Resources
Various community belonging efforts have gotten underway since 2021, especially in the areas of arts and organizational culture. Here are a few of those efforts:
Voices of Belonging
Our community is engaged in an important effort to create a community of belonging. This exhibition illustrates belonging through the recorded, unrehearsed, personal stories of eleven, self-selected and local participants. They were asked to share their understandings and experiences of belonging.
This project was done in partnership with the following:
WNIJ Northern Public Radio
Northern Illinois University Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development
Healing Illinois
DeKalb County Community Foundation
DeKalb County Mental Health Board
Arts in Action
Arts in Action is a project developed by the DeKalb County History Center and Ellwood House Museum to investigate the history of race relations in DeKalb County through historical research and a collaboration with contemporary artists. Nine visual artists and five poets were selected for the initial project. Their work will be presented through the themes of fear, exclusion, community, and hope. Community members have participated by telling their stories or by assisting with research.
Arts in Action is designed to be a platform for community members and artists to tell their stories, especially for those whose voices have not always been heard. The project goal is to build a stronger community by sharing, listening, and understanding the stories of everyone in the community. The work will be ongoing.
For more information, contact Michelle Donahoe at the DeKalb County History Center at 815-895-5762 or michelle@dekalbcountyhistory.org.
Community Mural
The City of DeKalb commissioned a mural to celebrate belonging. The mural was inspired by community member ideas gathered at workshops facilitated by the artist, Danielle Casali. Casali and hundreds of community volunteers created the mural from start to finish.
