The Museum of Drug Policy is a pop-up cultural hub that includes an immersive art experience and special live programming looking at the impact of current drug policies on populations around the world.
The Museum will be open on Park Avenue in New York City for three days this month, during the United Nations General Assembly’s Special Session (UNGASS) on the world drug problem. Over 70 works of international art will be on display, including special installations by artists Hank Willis Thomas, Jesse Krimes, Edgardo Aragón and the Cause Collective.
Visitors from around the world are also invited to share their photos at the Living Wall installation and tell their stories in the Truth Booth. The Museum will feature daytime discussions and evening performances with a powerful lineup of speakers, panels, performances and keynote addresses that will take attendees on a journey exploring the real impact and human cost of drug policy in communities around the world.
Highlights include:
Tuesday, April 19
• Mothers from Mexico, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and the U.S. discuss how their children have been affected by global drug policy; from overdose to incarceration to solutions.
• International activists share stories from the Global South.
• “Nerdland Forever: Live With Melissa Harris-Perry” with special guests.
• Special musical performance by Grammy-nominated recording artist John Forté.
Wednesday, April 20
• Critically-acclaimed authors with international perspectives on the role of government and policy on the worldwide drug conversation.
• Discussion on the intersection of faith and drug policy with distinguished faith leaders.
• Film Screening: 2016 Academy Award nominated “Cartel Land” followed by Q&A with director, Matthew Heineman.
Thursday, April 21
• Panel discussion with global drug policy experts will focus on stories of healing and strategy around harm reduction.
• “Beats, Rhymes and Reform,” a night of spoken word poetry, hosted by Power 105’s Angie Martinez, with a special appearance by Russell Simmons and performances by poets: Mahogany Browne, MUMS, Jasiri X, Liza Jesse Peterson and Carlos Gomez.
Through art, conversations and experiential events, the Museum will showcase that the moment is now for drug policy reform and that damage caused by the war on drugs is evident across the world.
WHAT: Museum of Drug Policy Pop-Up Cultural Hub coinciding with UNGASS
WHERE: 245 Park Avenue, New York, New York (corner of Park Avenue & E 47th St.)
WHEN: April 19-21, 2016 Open 10:30 am to 9:00 pm Evening programming begins at 6:00pm with refreshments.
The Museum of Drug Policy is supported by the Open Society Foundations. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit: MuseumOfDrugPolicy.org.
