Sarah Edmands Martin was awarded Grant-in-Aid of Research and Creative Activity by IU's Office of the Vice Provost for Research for her project "Ongoing Matter".

“Ongoing Matter” is a multi-platform, traveling collection of new poster designs that mobilizes political engagement with the Report On The Investigation Into Russian Interference In The 2016 Presidential Election, or, as it is more colloquially known, the Mueller Report. These contemporary poster designs seek to make the Report accessible, and thus make the possibility of genuine, thoughtful, and passionate engagement with its findings possible. The show illuminates the major threats to democracy cited in the Mueller Report. The collection will travel around the United States (first at the Grunwald Gallery in December, and then four additional exhibitions already confirmed for the next 5 months). A living showcase of current political artefacts, “Ongoing Matter” seeks to empower citizens at a crucial moment in the democratic experience (pre-2020 presidential elections). As graphic designers, the artists in this exhibition consider their charge one of emancipation: using the art of communication to reveal, persuade, and propel action. This project is non-partisan; even if the audience has varied ideologies, the ultimate goal is to energize citizens to participate in their own democracy. “Ongoing Matter” is concerned with preserving democracy, protecting integrity, and sharing knowledge.