What is a Scrollathon?
Scollathon® is a multimedia, collaborative creative project that brings together people from all walks of life to share their stories, hopes and dreams. Steven and William Ladd developed the idea of Scrollathon® through their own studio practice, based on hands-on use of found materials and techniques to create artworks of profound beauty and meaning.
What is a scroll?
Scrolls are made from two strips of fabric that are tightly rolled together around a wooden dowel and secured with a pin. The scrolls are then arranged in a frame and glued into place to make a finished work of art. During a Scrollathon® participants make a scroll, identify their work with initials, and contribute their piece to the larger whole.
How did the National Scrollathon get started?
The National Scrollathon project originated at the Kennedy Center. In 2019, as part of the festivities inaugurating the Center’s first expansion since 1971, the Ladd Brothers were invited to conduct a Scrollathon. The Scrollathon engaged over 750 local Washington DC residents in the creation of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow—a mural that is permanently displayed in the River Pavilion at the Center. At the installation of that piece, the idea of a national-level Scrollathon at the Kennedy Center was born, convening a vast assembly of Scrollathons from all across America.
Independent Phase: Participants make a scroll that is imbued with a personal story or statement. This one they keep, in the souvenir tin. They can stand in front of the group, if they want, share the name of the scroll, and tell the story that explains the name.
What are the phases of a Scrollathon?
Collaborative Phase: The second scroll is to be part of the larger artwork. It goes into a wooden frame in approximately the arrangement the participants want. The trays stay with the brothers, and their parents (!) do the gluing so that the installation is complete at the end of the project.
Who Can Host a Scrollathon?
A. A Program Host is a museum or other institution (e.g. Dallas Museum of Art, Los Angeles Lakers, Haskell Indian Nations University) located within the United States, its territories, or internationally, that is connected to a diverse community. We are looking for partners that can host at least four sessions with 25 participants each, over the course of a day in 2024 or 2025, and who have temporary or permanent spaces to display art. Program Hosts need to be able to work with our development team to secure funding.
Documentation Phase: All participants get their photographic portraits created in the photo studio. The portraits are both used for a Portrait Mural that accompanies the Collaborative masterwork, and in a Souvenir Publication participants get for their particular Scrollathon®.
What are the responsibilities of a Program Host?
A Program Host will…
Designate a Point Person to communicate with our team.
Designate up to a week to host the Scrollathon program onsite in 2024/2025 (or select an off-site location).
Provide two rooms (one the size of a classroom and the other can be a little smaller) during Scrollathon.
Provide two staff people to attend all Scrollathon sessions (just for safety).
Provide tables and chairs for 25 Participants.
Identify 4-20 Community Groups to provide Participants for the sessions. Sessions are 1-hour each with 25 Participants per session with 4 sessions per day.
Distribute and collect Program Participation Releases to all Participants through Community Groups.
Fund the Scrollathon program or work with our Development Team to secure funds.
Optional: Program Host can keep the collaborative artwork that will be created. Most do. Or we can work with them to donate the artwork to a museum or public institution/building.
Distribute the Souvenir Publication to Participants after the conclusion of the project.
Allow us to use photographic reproductions of the collaborative artwork at a major exhibition in 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts!
Do William and Steven Ladd lead all Scrollathons on site?
Yes.
If I host a Scrollathon, is my museum or organization required to host an exhibition by the Ladd Brothers?
No.
How will my organization be represented at the National Scrollathon exhibition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.?
Reproductions of the Collaborative Masterwork, Portrait Mural and Signature Plate made by your community at your institution’s Scrollathon will be installed at an exhibition that takes over the Kennedy Center campus from Memorial Day to Labor Day in 2026. Your organization’s name will also be listed on wall text related to the project and may be used with your permission in press releases and press articles.
What is National Word Ask?
National Word Ask is envisioned as a way that anyone who wants to can participate meaningfully in the Kennedy Center installation, at no cost and from anywhere in the country, by sharing a word via the project website that expresses their hopes and dreams for America at its Semiquincentennial.