Spotlight on Embracing Our Differences

Embracing Our Differences (EOD) is a nonprofit organization based in Sarasota, Florida,  founded in 2004. I was introduced to EOD after doing a Google search for quotation writing competitions. I didn’t know if this was something that existed or not. I was idealistic. Imagine my surprise when I was directed to EOD’s website and found what I was looking for, and much more. The organization’s mission statement is: “Through the transformative power of the arts, we educate and inspire to create a better world.” Essentially, it supports artistic expression as a path to social change. In service of this cause, EOD offers a number of resources to educators and students, such as workshops, lesson plans, and free field trips.

Reading Art is an online professional development course that EOD offers to teachers. It is to help them develop the skills to “[intentionally] look, [critically] think, and [meaningfully] talk about art.” Upon completing this course, teachers will be able to transfer these skills to their students. Furthermore, EOD recognizes the importance of students having a safe space where they can be themselves and, in turn, get to know their peers more intimately (beyond their prejudgments). Thus, the organization created Unity Day, a full-day workshop for high school students where they engage in team-building activities. The goal is for them to be able to “embrace their similarities and respect their differences.” 

Lesson plans are an additional resource that teachers and students can access. Lesson plans are framed around an essential question related to a learning objective. I will use a lesson plan for grades 9-12 as an example. This lesson plan’s learning objective is social awareness and its essential question is: “How can social awareness help us understand how individuals experience the world?” Teachers first have students attempt to answer this question on their own. Then, they introduce the students to texts (artwork and literature) that address this question. Finally, they have students analyze these texts, using the essential question as a guide, and discuss their interpretations as a class. Virtual lesson plans are available for homeschooled students. 

Embracing Our Differences hosts an annual international art exhibition, the theme of which is “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” The organization provides a list of possible topics that address this theme, such as racial differences, religious differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, equality, human rights, and bullying. However, because the theme is so broad, alternative interpretations are welcomed and encouraged. The organization presents two separate competitions for the exhibition—one for the submission of artwork and another for the submission of a statement, both of which follow the theme. The deadline for submissions is October 5th. In late November, a jury will select and match 50 works of art with 50 statements.