the problem we all live with presentation

'The Problem We All Live With' by Norman Rockwell

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On November 14, 1960, six-year-old  Ruby Bridges  attended William J. Frantz Elementary School in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. It was her first day of school, as well as New Orleans' court-ordered first day of integrated schools.

If you weren't around in the late '50s and early '60s, it may be difficult to imagine just how contentious was the issue of desegregation. A great many people were violently opposed to it. Hateful, shameful things were said and done in protest. There was an angry mob gathered outside of Frantz Elementary on November 14. It wasn't a mob of malcontents or the dregs of society — it was a mob of well-dressed, upstanding housewives. They were shouting such awful obscenities that audio from the scene had to be masked in television coverage.

The 'Ruby Bridges Painting'

Ruby had to be escorted past this offensiveness by Federal marshals. Naturally, the event made the nightly news and anyone who watched it became aware of the story. Norman Rockwell was no exception, and something about the scene — visual, emotional, or perhaps both — lodged it into his artist's consciousness, where it waited until such time as it could be released.

In 1963, Norman Rockwell ended his long relationship with "The Saturday Evening Post" and began working with its competitor "LOOK." He approached Allen Hurlburt, the Art Director at "LOOK," with an idea for a painting of (as Hurlburt wrote) "the Negro child and the marshals." Hurlburt was all for it and told Rockwell it would merit "a complete spread with a bleed on all four sides. The trim size of this space is 21 inches wide by 13 1/4 inches high." Additionally, Hurlburt mentioned that he needed the painting by November 10th in order to run it in an early January 1964 issue.

Rockwell Used Local Models

The child portrays Ruby Bridges as she walked to Frantz Elementary School surrounded, for her protection, by Federal marshals. Of course, we didn't know her name was Ruby Bridges at the time, as the press had not released her name out of concern for her safety. As far as most of the United States knew, she was a nameless six-year-old African-American remarkable in her solitude and for the violence her small presence in a "Whites Only" school engendered.

Cognizant only of her gender and race, Rockwell enlisted the help of then-nine-year-old Lynda Gunn, the granddaughter of a family friend in Stockbridge. Gunn posed for five days, her feet propped at angles with blocks of wood to emulate walking. On the final day, Gunn was joined by the Stockbridge Chief of Police and three U.S. Marshals from Boston.

Rockwell also shot several photographs of his own legs taking steps to have more references of folds and creases in walking men's pant legs. All of these photographs, sketches, and quick painting studies were employed to create the finished canvas.

Technique and Medium

This painting was done in oils on canvas, as were all of Norman Rockwell's other works . You will note, too, that its dimensions are proportionate to the "21 inches wide by 13 1/4 inches high" that Allen Hurlburt requested. Unlike other types of visual artists, illustrators always   have space parameters in which to work.

The first thing that stands out in "The Problem We All Live With" is its focal point: the girl. She is positioned slightly left of center but balanced by the large, red splotch on the wall right of center. Rockwell took  artistic license  with her pristine white dress, hair ribbon, shoes, and socks (Ruby Bridges was wearing a plaid dress and black shoes in the press photograph). This all-white outfit against her dark skin immediately leaps out of the painting to catch the viewer's eye.

The white-on-black area lies in stark contrast to the rest of the composition. The sidewalk is gray, the wall is mottled old concrete, and the Marshals' suits are boringly neutral. In fact, the only other areas of engaging color are the lobbed tomato, the red explosion it has left on the wall, and the Marshals' yellow armbands.

Rockwell also deliberately leaves out the Marshals' heads. They are more powerful symbols because of their anonymity. They are faceless forces of justice ensuring that a court order (partially visible in the left-most marshal's pocket) is enforced — despite the rage of the unseen, screaming mob. The four figures form a sheltering bulwark around the little girl, and the only sign of their tension lies in their clenched right hands.

As the eye travels in a counter-clockwise ellipse around the scene, it is easy to overlook two barely-noticeable elements that are the crux of "The Problem We All Live With." Scrawled on the wall are the racial slur, "N----R," and the menacing acronym, " KKK ."

Where to See 'The Problem We All Live With'

The initial public reaction to "The Problem We All Live With" was stunned disbelief. This was not the Norman Rockwell everyone had grown to expect: the wry humor, the idealized American life, the heartwarming touches, the areas of vibrant color — all of these were conspicuous in their absence. "The Problem We All Live With" was a stark, muted, uncomplicated composition, and the topic! The topic was as humorless and uncomfortable as it gets.

Some previous Rockwell fans were disgusted and thought the painter had taken leave of his senses. Others denounced his "liberal" ways using derogatory language. Many readers squirmed, as this was  not  the Norman Rockwell they had come to expect. However, the majority of "LOOK" subscribers (after they got over their initial shock) began to give integration more serious thought than they had before. If the issue bothered Norman Rockwell so much that he was willing to take a risk, surely it deserved their closer scrutiny.

Now, nearly 50 years later, it is easier to gauge the importance of "The Problem We All Live With" when it first appeared in 1964. Every school in the United States is integrated, at least by law if not in fact. Although headway has been made, we have yet to become a colorblind society. There are still racists among us, much as we may wish they weren't. Fifty years, half a century, and still the fight for equality continues. In light of this, Norman Rockwell's "The Problem We All Live With" stands out as a more courageous and prescient statement than we originally supposed.

