ART: By Any Means Necessary

Attend a Miami screening of a new documentary that explores the crucial role of artistic freedom and creative spaces in communities. Filmmaker Rachelle Salnave’s ART: By Any Means Necessary will be shown on Saturday, June 21 at the Overtown Performing Arts Center.

This bold documentary highlights the stories of two distinct artist communities: former students who have become custodians of a renowned film school in Jacmel, Haiti, and a group of artists in Guadeloupe who revitalized an abandoned cultural center. Both narratives frame art as a human right and emphasize that access to creative spaces is critical for cultural survival and community well-being.

Now arriving in Miami, the film and its accompanying impact campaign are presented in the spirit of Juneteenth. In partnership with the Public Humanities Lab at Florida International University, this public event will include a film screening, live music and a town hall-style panel. The evening aims to spark conversation around cultural freedom, civic engagement and the future of artist-driven spaces in the face of funding cuts, institutional threats, and censorship.

Salnave, a South Florida-based filmmaker known for her focus on the Black global experience, developed the Art Advocacy Campaign with Rebecca Friedman, founding director of FIU’s Public Humanities Lab, and Gina Margillo, a filmmaker and human rights advocate known for her work in social change communication.

Following the screening, a panel discussion titled Art at a Time of Censorship will offer reflections on the local relevance of these global stories and the possibilities for cultural resistance and preservation in Miami. This multi-country campaign is expected to culminate in a published inquiry based on the insights gathered throughout its tour.