Trust Transfer Project Featured in New David J. Sencer CDC Museum Exhibition about the Power of the Arts in Public Health Outreach

Trust Transfer Project Featured in New David J. Sencer CDC Museum Exhibition about the Power of the Arts in Public Health Outreach

“Trusted Messengers” exhibition showcases diverse and innovative works of art created to promote confidence in COVID-19 vaccines

Springfield, MA — Through a unique partnership between public health and the arts, Trust Transfer Project was one of 30 arts and culture projects that received support from the CDC Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts to develop works of art to educate the public and inspire confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. The participating organizations used their chosen art forms to translate public health information about the safety and importance of immunizations into an accessible, memorable and diverse body of work.

An exhibition at the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in Atlanta, GA titled Trusted Messengers: Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines Through Art is now showcasing original pieces from six of these projects, including Trust Transfer Project, a collaboration between the Springfield Cultural Partnership and Community Music School of Springfield.

Trust Transfer Project artwork in the Trusted Messengers’ Exhibit include paintings “Por Todos Vacunate” by José Gamaliel Crespo Rosado; “Sunday Dinners” and “Nothing is Stronger Than Sisterhood” by Susan Duncan; “We Are in this Together” by Darlene Savage; and “Brighter Days are Coming” and “Barber and Apprentice” by Gregory Ashley.

“We are so grateful to have been chosen to be included in this remarkable exhibit at such a prestigious museum,” said Vanessa Ford, Program Director of Trust Transfer Project. “Our hearts are full of gratitude for our amazing artists who came forward to shine a light of hope in the midst of our most difficult life challenges of the pandemic. We trusted them to deliver messages that inspired us to live again. Their creativity and courage has given us strength and encouraged our great city of Springfield to see a brighter tomorrow.”

“Our talented partner organizations have created meaningful, innovative projects that engaged and informed community members,” said Catherine Zilber, MSc, vice president for infectious disease programs at the CDC Foundation. “This new exhibit features impressive art and uplifting messaging that demonstrates the crucial role the arts can play in communicating about important public health issues.”

Trusted Messengers: Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines Through Art exhibit will run through spring 2023 and features work from Studio Two Three in Richmond, VA; Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective in St. Louis, MO; West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology in Grand Rapids, MI; Vermillion Cultural Association and Creative Care in Vermillion, SD; Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield Cultural Partnership in Springfield, MA; and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL.

 For more information about the exhibit or the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, please visit their website.

Funding for this effort is made possible through a subaward from the CDC Foundation and is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) financial assistance award totaling $2,500,000.00 with 100 percent funding from CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government. 

About the Trust Transfer Project: The Trust Transfer Project is a partnership between Community Music School of Springfield and the Springfield Cultural Partnership in Springfield, MA and is led by Program Director Vanessa Ford.  

 This initiative allows local artists to lead the way in health messaging that will directly impact the lives of their family, neighbors and friends, offering a unique opportunity for us to depend on one another to share and receive health messages in a creative and inspirational way. Initially designed to build trust through the eyes of those most impacted by Covid-19, Trust Transfer Project is also focused on community care centered around Mental Wellness and Food Justice by transforming the health of our communities one artistic message at a time.

 Springfield Cultural Partnership (SCP)’s mission is to foster civic engagement and arts education in the City of Springfield by creating and sustaining a vibrant cultural environment, authentically engaging institutions, artists, and the community. SCP connects artists, institutions and audiences to create and celebrate creativity in Springfield. The SCP is a 501c3 founded in 2016 and serves all of Springfield, MA. The SCP is a member based organization with a diverse mix of individuals and organizations, involved at a range of member levels, and all committed to supporting the vitality of our local cultural economy. The SCP also oversees an area of downtown Springfield that has been designated as the Springfield Central Cultural District by the Mass Cultural Council.

Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS)’ mission is to provide an equitable and inclusive center of excellence in music and arts education that empowers individuals, inspires creative passion, and promotes well-being in our greater community. We believe that arts education fosters respect and compassion for others, curiosity and a foundation for learning. CMSS programs include music lessons, ensembles, Prelude Preschool of the Arts, Sonido Musica public school partnerships, the Adaptive Music Program for students with disabilities, Creative Aging, Trust Transfer Project, Bridge Leadership Program, and CultureRx.  Our faculty of 60 distinguished music educators offer instruction at all levels in a wide range of instruments and genres. Since 1983, CMSS has created access to high quality music education for tens of thousands of families in Greater Springfield, awarding financial aid in excess of $2 million in addition to offering tuition-free music education programs.  Of our 2,000 students served annually at our downtown Springfield location and in partnership programs throughout the community, 70% receive free or reduced-cost instruction.