When not out on loan or touring, the painting can be viewed at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

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Singulart Magazine > Art History > Artworks under the lens > Exploring Norman Rockwell’s The Problem We All Live With (1964)

Exploring Norman Rockwell’s The Problem We All Live With (1964)

Alright folks, gather around because we’re about to dive into the world of Norman Rockwell , the granddaddy of American art. Picture this: charming illustrations, whimsical scenes, and a sprinkle of nostalgia—all brought to life by the master himself. But hold onto your hats because amidst the laughter and smiles, Rockwell had a knack for hitting us right in the feels with some real talk. Enter “ The Problem We All Live With ” (1964), a masterpiece that’s more than just colors on canvas—it’s a punch in the gut, wrapped in a warm hug, and delivered straight to your soul. So buckle up, folks, ’cause we’re about to take a wild ride through art history.

Who was Norman Rockwell?

Norman Rockwell, born in 1894, was an American painter and illustrator whose works have become synonymous with the country’s cultural heritage. Known for his keen observation and portrayal of everyday life, Rockwell’s art captured the spirit of American society with warmth, humor, and pathos.

FUN FACT: Norman Rockwell was an avid collector of toy soldiers! Rockwell had a passion for these miniature warriors and amassed a sizable collection throughout his life.

The Career of Norman Rockwell

Rockwell’s career spanned six decades, during which he created more than 4,000 individual works. His most famous works were his cover illustrations for “The Saturday Evening Post,” which were beloved by the American public for their charm and simplicity, yet profound insight into the human condition.

What is Happening in The Problem We All Live With (1964)?

Here we go, people, hold on tight for a rocking trip through the Art History with Norman Rockwell as our guide and leader! Picture this: It is 1964, and Rockwell, who is known as the artist who mastered the art of depicting everyday life with a twist, chooses to paint something which will make your heart skip a beat. Walk up to “The Problem We All Live With.” This is not a just a couple of colors on a canvas—this one paints a whole mood, creates a vibe and wakes you up all at once.

So, what is the story of this masterpiece? What if you picture a courageous little girl named Ruby Bridges being escorted into school by U.S. Marshals on the other hand, a bunch of people from a neighboring block throwing all sorts of insults like they were throwing confetti? Ruby, her dear soul, is on a crusade—to integrate a school in New Orleans during the time of civil rights movement. 

Rockwell in his greatness captures this moment with all the emotions possible. There you have Ruby right there, looking bold and witty, but the audience is throwing the plate of hostility to her face. The contrast is so stark you could cut it with butter knife. However, in the midst of all this confusion, there is a ray of light—a bright spark that shines as bright as the tallest beacon in the dark.

Interesting Facts

Inspiration Behind the Painting: Rockwell was inspired to create “The Problem We All Live With” after reading about Ruby Bridges’ courageous journey in the newspaper. He was deeply moved by her story and felt compelled to capture the moment in his art.

Symbolism of the Composition: The composition of the painting is carefully crafted to convey its powerful message. Ruby Bridges is depicted in the center of the canvas, symbolizing her significance in the struggle for civil rights. The U.S. Marshals flanking her represent the protection of the law and the federal government’s role in enforcing desegregation.

Subtle Details: Despite the simplicity of the scene, Rockwell included several subtle details that add layers of meaning to the painting. For example, the splattered tomato on the wall serves as a stark reminder of the violence and hostility faced by Ruby Bridges and other African American students during desegregation.

Artwork Spotlight: Untitled

Norman Rockwell’s most iconic pieces is Untitled which is also available on Singulart. This artwork depicts a scene that illustrates an improbability of everyday occurrence of a mundane activity. This is not one of Rockwell’s popular pieces but the details done and the ability to spark emotion through ordinary subjects is well depicted in this piece.

Are you looking for a piece of artwork from Norman Rockwell?

Singulart has limited edition prints of Norman Rockwell. If you are looking for a piece of Rockwell‘s artwork for sale, simply click on the artwork or the button below to discover more!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is norman rockwell’s art style called.

Norman Rockwell’s painting technique is known as photorealism because, despite the fact that his works resemble photographs, they were created using genuine images that he took. Although Rockwell started out painting from life, he eventually turned to painting from pictures.

What influenced Rockwell’s style of art?

Norman Rockwell owes a great deal to the prominent and stylish illustrators of his day, including JC Leyendecker, Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, and NC Wyeth. His workshop was filled with other artists’ paintings, including a Parrish, a Leyendecker, and multiple Pyles.

Norman Rockwell’s “The Problem We All Live With” is not just a painting; it shows the guts and courage of the people who fought for equality and justice. In his art, Rockwell elucidates the grotesque reality of racism as well as the indomitability of the human spirit. It has become almost a symbol of this never-ending battle for equal rights and the importance of resisting oppression.

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Norman Rockwell’s ‘The Problem We All Live With,’ a Groundbreaking Civil Rights Painting

Norman Rockwell, “The Problem We All Live With,” 1963 This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

In the middle of the 20th century, the Civil Rights Movement brought much-needed change to the United States of America. On the heels of the Harlem Renaissance , this movement emerged in order to end the discrimination against African Americans that had plagued the country since the end of the Civil War.

Several now-famous figures spearheaded this cause, with Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks among the most well-known. In addition to these key players, however, the Civil Rights Movement had the support of one unlikely advocate: Norman Rockwell , a white artist known for his nostalgic views of “average America” (Thomas Buechner, Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator ).

