Art & Conversation

An online discussion game

What Does It Mean To Be An American?

This conversation game is designed to help you and your friends, neighbors, colleagues and strangers explore the question: what does it mean to be an American? The game includes 12 images and sixteen prompts that can be mixed and matched to spark new conversations around community, personal beliefs, art, politics, identity, civic life, democracy, and more.

This game was created by a group of university art museums from across the country who believe that museums play an important role in strengthening communities and encouraging civic participation. Our museums form a network of civic spaces where people can come together, express themselves, learn to disagree, build stronger bonds, and develop understanding across differences. Each museum contributed an artwork from its collection that evokes the culture, politics, and history of the USA. Through December 2024, you can visit the UMMA Shop to pick up a free print version of the game (or print your own!).

Print & Play

Download our PDF version and create a physical Art & Conversation Deck of Cards.

Download

How to Play

Group Exercise

As a group, choose one image to discuss. Click the [+] icon under the image to reveal two random discussion prompts. Discuss as a group. Refresh prompts if desired.

Solo Reflection

Select an image that strikes you. Click the [+] icon under the image to reveal two random discussion prompts, refresh the prompts if desired. Journal your thoughts.

More Ways to Play

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SUPPORT

Designed by the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Lead support is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

with contributions from

Chazen Museum of Art (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Hammer Museum (University of California, Los Angeles), Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (University of Oregon), Krannert Art Museum (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), MSU Broad Art Museum (Michigan State University), Palmer Museum of Art (Penn State), Sheldon Museum of Art (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), Stanley Museum of Art (University of Iowa), University of Maryland Art Gallery, and Weisman Art Museum (University of Minnesota).

Discussion prompts created in collaboration with the University of Michigan Ginsberg Center for Community Service & Learning.

ARTWORK CREDITS

Joseph Patrick, Ana Mendieta, 1969, oil on canvas. Collection of the Stanley Museum of Art, University of Iowa, Gift from the Family of Joe and Genie Patrick, 2020.36

Jacob Lawrence, Confrontation at the Bridge, 1975, gouache on paper. Collection of the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State, Bequest of James R. and Barbara R. Palmer, 2019.77. © 2024 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Richard Mock, We the People of the United States, 1987, linocut. Collection of the Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Gift of the artist, U-4089.1987

Kota Ezawa, National Anthem (Denver Broncos), 2019, transparency in lightbox. Collection of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University, Purchase funded by the Emma Grace Holmes Endowment, © Kota Ezawa; Courtesy of the artist, Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, and RYAN LEE Gallery, New York. 2023.10.1

Roger Shimomura, American Alien #3, 2006, acrylic on canvas. Collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, University of Oregon, Museum purchase through the Hartz FUNd for Contemporary Art, 2020:7.1

Yolanda Andrade, Marcha gay, 1984, gelatin silver print. Collection of the Hammer Museum, University of California, Los Angeles, Purchased through the Board of Advisors Acquisition Fund. © Yolanda Andrade

Elizabeth Catlett, Three Women of America, 1990, color screenprint. Collection of the Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Gift of Evelyn Salk, 2001-14-2. © 2024 Mora-Catlett Family / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY

John Steuart Curry, Our Good Earth, 1942, oil on hardboard. Collection of the Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Gift of the U.S. Treasury Department to the College of Agriculture to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, 3.1999.1

Wangari Mathenge, The Ascendants VII (Local Natives), 2020, oil on canvas. Collection of the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Purchased with funds given by Bob Mersky, 2021.8

Patrick Martinez, Psychic Friends (Malcolm X), 2022, neon. Collection of the University of Maryland Art Gallery, Courtesy of the artist and Charlie James Gallery, Los Angeles. © 2022 Patrick Martinez ; Photo © 2022 Yubo Dong @ofphotostudio

Doug Webb, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness, ca. 1985, screenprint. Collection of the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Gift of Jack A. and Noreen Rounick, 2004/2.40

Andrea Carlson, I’ll Cut a Hole, 2022, oil, acrylic, gouache, ink, marker, and graphite on paper. Collection of the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Courtesy of the artist, 2022/2.16