Tówla (Root): Shifting Consciousness in Native Arts Practice

Community-Engaged Research Social Impact Collaborative Exploratory Grant

Tówla is a unique collaboration between the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and UCLA, in partnership with Southern California Native writers and poets associated with Great Oak Press, Pechanga Band of Indians. LACMA sought our guidance on how Indigenous plant gardens can address longstanding equity issues: the integration of Indigenous expressive arts and knowledge with curatorial programming and educational outreach. We hosted two curated convenings held in the fall and spring of academic year 2024/2025, with one convening addressing Indigenous ecological issues occurring at the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden (fall 2024) and the other focusing on Indigenous arts and curatorial practices (spring 2025) occurring at LACMA. The expressive power of poetry and creative writing will be integrated into program planning.