Prior to the 1960s, Rockwell made a name for himself as the cover artist for The Saturday Evening Post . During the Civil Rights Movement, however, Rockwell experienced an unprecedented shift in focus, foregoing his charming illustrations of everyday life for poignant paintings rooted in social justice—with  The Problem We All Live With  leading the way.

Who was Norman Rockwell?

Norman Rockwell, “Triple Self-Portrait,” 1959

Norman Rockwell was born in New York City at the turn of the 20th century. As a child, he excelled as a painter, culminating in a job as a cover artist for Boys’ Life Magazine when he was just 18 years old.

Four years later, Rockwell would land a life-changing position at The Saturday Evening Post,  a popular bi-monthly magazine. Over the span of 47 years, Rockwell completed 322 covers for the magazine, with most exploring quaint themes like childhood, coupledom, and the American workforce.

By the 1960s, Rockwell's work remained popular with the public. In 1963, however, he left his job at  The Saturday Evening Post  and accepted a role at  Look Magazine . It is during his time with  Look that Rockwell's interest in social justice emerged—and his old approach to art dissipated. “For 47 years, I portrayed the best of all possible worlds— grandfathers, puppy dogs—things like that,” Rockwell said in an interview at the age of 75. “That kind of stuff is dead now, and I think it’s about time.”

The year after he was hired by Look , Rockwell produced his most celebrated Civil Rights painting:  The Problem We All Live With.

The Problem We All Live With

The Problem We All Live With stars Ruby Bridges , a 6-year-old African American girl, on her first day of class. Clutching school supplies and clad in a clean white dress, Bridges looks like any other student starting the first grade. What surrounds the young girl, however, is not typical. Flanked by U.S. Marshals and strolling before a wall covered in racist graffiti and a recently-thrown tomato, it is clear that Bridges' experience is exceptional—and prompted by politics.

Historical Context

Following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, Bridges was one of a few students selected to start the desegregation process in New Orleans. Bridges was the only one of these children sent to William Frantz School. While her walk to the institution's front doors was marred by a violent mob, Bridges did not buckle under pressure. In fact, “she showed a lot of courage,” Charles Burks, one of her Marshal escorts, said. “She never cried. She didn't whimper. She just marched along like a little soldier, and we're all very very proud of her.”

Photo: Wikimedia Commons , Public domain

Bridges, however, attributes her mature handling of the situation not to bravery, but to childhood innocence. In 2011, she  explained : “The girl in that painting at 6 years old knew absolutely nothing about racism—I was going to school that day. So every time I see that, I think about the fact that I was an innocent child that knew absolutely nothing about what was happening that day.”

Ruby Bridges with her portrait

Exploring the Painting

Rockwell made numerous artistic choices in The Problem We All Live With to emphasize the seriousness of the occasion. For instance, Ruby Bridges is wearing a bright white frock and sneakers, perhaps emphasizing her innocence in the face of adversity. This is highlighted by the offensive graffiti and thrown tomato surrounding her path to school.

Additionally, Rockwell made the choice of only showing Bridges' face, while the depictions of the large, adult Marshals are cut off at the head. This is intended to underscore Bridges' perspective of the situation, and stress her small size and young age.

Other Norman Rockwell Paintings With Similar Themes

Norman Rockwell, “New Kids in the Neighborhood,” 1967

Three years after the publication of The Problem We All Live With , Rockwell revisited this theme.  New Kids in the Neighborhood , another illustration for Look Magazine , features two groups of children: one black, and one white. Set in what appears to be a suburban neighborhood, the scene prominently features a moving truck. As the black children are positioned near the truck's cargo, it can be inferred that they are the  New Kids in the Neighborhood —and, judging by their curious expressions, the white children aren't sure what to think.

Similar to the  The Problem We All Live With —and in contrast to his past portrayals of kids— New Kids in the Neighborhood illustrates Rockwell's interest in exploring the effects of racism on children.

The Legacy of The Problem We All Live With

Today, Norman Rockwell remains primarily known for his charming Post covers. However, his Civil Rights-era paintings—especially The Problem We All Live With —are among his most powerful works of art.

As a testament to its significance, President Barack Obama had The Problem We All Live With  temporarily installed in the White House in 2011. As he and Ruby Bridges gazed at the painting, the pair couldn't help but marvel at the situation. “I think it's fair to say that if it hadn't been for you guys, I might not be here and we wouldn't be looking at this together,” Obama, the country's first African American president, remarked.

Later, Bridges reflected on his comment. “Just having him say that meant a lot to me and it always has. But to be standing shoulder to shoulder with history and viewing history—it's just once in a lifetime.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the problem we all live with represent.

This painting is a form of visual commentary on racism and segregation in 1960s America. Rockwell depicted an actual event, taking artistic liberties to document the historic event in which segregation was abolished and Black children were being integrated in schools with white children.

Who is the girl in The Problem We All Live With ?

The girl in the painting is Ruby Bridges. She was among the first African American students to be integrated in school when she was 6 years old.

What does the white dress symbolize in The Problem We All Live With ?

There is a sense of innocence with the white dress that Ruby wears. Visually, the white dress is also a stark contrast to the young girl's dark skin. This high contrast and draws the viewer's eye to her.

This article has been edited and updated.

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Norman Rockwell + The Problem We All Live With Learn why a controversial painting became a symbol of the American civil rights movement

Norman Rockwell,  The Problem We All Live With , 1963, oil on canvas, 36 x 58 inches. Illustration for  LOOK , January 14, 1964. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©NRELC, Niles, IL.

