Written by Justun Dorsey, Education and Outreach Coordinator
ACPA students in front of their exhibit. Names of students from left to right: (Top Row) Lia, Artemis, Miley. (Bottom Row) Rontesia, Taylor, BB.
Democracy is essential to giving people a voice in shaping the world around them. By uplifting diverse perspectives, communication is strengthened and different experiences, cultures, and viewpoints can be heard and valued. These ideas are at the core of the NVMM. This past fall, I had the pleasure of being a Smithsonian Virtual Exchange Facilitator for the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange (DiDVE) Program. The NVMM, alongside participating students from Arts and College Preparatory Academy (ACPA) came together to explore the question:
“How has your community played a role in 250 years of the American experience?”
The DiDVE is a program created by the Smithsonian Institute to foster communication between people around the United States. This initiative encourages students, along with educational institutions in their surrounding area, to get connected with their communities while interacting with a group from another part of the country. The hope is that everyone involved builds a deeper respect for others, furthering their exploration of community stories, civic engagement, and diverse experiences. By the end of the program, they completed a project showcasing what they learned.
The students participated in numerous activities over the course of eight weeks of after-school programming. Through collaboration with the Aerospace Museum of California and students from John Adams Academy in Roseville, California, they virtually met to share commonalities and differences about each of their respective environments. We held a Veteran Q&A for both groups, which included two Veterans in Ohio and one in California. They learned about what motivated them to serve, their experiences in the service, and how it impacted their return to civilian life and beyond. Students also participated in a writing workshop and viewed example projects from past DiDVE participants as inspiration for their own.
Students and facilitator with veterans from Q&A discussion and students + one veteran online from John Adams Academy. Names from left to right: (Top Row) Paul, Rontesia, Miley, BB, Artemis, Daniel, Ben. (Bottom Row) Justun.
Students trying on uniforms at the museum. Names form left to right: Artemis, BB, Miley, Taylor, Rontesia, Lia.
For their projects, the students were tasked with selecting a Veteran of their choice to interview. They then explored connections between their chosen individual’s life and their community. This could include military impressions, what they did upon the return to civilian life and how they impacted the world around them. They were also able to choose which creative medium they wanted to craft. At the conclusion of the program, students created six works, including poems, posters, and photographs. After presenting them to their fellow classmates, they added another achievement to their portfolios: Having their work displayed in a national museum!
In April, the students visited the NVMM for an in-person field trip, which was also the launch of their exhibition. Their work was officially displayed to the public on April 17, 2026. We are proud of their work and dedication to learning more about those who have served and the neighborhoods that they call home. The NVMM x DiDVE exhibition will be on display until May 31, 2026.
Students DiDVE projects on display at NVMM.
