See Me Because Public campaign

Art Start Launches Large-Scale Public Transit Campaign Across New York City and Milwaukee with Sponsorship from Dr. Jart+, Herschel Supply Co. & Humanities NY

 
 

Art Start participant Kam with her portrait

What is the campaign?

The SEE ME BECAUSE public transit campaign is a multi-city initiative providing historically marginalized youth from New York City and Milwaukee with a large-scale platform sparking dialogue around youth identities and self-determination in a public space.

Art Start uses public space as a contemporary art gallery, where youth declare aloud and publicly why they should be seen and why their voice matters and has power.

The MTA and The Hop

During the months of July and August 2022, SEE ME BECAUSE was installed across New York's MTA subway system on live board digital screens and throughout Milwaukee's The Hop streetcar network courtesy of MKE Downtown. Art Start premiered a series of 20 black and white photographic portraits of local teens from both cities, accompanied by each individual's personal story as told in their own words.

New York Live-Board Subway Locations

  • Fulton Street

  • Atlantic Ave/Barclays

  • 14th Street and 8th Avenue

Milwaukee Streetcar Locations

  • Historic Third Ward WB (Public Market)

  • Cathedral Square EB

  • City Hall NB

  • Ogden/Jackson WB

  • Burns Commons

  • Jackson at Juneau SB

  • Wisconsin Ave SB

Photo captured in the 14th St MTA station

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

Kick-off events

In conjunction with the public transit campaign activation, Art Start hosted kick-off celebrations at New York's Samsung 837 and the Milwaukee Public Market on July 28th, 2022.

In NYC, Art Start completely took over 30+ of Samsung 837’s building in the Meatpacking District with multiple videos celebrating Art Start participant stories. In Milwaukee, at the Historic Third Ward WB Platform next to the Public Market, Art Start held a press conference in conjunction with 2 Story and Milwaukee Downtown with speeches from Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Downtown CEO Beth Weirick and Art Start staff and youth.

Partnership

This project would not be possible without the generous sponsorship and partnership from skincare brand Dr. Jart+, lifestyle brand Herschel Supply Co., nonprofit Humanities NY, Downtown Milwaukee BID #21 and Milwaukee’s Streetcar The Hop

Visit seemebecause.org to experience the living archive of these and more portraits and to inquire about how to support this project.

Project sponsors