Lesson Content

Ruby and racism.

Imagine that you are six years old and it’s your first day in a new school.  You are wearing a special outfit. You have your notebook, your pencils. You are excited, but a little nervous, too. Official-looking men in suits are there to escort you to the building. A wild, screaming crowd is gathered outside. Could it be a parade? Your teacher greets you warmly, but where are your classmates? Why are you the only student in the room? Why is there no one to eat lunch with you or to play with you on the playground? You are little and confused, but your mom has told you to behave, so you are brave—you don’t cry.

This is what actually happened to Ruby Bridges on her first day at William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans on November 14, 1960. Ruby was the first African American child to attend the school after a federal court ordered the New Orleans school system to integrate. The public outcry was so great that white parents withdrew their children from school so they would not have to sit with a Black girl. Ruby spent an entire year in a classroom by herself.

Artist and magazine illustrator Norman Rockwell is known for his idyllic images of American life in the twentieth century. But his work had a new sense of purpose in 1960s when he was hired by  LOOK  magazine. There, he produced his famous painting  The Problem We All Live With , a visual commentary on segregation and the problem of racism in America. The painting depicts Ruby’s courageous walk to school on that November day. She dutifully follows faceless men—the yellow armbands reveal them to be federal marshals—past a wall smeared with racist graffiti and the juice of a thrown tomato. The canvas is arranged so that the viewer is at Ruby’s height, seeing the scene from her perspective.

Rockwell’s painting, created a few years after Ruby made her fateful entrance at school, was produced at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. It is now considered a symbol of that struggle. Bridges never met Rockwell, but as an adult, she came to admire his decision to tell her story: “Here was a man that had been doing lots of work, painting family images, and all of a sudden decided this is what I’m going to do…it’s wrong, and I’m going to say that it’s wrong…the mere fact that [Norman Rockwell] had enough courage to step up to the plate and say I’m going to make a statement, and he did it in a very powerful way…even though I had not had an opportunity to meet him, I commend him for that.”

Ruby’s walk to school was part of a larger history dating back to the Civil War. Despite Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and the passage of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that abolished slavery, African Americans were never truly free. By the late 1800s, “Jim Crow” laws in the Southern states prevented Black people from sharing public accommodations with white people, such as train cars, bathrooms, swimming pools, and schools.

This began to change in the 1950s when the National Association of Colored People (NAACP) challenged school segregation in the courts, and NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall argued the now-famous  Brown v. Board of Education  case before the Supreme Court. In 1954, the Court handed down its landmark decision: school segregation was unconstitutional because it violated the 14th Amendment, which guarantees all citizens—of all races—“equal protection under the law.”

But the South was slow to comply with the ruling, and it looked like Black civilians would have to force the issue. When nine students in Little Rock, Arkansas, decided to integrate Central High School in 1957, they were threatened by angry mobs, prompting President Dwight Eisenhower to call in U.S. paratroopers to escort the teenagers safely to school. By 1960, New Orleans was still fighting integration in its schools. They lost their case, allowing Ruby to break a long-standing barrier for herself as well as future generations.

Norman Rockwell

For many decades Rockwell’s illustrations appeared on the covers of the leading magazines of his day, including  Saturday Evening Post ,  Leslie’s Weekly ,  Life , and  LOOK . During World War II, he painted the Four Freedoms series, inspired by a speech made by President Franklin Roosevelt. He is best known for his sentimental images of American life, which evoke nostalgia for a time when life was slower, when families spent evenings around the dinner table sharing stories, and feeling safe and happy in their own homes.

Yet by the 1960s, the country had changed and so had the artist. Rockwell began to address more controversial themes such as poverty and racism.  The Problem We All Live With , published in  LOOK  in 1964, took on the issue of school segregation. While some readers missed the Rockwell of happier times, others praised him for tackling serious issues. Together, his early idyllic and later realistic views of American life represent the artist’s personal portrait of our nation.

Rockwell died on November 8, 1978, at age of 84. He lived through two world wars, painted the portraits of several U.S. presidents, witnessed a man walk on the moon, and produced more than 4,000 works of art. He is an American icon. No wonder that, in 2011, President Barack Obama borrowed  The Problem We All Live With  for a special White House exhibition to commemorate the walk Ruby Bridges took to William Franz Elementary School 50 years earlier.

“Rockwell painted the American dream —better than anyone.”—Steven Spielberg

Lisa Resnick Tiffany A. Bryant

January 31, 2022

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The Problem We All Live With

S tudents will consider what freedoms they have as individuals. They will look at the painting, The Problems We All Live With  by Norman Rockwell and analyze the illustration in regards to civil rights. A class discussion will allow for students to not only talk about the composition of the painting, but also to look closely at the objects and clues in order to decode the story of Ruby Bridges and its relevance to American history.  The students will then design a piece of artwork commemorating a civil rights hero or addressing a problem they feel they are faced to live with today in America.

