LibraryDesert Unity ProjectCommunity Storytelling Through Public Art: Designing a Mural of Resilience and Unity

Desert Unity Project

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Community Storytelling Through Public Art: Designing a Mural of Resilience and Unity

Last Updated: 04/14/2026

Case Organization

Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center

https://www.tjmhc.org/

Case Contributors

Case Disciplines

Community Organization and Social Action Organizational Culture Urban Planning

Skills & Expertise

Archival Research Budgeting Color Theory Application Community Engagement Concept Sketching Cultural Analysis Ethical Storytelling Grant Writing Historical Research Implementation Planning Inclusion & Representation Strategy Materials Planning Narrative Development Oral History Collection Participatory Design Partnership Development Project Management Public Art Analysis Site Analysis Stakeholder Facilitation Story Mapping Survey Design Symbolism & Iconography Design Urban Planning Considerations Visual Design Workshop Design

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Background & Objective

The challenge or opportunity you are trying to address for the organization.

The Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center is a cornerstone of historical preservation and cultural education in the American Southwest. As a community deeply shaped by Jewish heritage, migrant journeys, and interfaith cooperation, Tucson offers fertile ground for an artistic tribute to shared resilience.
Learning Objectives

This is what students will learn as they complete the case.

This case challenges students to design a public art initiative that operates at the intersection of history, identity, and community engagement. It requires balancing artistic vision with cultural responsibility, ensuring that storytelling is both meaningful and inclusive. Students will engage in applied research, participatory design, and implementation planning to create a mural concept that reflects community voices while addressing the social and historical weight of public memory. 
  •  Analyze historical and cultural narratives within Tucson’s Jewish community and broader interfaith context to inform meaningful storytelling 
  •  Evaluate how public art has been used to represent trauma, resilience, and collective identity across different communities 
  •  Design a mural concept that integrates symbolism, narrative structure, and visual composition to communicate themes of resilience and unity 
  •  Develop a community engagement strategy that incorporates stakeholder input through workshops, interviews, and participatory design methods 
  •  Assess ethical considerations in public storytelling, including representation, voice, and cultural sensitivity 
  •  Recommend materials, site considerations, and logistical requirements for executing a large-scale public mural 
  •  Develop an implementation plan that includes budgeting, partnerships, funding sources, and project timeline 
  •  Synthesize research, community insights, and design rationale into a cohesive proposal that positions public art as a tool for education and civic engagement
Key Action Items

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