PROOF’s 5th Annual Benefit Auction is a celebration of photography, and the capacity of art to promote social justice. The work of 60 esteemed photographic artists is up for auction, with the mission of sustaining PROOF’s innovative and essential work. By placing a bid in the auction, you, too, can be an “upstander”- an individual who takes action to support human rights. In the coming year, PROOF will work to build understanding of human rights issues that are obscured by international borders, or that are separated from us by barriers within our own communities. PROOF will expand its international mission, and bring an expanded The Legacy of Rape exhibit to India, but also give increased consideration to social justice issues at home in New York.
PROOF is dedicated to uncovering the world’s most important untold stories, and sharing them with the international community through photography exhibits and projects. PROOF unblinkingly considers difficult human rights issues such as child soldiers, rape as a weapon of war, and genocide, and allows survivors to reclaim their stories, and to promote healing and justice.
PROOF has pursued this mission around the world, to countries such as Iraq, India, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has brought its exhibits and educational programs to 16 countries and counting, including to domestic organizations such as Clark and Yale Universities. 2015 will see the expansion of PROOF’s successful The Legacy of Rape program with a new exhibit, Unearthed: Stories of Courage. Intended for display throughout India, the exhibit is designed to promote social and legislative change, by educating the public about the human toll of rape.
In the next year, PROOF will give renewed focus to human rights issues here in the United States, working to remind us that human rights must be defended at home- not just abroad. After a successful 2014 pilot program, Picture Justice will be relaunched for Summer 2015. Started in partnership with the UN International School, Picture Justice helps public school students to gain the skills and inspiration to use photography to promote human rights in their communities. By supporting PROOF, and participating in the 5th Annual Auction, you can help it to continue its mission to allow more students to participate in Picture Justice through an after school program.
Please join us June 11th at Swann Auction Galleries to celebrate PROOF and to help sustain its vital social justice work for another year. Tickets are now available at proof.org, and the auction is now open on Paddle8 (LINK). Thank you for your support.
PROOF: Media for Social Justice is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.