Five 50 minute class periods: Class 1- Presentation and Think Sheet; 2 – Drafting, revision; 3-5 Work to complete illustration and class critique

• Enduring Understandings/ Essential Questions:
• As Americans, we are protected under law and guaranteed equal social opportunities regardless of race, religion or other individual characteristics. The American Civil Rights Movement began in the 1950s when a mass of individuals and groups came together to protest racial segregation and discrimination.
• Ruby Bridges was a courageous young girl in the 1960s that was faced with the problem of racism. Although the law allowed her the same education as any child, she faced angry white people on her way to school who called her names and some wanted to hurt her. The President of the United States ordered federal marshals to walk 6 year old Ruby into the school building because they were concerned about her safety. Ruby continued to go to school to learn and gain the same education as white children.
• The elements of art are building blocks used to create a work of art and the principles of design describe the way artists use the elements of art within their artwork. By analyzing the elements and principles, students may decode visual meaning and intention of the artist.
• How does the illustration The Problems We All Live With , by Norman Rockwell relate to history?
• What are civil rights?
• Why did the US government need to send federal marshals to walk Ruby Bridges to school in 1960?
• How were the elements and principles of design used to make this illustration successful?
• Describe the function and explore the meaning of specific art objects within our culture, illustrated during this time.
• Who was Ruby Bridges? Who are other civil rights activists or heros from our past?
• What problem are you faced to live with and how can you make a visual narrative about it?
• Objectives:
• Students will view and analyze the composition, and design elements and principles of The Problems We All Live With , by Norman Rockwell
• Students will consider the historical and cultural events of the time that the illustration was created.
• Students will brainstorm problem they are currently faced with, complete a Think Sheet, and create a work of visual art that demonstrates an understanding of how the communication of their ideas relates to the media, techniques, and processes they use.
• Background:

Norman Rockwell began to work for Look magazine and felt a new freedom to correct editorial prejudices from work he had previously done for the Saturday Evening Post. He wanted to depict the story of Ruby Bridges as she had been escorted by four U.S. marshals to her first day of school at an all-white school in New Orleans. The reviews of the published work were a mix of praise and criticism.

Multimedia Resources

• A Conversation with Ruby Bridges Hall

Norman Rockwell Museum

• Ruby Bridges Visits the President and her Portrait

Classroom  Supplies:

• Large easel with paper pad and pen, or board to record brainstorming ideas on
• Think Sheet (Worksheet given by the instructor to plan thumbnail drawing)
• Worksheet: The Problem I Live With Think Sheet (5-8)

Suggested resources on Civil Rights including but not limited to:

• Ruby Bridges Goes to School   by Robert Cole
• Through My Eyes  by Ruby Bridges
• Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the Selma Voting Rights March   by   Elspeth Leacock and   Susan Buckley   
• Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer;  Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement   by Carole Boston Weatherford
• Activities:
• The tables, stools and students will be arranged in a manner conducive to conversation. The reproduction of The Problem I Live With   by Norman Rockwell will be posted in a central location so that all students can see the illustration.
• The lesson will begin by asking the students if any of them have seen the illustration before. As a group, the instructor will record the items students recognize in each of the image, taking a visual inventory, pointing our only what they see, not what they perceive. By doing this, the students will analyze the work and find clues and symbols to help read the visual image, revealing American history and culture.
• The instructor will ask if anyone can associate the image with anything in particular regarding the American culture and it’s history.  A discussion about civil rights and Ruby Bridges will allow for personal interpretations as well as historically accurate facts about the 1960’s. Conversation about other civil rights activists or heros is welcomed.
• The instructor will read the description from the Norman Rockwell Digital collection ( http://collections.nrm.org/search.do?id=520936&db=object&view=full ) to share with the students. The students will be asked what they think it would have been like to live during the 1960s with the tensions of the civil rights. The discussion will morph, and be carefully facilitated, into other civil rights occurrences and activists. The students will be asked to brainstorm a list of problems they feel they have endured personally, or that our nation has been faced with recently. The instructor will record a list on easel paper, or a board; this list will be a point of departure for students to plan a project of their own.
• Students will be given the worksheet, The Problem I Live With Think Sheet (5-8) to complete, and then share with a peer.
• The students will develop a sketch and begin to consider what media would best emphasize the message they are trying to convey or the individual they will be honoring in their artwork.
• The instructor will circulate around the room and be available for each student if they need to talk about their ideas and material needs. Suggestion for revisions regarding composition and design will be considered.
• The last ten minutes of class will be dedicated to the group coming together to share their ideas in order to gain a greater brainstorming opportunity. Each student will be asked to explain the media they feel is best suited for their project. Throughout the project, the students will be encouraged to talk with the instructor and their peers regarding their thoughts, ideas, and frustrations with their project asking for help or feedback.

Classes 3-5

•  Three more classes will be allotted to the completion of the project. Once  most of the students have finished, the group will come together to present their artwork during a group critique. Ask each student to present their project and explain their thoughts. Once the artist has spoken, comments from classmates will be allowed. The comments must be given in a respectful manner, demonstrate critical thoughts and be relevant to the project.
• Assessment:
• Students will be evaluated on their participation in the discussion (informal checks of understanding through questions) and completion of the Think Sheet.
• Students will complete a Think Sheet.
• Students will confer with their peers and the instructor upon completion of the thumbnail sketch and Think Sheet for feedback, suggestions and consider any revisions before moving on to begin the final illustration.
• Students will select media, techniques, and processes; analyze what makes them effective in communicating their ideas; and reflect upon the effectiveness of their choices.
• Students will analyze, describe, and demonstrate how factors of time and place (history and culture) influence visual characteristics that give meaning and value to a work of art.
• Students will participate in a group critique, then prepare and hang their illustration for display.

This curriculum meets the standards listed below. Look for more details on these standards please visit:  ELA and Math Standards ,  Social Studies Standards , Visual Arts Standards .

