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Similar Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Holocaust Museum | ||
Embracing Our Differences, or Coexistence, Inc., is a nonprofit organization based in Sarasota, Florida, United States. Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences has had an outdoor juried international art exhibit featuring 39 billboard size images created by local, national and international artists, writers and students reflecting their interpretations of the theme "enriching lives through diversity." "Since 2004, more than 170,000 students have participated in Embracing Our Differences education initiatives. Many of the 30,304 students that participated in 2014 received free field trips to the exhibits."
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Awards are given for "Best-in-Show Adult", "Best-in-Show Student", and "People’s Choice" categories, with the last chosen by visitors to the exhibit. Adult winners each receive $1,000; students receive $1,000 to be directed to their school’s art program.
Exhibit locations
Embracing Our Differences' exhibits are located at Sarasota's Bayfront and Bradenton's Riverwalk for 2 months from the beginning of April to the end of May.
The mission of Embracing Our Differences is to "use the arts as a catalyst for creating awareness and promoting, throughout our community, the value of diversity as well as the benefits of inclusion, and the significance of the active rejection of hatred and prejudice."
Teacher workshops
Embracing Our Differences provides a variety of teacher workshops throughout the school year that are open to all educators. "Designed to provide curriculum-aligned lesson plans and other resource materials, participating teachers discover new and innovative methods of engaging students in critical thinking while creating the perfect environment for a rich discussion on the value of diversity."
Since 2012, Embracing Our Differences has held a two-day art teacher retreat that is presented in partnership with the Ringling College of Art and Design and the Curriculum and Instruction Department of the Sarasota County School District. "The two-day retreat is focused on reinvigorating art educators’ creativity while teaching new skills and strategies for inspiring students to explore the concepts of prejudice and diversity."
Awards
"The President’s Volunteer Service Award is issued annually by Points of Light Institute and the Corporation for National and Community Service on behalf of the President of the United States to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation."
"The award honors a Sarasota organization that has embraced world understanding and respect through extraordinary work or volunteer service."