Artists for Truth launches its first project this June: a benefit exhibition featuring over 250 artworks by more than 150 artists hailing from Baltimore and across the United States. All artworks will be available to bid on via silent auction or to purchase at a “buy it now” price. This exhibition will raise funds for organizations that combat the spread of misinformation, teach news literacy, ensure the right to share and access factual information, and protect the rights of truth-tellers in our democracy.

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Join us for a CryptoParty to learn to protect your digital securities. Topics will include: encrypted communication, avoiding being tracked while browsing the web, and general security advice regarding computers and smartphones. To try the tools and apps directly at the CryptoParty, bring your laptop or smartphone. A one-hour training session will be followed by two hours of hands-on experience working with the tools introduced.CryptoParties are free and open for everyone, but especially those without prior knowledge, who haven’t yet attended one. lt will be led by volunteers in the Baltimore CryptoParty scene.

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Artists for Truth invites you to join us for an Edit-a-thon and training session presented by Art + Feminism. Contribute to fair representations of women and people of color in the arts by adding and editing content on the world’s largest online encyclopedia of knowledge. In a 2011 survey, the Wikimedia Foundation found that less than 10% of its contributors identify as female. This lack of female participation has led to an alarming dearth of content about women and art in the world’s most popular online research tool. People of all gender identities and expressions are invited to participate. No prior experience with Wikipedia is necessary. A one-hour training session will be followed by two hours devoted to editing Wikipedia content. A limited number of laptops will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Participants may also elect to bring their own laptop.

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Presented by Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT), this training session will discuss important issues relevant to an individual’s right to speak truth through peaceful protest and direct action.This session will provide an overview of your rights when you are stopped by or interact with the police including: your right to remain silent—not answer questions asked by police officers or government agents; your right to restrict the government from entering and searching your home without a warrant; and your right to speak freely and advocate for social justice.

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Presented by Enoch Pratt Free Library. The Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year in 2016 was “post-truth,” and it seems fake news is everywhere these days—which is why information literacy and media literacy are more important than ever. Join Ryan O’Grady, a librarian with the Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland State Library Resource Center, in understanding the role, value, and power of information. This training provides you with strategies for evaluating information sources and spotting fake news that you can use for yourself and with others you work with and care about.

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This discussion will explore a changing media landscape that includes misinformation, biased news, propaganda, and public distrust. How does information illiteracy manifest as a result of and tool for class warfare? The rise of “fake news” has a complex history; how did we get here? Moderated by Dr. Jared Ball, Professor of Media and Africana Studies, Morgan State University.Panelists:

• Mina Cheon – Global Political Pop New Media Artist, Scholar, and Educator
• Ryan O’Grady – Librarian, Enoch Pratt Free Library
• Nyasha Grayman-Simpson – Associate Professor of Psychology, Goucher
• Leslie Hoffecker – Journalist; Senior Editor, News Literacy Project
• D. Watkins – Author; Editor-at-large, Salon

How does living in a “post-truth society” affect organizations and our communities? This panel will explore challenges for advocacy, social justice, health, and equality. Moderated by Dr. Jared Ball, Professor of Media and Africana Studies, Morgan State University.Panelists:

• • Rob Ferrell – Organizer, Towson Freedom School
  • Jennifer Ferretti – Digital Initiatives Librarian, Maryland Institute College of Art
  • Dorcas Gilmore – Attorney, Baltimore Action Legal Team
  • Phong Le – Assistant Professor of Data, Mathematics and Computational Science, Goucher College
  • Rebecca Nagle – Artist, Co-Founder of FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture

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Join the Artists for Truth team in an open community visioning session. How can artists band together to defend and promote a fact-based democracy? Dialogue will be facilitated by Artists for Truth organizers.

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