• problem_web-3 (1).jpg

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The Problem We All Live With - Part Two

Last week we looked at a school district integrating by accident. This week: a city going all out to integrate its schools. Plus, a girl who comes up with her own one-woman integration plan.

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Norman Rockwell's "The Problem We All Live With," depicting Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to attend an all white elementary school in the South. 

Artwork approved by The Norman Rockwell Family Agency.

More in this Series

The Problem We All Live With - Part One

My secret public plan, what’s it all about, arne, act four: tough news room, act one: when i grow up, staff recommendations.

Three Miles

What happens when of a group of public school students in the Bronx goes to visit an elite private school three miles away.

There’s one thing that has been proven to cut the achievement gap between black and white students by half: integration.

• in Apple Podcasts

The problem we all live with

Edwina Bonnet

Created on March 10, 2021

More creations to inspire you

Facts in the time of covid-19.

Presentation

AUSSTELLUNG STORYTELLING

Wolf academy, stage2- level1-mission 2: animation, tangram presentation, valentine's day presentation, human rights.

Discover more incredible creations here

ANALYSER UNE IMAGEL’objectif pour bien analyser l’image est de répondre à ces 3 questions : • Que voit-on ? • Quel est l’effet recherché (interroger, soulever un problème, effrayer, calmer etc.) ? • Comment s’y prend l’auteur.e/l’artiste ? (ex: “The painter uses warm colors to create a calm ambiance”). Pour répondre à ces questions 3 règles d’or : 1. Identify/Present the document 2. Describe 3. Interpret/give your opinion

1. Identify/Present the document Repérez les informations données dans la légende : • Title • Nature of the document: This document is a painting/a map/a picture/an advertisement for • Context/date: It dates from...; it was painted/taken in… • Author/artist: It was painted/drawn/taken by...

NB : Pour décrire une action utilisez de préférence le présent continu Be + V-ing car lorsqu’on regarde une image l’action est figée et semble donc être en train de se passer sous nos yeux (ex : ‘The man is holding a scythe and he is cultivating his crops’) 3. Interpret • Donnez votre impression personnelle, expliquez ce que vous ressentez en regardant l’image : I have the impression that… / It seems to me that… • L’objectif de l’image: It seems… / It represents… / It means … / It symbolises… / It embodies… / It’s a metaphor of… / It warns us about… / It criticises… / It conveys the impression that… It shows… / It reminds me of… • Le message de l’auteur: The artist wants to…/It aims at…

Let's write an analysis of the painting !

- http://www.scottmcd.net/artanalysis/?p=818- document réalisé par l'équipe enseignante du collège Jean Monnet. / AC-CAEN

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Pundits Said Harris Won the Debate. Undecided Voters Weren’t So Sure.

Voters said the vice president talked about a sweeping vision to fix the country’s most stubborn problems. But they wanted the fine print.

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By Jeremy W. Peters Jack Healy and Campbell Robertson

The reporters interviewed voters in five states and asked them whether the debate changed their views on the presidential race.

Follow along with live updates on the Trump and Harris campaigns .

For weeks, undecided voters have been asking for more substance.

So it was perhaps no accident that Vice President Kamala Harris’s first words during the presidential debate on Tuesday were, “I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan.”

Some Americans might need more convincing.

Bob and Sharon Reed, both 77-year-old retired teachers who live on a farm in central Pennsylvania, had high hopes for the debate between Ms. Harris and former President Donald Trump. They thought that they would come away with a candidate to support in November.

But, Ms. Reed said, “It was all disappointing.”

The couple ended the night wondering how the costly programs each candidate supported — Mr. Trump’s tariffs and Ms. Harris’s aid to young families and small businesses — would help a couple like them, living on a fixed income that has not kept pace with inflation. They said they didn’t hear detailed answers on immigration or foreign policy, either.

Tuesday night was the first time any voter had seen Mr. Trump and Ms. Harris together. The two candidates had never met in person before, creating considerable trepidation among supporters of both campaigns about how they might perform.

Immediate reaction from political analysts favored Ms. Harris, whose attacks appeared to rattle Mr. Trump. She goaded him over the various criminal and civil charges against him. She said his former aides considered him “a disgrace” and that world leaders laugh at him. At one point, she asked whether he might be “confused” — a stinging line given Mr. Trump’s relentless mocking of President Biden’s mental acuity. And she questioned his emotional stability by saying he was not capable of processing his loss in 2020.

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VMAs 2024 live updates: Taylor Swift wins, Katy Perry honored, Megan Thee Stallion hosts and more

Everything to know about the 2024 vmas:.

• Megan Thee Stallion hosted the MTV Video Music Awards show at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
• Taylor Swift came into the show with 12 nominations, the most of any artist. Post Malone followed with nine nominations, while Ariana Grande, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter each had six.
• Katy Perry received MTV’s Video Vanguard Award and performed a career-spanning medley live. Other performers this year included Carpenter , Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan , GloRilla and Rauw Alejandro.
• The VMAs have a history of memorable and provocative red carpet looks. See this year's stand-out outfits.

The 40th MTV Video Music Awards were chock-full of performances and peppered with memories of the award show’s storied four-decade history.

Taylor Swift took home the biggest award of the night — video of the year — in addition to six others, tying her with Beyoncé for the most VMA wins ever. After tonight, Swift and Beyoncé have 30 Moon People each to their names.

Chappell Roan took home the first major award of her career for best new artist, beating out Gracie Abrams and Tyla after a show-stopping summer on the festival circuit.

