown need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
N+T Asks: What does Charlestown need right now?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two

On June 18, 2020, we hosted our eighth N+T Asks conversation. This week, Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, Sarah Coughlin (LICSW, LADC-I), Director, and Mswati Hanks, Youth Prevention Coordinator, of the Charlestown Coalition; and local artist Maria Molteni: “What does Charlestown Need Right Now?”

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season Two
 
 

In Season One of N+T Asks, we focused on imagining new forms of publicness and the role of art in the early days of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We explored questions around self and community care, arts activism, and art making in times of crisis.

N+T Asks Seasons One and Two were supported by the generous contributions of individuals and foundations who sustain our work of building a public art city, including The Boston Foundation and NEFA’s Fund For the Arts.

 
 
Watch Previous conversations
N+T Asks: When will we stop being afraid?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: When will we stop being afraid?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One

On May 15, 2020, we hosted our seventh N+T Asks conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you and our guests, artist and creator of Public Trust Paul Ramirez Jonas and President of the Lewis Family Foundation, Juma Crawford, "When will we stop being afraid?" Click to watch or listen to the full conversation.

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: Is arts activism enough?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: Is arts activism enough?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One

On May 8, 2020, we hosted our sixth N+T Asks conversation. This week Executive Director Kate Gilbert asked you, Nia Evans, Director of Boston Ujima Project, and Steve Lambert, artist and Director + Co-founder of The Center for Artistic Activism, "Is arts activism enough?" Click to watch or listen to the full conversation.

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: Can today’s crisis spark tomorrow's cultural equity?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: Can today’s crisis spark tomorrow's cultural equity?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One

On May 1, 2020, we hosted our fifth N+T Asks conversation. This week Assistant Curator Leah Triplett Harrington asked you and our guests, artists Destiny Polk and Rob “Problak” Gibbs and Executive Director of Amplify Latinx Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, "Can today’s crisis spark tomorrow's cultural equity?" Click to watch or listen to the full conversation.

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: How can art offer hope to artists and the public?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: How can art offer hope to artists and the public?
N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One

On April 24, 2020, we hosted our fourth N+T Asks conversation. This week Assistant Curator Leah Triplett Harrington asked you and our guests Stephanie Cardon and Charla Jones, "How does art offer hope to artists and the public?" Click to watch or listen to the full conversation.

N+T Asks, big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: What can artists do right now?
N+T Asks, conversation series, big questions, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: What can artists do right now?
N+T Asks, conversation series, big questions, N+T Asks Season One

On April 17, 2020, we welcomed artist and curator Rachel Allen, social change designer and founder of DS4SI, Kenny Bailey, and over 80 of you into a conversation exploring the question: “What can artists do right now?”

N+T Asks, conversation series, big questions, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: What does "care" mean right now?
big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: What does "care" mean right now?
big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks, N+T Asks Season One

We were glad to have special guests artist Stephen Hamilton (2018 Public Art Accelerator and creator of The Founders Project) and Tiffany Cogell, a driven advocate and community organizer (and one of the powerful women featured in Elisa Hamilton’s 2017 project Slideshow) join us for our second installment of N+T Asks and help us answer: “What does care mean right now?”

big questions, conversation series, N+T Asks, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: What does "public" mean right now?
conversation series, big questions, N+T Asks, N+T Asks Season One
N+T Asks: What does "public" mean right now?
conversation series, big questions, N+T Asks, N+T Asks Season One

On April 3, 2020, we launched our new online conversation series "N+T Asks." We were excited to welcome artist Silvia Lopez Chavez, Program Director of Public Art at New England Foundation for the Arts, Kim Szeto, and more than 75 participants from across the cultural sector as we asked: “What does public mean right now?”

conversation series, big questions, N+T Asks, N+T Asks Season One

Banner photo of Silvia Lopez Chavez’s Patterned Behavior (2017).