ACLU award

Notes from the Drawing Board
Scott Schofield, Executive Artistic Director

Out North Honored by AK ACLU as 1 of 40 Heroes of Constitutional Rights

Last Saturday, January 22nd, I felt incredible gratitude and an overwhelming sense of pride to attend the 40th Anniversary Liberty Awards of Alaska's chapter of the ACLU.

Walking past the frighteningly uncivil and factually incorrect truth truck from fanatical anti-choice pundits (whose use of the Freedom of Speech gave me a taste of the discomfort many say they have felt about Out North's work), I was welcomed into the Dena'ina Center by a sparkling list individuals who have made Alaska - and indeed, the United States - a free, civil and excellent place to live. A place where speech and privacy are protected in the Constitution. A place where thousands have struck out to do something new and different to make their life, and the lives of many, better and more truly free.

Standing on the stage to receive an award on behalf of Out North, to say I felt proud would be the understatement of the century. Shoulder to shoulder with people who have not gone quietly when people in power told them to hush, who have not silently accepted censorship or other abuses of the rights which are inalienable to every American - suffice it to say I felt schooled in the importance of what it is we do at Out North.

At Out North we don't sit silent in the face of injustice, we make art to shine and shout about it. At Out North we speak out when those with power abuse those without: through film, live performance, visual art, and making our space available to community groups for meetings and events. We will never pick an easy subject just because it might sell more tickets. And we will never be censored: not by funding pulls, not by protests, and especially not by the chilling effect that such acts have wrought on too many art spaces around the country.

I can only say that, by the way, because of you: our community that has stepped up in the face of our 9th funding cut in 25 years to say out loud that you want Out North here. And because of the ACLU, who has 40 years of shining success at making sure that I can say never with confidence.

Furthermore, I can only say all of this because of the work of our founders, Jay and Gene Dugan-Brause, and the many brave and passionate individuals who have served on Out North's Board of Directors throughout the years. I can only say this becase of you, our audience community. Read here a deep bow in respect for the bravery, the longsighted vision, and the commitment to the arts that every one of you have demonstrated.
For as much as all of this is truly meaningful, let's remember how much fun practicing and protecting the First Amendment can be! THIS is why [we] rock.

- Scott Turner Schofield