Iconic moments from VMAs past also got their place to shine. Notably, host Megan Thee Stallion took the stage with a live snake roped around her body as an homage to Britney Spears’ 2001 “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance. A supercut of such moments also featured Miley Cyrus twerking onstage with Robin Thicke in 2013 and Madonna’s 1984 “Like A Virgin” performance, among many others.

Tonight’s show ushered in a new era of iconic moments, as well, from Sabrina Carpenter’s kissing an alien during a mashup of her newest singles to Benson Boone’s flips off his piano and Roan’s performance in front of a burning castle.

No more Moon People for Queen Bey

Rebecca Cohen

Beyoncé was nominated for three awards tonight — song of the year, best trending video and most iconic performance — but ultimately did not win any.

The lackluster VMAs showing follows her being shut out of the Country Music Award nominations that were announced on Monday after coming out with her first country album, "Cowboy Carter."

Beyoncé still holds the record for most VMAs with 30 statues, although she's now tied with Taylor Swift, who won seven awards tonight.

Taylor Swift snags video of the year for third year in a row

Daysia Tolentino

“Directing this video and putting it together and writing it was the most wonderful experience," she said of making the "Fortnight" video with Post Malone. "And that is because of all the people that I got to make it with.”

She also took a moment to thank boyfriend Travis Kelce for cheering her on between takes.

Swift won the award in 2023 for “Anti-Hero” and in 2022 for “All Too Well (10 minute version) (Taylor’s Version).”

LL Cool J take some of us back

Richie Duchon

This LL Cool J performance feels like a time machine to the early 90s. Busta Rhymes tee'd up LL Cool J and Public Enemy to insert some classic hip hop into the VMAs.

LL nodded to some genre staples while also marking a comeback, performing a track featuring Saweetie from his new Q-Tip produced record "The Force," which dropped last week.

Video of the year

Taylor Swift wins the video of the year VMA for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.

Anitta thanks Brazil for her VMA

Doha Madani

Anitta gave a shoutout to her country while holding her VMA for "Mil Veces," saying that her enthusiastic fans are the reason she gets to represent Brazil over and over at the show.

"Thank you so much everybody, I am so happy," Anitta said. "First of all, I wanna say thanks to my fans who vote and they're always supporting me."

She also called it an amazing year for Latin music, shouting out fellow nominee Karol G specifically for her monumental year.

Anitta wins the best Latin VMA for “Mil Veces.” 

Chappell Roan dedicates first VMA to her LGBTQ fans

Kaetlyn Liddy Kaetlyn Liddy is a newsroom coordinator for NBC News Digital.

The rise of a Midwest Princess continues.

After making her VMAs debut with a performance of her breakout hit, "Good Luck, Babe!", Chappell Roan took home her first Moon Person for best new artist.

"I dedicate this to all the drag artists who inspire me and I dedicate this to queer and trans people who fuel pop," Roan said in her speech, reading from her diary. On her "Midwest Princess" tour, Roan invited local drag artists to open her shows. She has also spoken extensively about the role drag plays in her own performances.

She added, "For all the queer kids in the Midwest watching right now, I see you, I understand you, because I’m one of you."

With the best new artist win, she joined the lofty company of artists like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Cardi B, who have all won the award.

Best new artist

Chappell Roan wins the best new artist VMA.

GloRilla cranks up the energy

The crowd was on its feet as the Memphis rapper performed "Yeah Glo!," which was nominated in the best hip-hop category.

She also played her hit "TGIF" as her backup dancers hyped up the audience atop a long dining table.

Camila Cabello returns to the VMA stage

From inside a glass case on stage, Camila Cabello performed a mash-up that started with "June Gloom" and transitioned into "GODSPEED." It was a return to the stage for the singer, who last performed at the show in 2021.

LISA wins the best K-pop VMA for “Rockstar.” 

Lenny Kravitz performs his greatest hits, new and old

After winning the Moon Person for best rock earlier in the evening, Lenny Kravitz performed on the VMAs stage for the first time since his 1998 appearance with Madonna.

Kravitz performed a medley featuring a reprise of his 1993 VMA performance of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" along with two 2024 releases, "Human," and "FLY." He finished off with a special appearance from rapper Quavo.

Best hip-hop

Eminem wins the best hip-hop VMA for “Houdini.” 

LISA accepts her first solo VMA

LISA, known for her role in girl group BlackPink, accepted the moon person for best K-pop tonight. She called her winning song, "Rockstar," a "meaningful comeback" in her career.

Best visual effects

Eminem’s “Houdini” wins the best visual effects VMA. Visual effects by Synapse Virtual Production, Louise Lee, Rich Lee, Metaphysic and Flawless Post.  

Best choreography

Dua Lipa’s “Houdini” wins the best choreography VMA. Choreography by Charm La’Donna. 

Best editing

Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” wins the best editing VMA. Editing by Chancler Haynes.

Best direction

Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone wins the best direction VMA. Directed by Taylor Swift.

Best art direction

Megan Thee Stallion’s “BOA” wins the best art direction VMA. Art direction by Brittany Porter.

Best cinematography

Ariana Grande’s “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” wins the best cinematography VMA. Cinematography by Anatol Trofimov.

Video for good

Billie Eilish wins the video for good VMA for “What Was I Made For? (From The Motion Picture ‘Barbie’).” 

Best R&B

SZA wins the best R&B VMA for “Snooze.” 

Taylor Swift wins the best pop VMA.

Artist of the year

Taylor Swift wins the artist of the year VMA.

