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DURHAM, NC — Opening August 27, 2026, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University presents Turn the volume up!, an exhibition exploring how artists, activists, and everyday people have used their voices to challenge injustice, build communities, and shape public life. Named for hip-hop pioneer KRS-One’s anthem “Turn The Volume Up,” the show arrives as the nation marks its 250th anniversary and considers the ongoing work of democratic participation.
Bringing together works by influential artists including Robert Colescott, Carlos Vega, Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, Guerrilla Girls, and Sam Durant, Turn the volume up! examines the many ways people contribute to social change, from speaking out and documenting events to organizing movements and advocating for justice. The show is grounded in a simple yet powerful premise: seemingly ordinary actions can have extraordinary consequences. A vote, a petition, a protest sign, a photograph, a speech, or a work of art can become part of a larger movement capable of transforming communities and influencing history.
“At its heart, Turn the volume up! is about the power people already possess,” said Xuxa Rodríguez, PhD, Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Curator of Contemporary Art. “The artists in this exhibition show us that social change is often built through cumulative acts of participation. Whether through organizing, documenting, dissenting, or simply showing up for one another, individuals have the ability to affect the world around them. This show asks visitors to consider how they are contributing to the future they want to see.”
The exhibition’s title emerged after Rodríguez heard New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani quote the Bronx rapper KRS-One’s 2020 song, “Turn The Volume Up,” after his election victory. The reference crystallized the exhibition’s central premise: that individual voices, when amplified collectively, can shape public discourse and inspire civic action.
Organized into five thematic groupings—Remarks, Organize, Records, Dissents, and Petitions—the exhibition borrows language from both legislative procedure and grassroots organizing. Through photographs, prints, posters, sculptures, installations, and archival materials, featured artists examine how public dialogue is developed, challenged, documented, and transformed. Together, the works demonstrate how creative practice can serve as a form of civic engagement, amplifying voices that have often been excluded from official histories and public decision-making.
Presented alongside Nari Ward’s monumental We the People installation, Tall Tales and Short Stories: Depictions of the American Experience, and upcoming rare copies of the Declaration of Independence, Turn the volume up! encourages reflection on both the responsibilities and possibilities of participation in public life. Rather than presenting a singular vision of democracy, the exhibition offers a range of artistic perspectives on power, representation, and collective action. At a moment when communities across the country continue to debate how change happens, the exhibition asks what role each of us might play in creating a more equitable future.
Throughout its run,Turn the volume up! will be accompanied by public programs, gallery talks, and educational initiatives that further explore themes of civic engagement, community participation, and social change. The exhibition will be on view at the Nasher from August 27, 2026, through July 11, 2027. Admission is always free.
Turn the volume up! is organized by Xuxa Rodríguez, PhD, Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Curator of Contemporary Art, with support from Julianne Miao, Curatorial Associate.
This exhibition is made possible by the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, the Janine & J. Tomilson Hill Family Fund, the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Fund for Exhibitions, the Frank Edward Hanscom Quasi Endowment, and the John & Anita Schwarz Family Endowment.
For more information about the show, related programs, and museum membership, visit the Nasher Museum website.
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About the Nasher Museum of Art
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is a leading center for the arts in Durham, North Carolina, and a vital resource for both the Duke campus and the surrounding region. Designed by acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, the 65,000-square-foot museum has organized more than 125 cutting-edge exhibitions since its opening in 2005, many of which have traveled nationally and internationally. With a strong commitment to contemporary art, the Nasher’s collection emphasizes work by artists who have been historically underrepresented, reflecting its mission to shape a more inclusive art historical narrative. Deeply integrated into Duke’s academic life, the museum fosters interdisciplinary research, supports innovative teaching, and engages students and faculty in critical dialogue. The Nasher also welcomes broader audiences through vibrant community and K–12 programs, and has offered free admission to all visitors since 2022, thanks to the generosity of Jennifer McCracken New and Jason New. To date, more than 1.6 million people have experienced the museum’s exhibitions and programs. Guests can enjoy local fare at the Nasher Museum Café and shop art-inspired gifts at Parker & Otis. Learn more at nasher.duke.edu.