The national exhibition “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” is coming to Staten Island

STATEN ISLAND, NY – The Voices and Votes: Democracy in America The Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) exhibit makes its next stop on Staten Island and will be on display at the Alice Austen House in Rosebank through February 7, 2025.

The exhibition is part of the Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between SITES, state humanities councils across the country, and local host institutions. It was adapted from the exhibition American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith, currently on view at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington DC

The traveling exhibition includes many of the same dynamic elements: historical and contemporary photographs; instructional and archival videos; “Engaging multimedia interactive elements and historical objects such as campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia and protest materials,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), who helped bring the exhibit to the District.

“As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this traveling exhibit focused on educating our country is the perfect way for our community to learn more about our democratic process,” Malliotakis said. “I was proud to work with the Smithsonian to bring the Trump-authorized Women’s History Museum to the National Mall, and I encourage everyone to visit the Alice Austen House during this exhibition to reflect on the foundations of our nation’s progress “We have made in building a government that represents the diverse voices of the American people.”

The themes of the “Voices and Votes” exhibition include:

• the principles and events that inspired the drafters of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution;
• the fight for voting rights and equal participation in our democracy;
• freedoms and obligations of citizens;
• the formal and informal processes of our political systems;
• Music, performance and visual arts as expressions of democracy;
• Protests and actions beyond the ballot, including civil rights movements and the struggles of historically disadvantaged people;
• and engaging new American citizens.

“Alice Austen House looks forward to collaborating on this project,” said Victoria Munro, Executive Director of Alice Austen House. “It allows us to develop complementary programs that celebrate Alice Austen’s role in organizing and building communities while recognizing the contributions of other women, both from her time and throughout history, to the advancement of American democracy.”