Halsey performs newest single 'Ego'

Angela Yang

Halsey just rocked out on stage, performing her latest single “Ego” in a makeshift garage.

The singer, who arrived on the carpet with long red hair and a matching gown, seemingly ditched her long locks before stepping on stage in a fiery pixie cut.

Rauw Alejandro leaves a piece of Puerto Rico on stage

Before the show began, Rauw Alejandro told interviewers he wanted to honor his Puerto Rican culture on stage tonight. He added that he also wanted to throw in nods to New York, where many Puerto Ricans have created tight-knit communities.

Alejandro delivered by honoring his Nuyorican roots on a set that emulated the city's apartment rooftops. He was joined by dancers and musicians who helped bring a slice of the island's musical heritage to the stage.

Sabrina Carpenter wins first VMA for song of the year

That's that Sabrina espresso, after all. The singer snagged the coveted award for her hit song "Espresso," which has dominated summer playlists since it was released in April.

"I've literally never won one of these," Carpenter said while accepting her moon person. "I feel so grateful to have truly the best fans in the world."

Song of the year

Sabrina Carpenter wins the song of the year VMA for “Espresso.” 

Benson Boone soars

Benson Boone, who already won the VMA for best alternative, started off his performance with a sweet serenade before literally flipping the song into a rocking show.

He promised a show with "lots of flips" and he certainly delivered with two literal backflips, the last being off of his piano. Boone's sweet crooning turned into big vocal crescendos as easily and quickly as he moved through the air.

Megan Thee Stallion is not just here to host

The rapper played an energized medley of hits from her album "Megan," starting off with "BOA," which is nominated in the best hip-hop category.

She cut to a dance break as fans chanted the chorus of "B.A.S" to her. Megan then launched into her venomous diss track "HISS," which made waves earlier this year and opened the door for disses against Drake .

She then brought out Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba to perform their viral hit "Mamushi," which won best trending video earlier tonight.

Tyla wins best Afrobeats

The South African singer Tyla won for her hit song "Water," which also spawned a viral trend on TikTok.

"African music can be pop music too," she said. "This is just so special but also bittersweet because I know there's a tendency to group all African artists under afrobeats."

The artist is also nominated for best new artist.

"African music is so diverse, it's more than just Afrobeats," she said as she accepted her award.

Best Afrobeats

Tyla wins the best Afrobeats VMA for “Water.” 

Chappell Roan performs: 'Your favorite drag queen's favorite artist' 

After a loving intro from drag queen Sasha Colby, Chappell Roan took the VMAs stage in full armor in front of a burning castle as she sang "Good Luck, Babe!" her hit summer single that has helped propel her to stardom.

Roan's rise to fame began with an opening act during Olivia Rodrigo's "Guts" tour in the Spring, which then paved the way for a sold-out festival circuit, all leading her to tonight's stage, where she is nominated for her first major awards including best new artist.

Roan credits Colby with a slogan she's used to reference herself — "your favorite artist's favorite artist." After shouting that on stage this summer, Roan said she got the quote from Colby, who coined "your favorite drag queen's favorite drag queen."

Colby introduced Roan tonight as "your favorite drag queen’s favorite artist."

Performances galore but few moon people

It's been about an hour since anyone accepted an award, with the exception of Katy Perry's pre-announced Vanguard award.

While there were quite a few awards announced in the pre-show livestream, no other statues have been given out since Taylor Swift and Post Malone accepted the best collaboration award.

Katy Perry performs her most nostalgic hits ahead of accepting Vanguard Award

Katy Perry gave a high-energy performance ahead of her acceptance of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

She was introduced by her fiancé Orlando Bloom, who gave a heartfelt tribute to the longtime pop star, noting that “the remarkable world she creates has brought a sense of joy and laughter, inspiring generations of people from all over the world.”

She took the stage in a cloud of colored smoke, held up by cables as she sang a mashup of “Dark Horse” and “E.T.” in mid-air. The singer then brought Doechii onstage for a snippet of their upcoming release “I’M HIS, HE’S MINE.”

Perry continued the show with a nostalgic string of her fan-favorites — “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream,” “I Kissed a Girl” and “Firework" — before ending with her latest release "LIFETIMES" and sharing a post-performance kiss with Bloom.

"Thank you. I did that all on my first day of my period, too, can you believe it?" she said breathlessly as she accepted her Moon Person.

"I just want to say with my whole heart: Do whatever it takes to stay true to yourself and true to your art," she added in her speech. "Turn off social media, safeguard your mental health, pause, touch grass."

Anitta makes the VMAs feel like paradise

Isabela Espadas Barros Leal

"The queen of Brazil" Anitta showed off her trilingual singing chops in a major medley alongside Tiago PZK, Fat Joe and DJ Khaled. She flawlessly transitioned from English to Portuguese and Spanish while showing off her impressive dance moves.

This is also her second all-white outfit of the night, which she suggested on the red carpet may be hinting at an upcoming surprise.

Taylor Swift ditches the punk plaid for sparkly green

Always one to keep people on their toes, Taylor Swift has made an unexpected outfit change.

While Swift arrived in a punk plaid ensemble, she appears to now be seated in a sparkling green gown. The singer was seen on an online stream in a beaded outfit that had a spaceship display, a likely nod to her performance of "Down Bad" during the "The Eras Tour," which features visuals of a UFO.

Sabrina Carpenter performs moonwalking mashup

At last year's VMAs, Sabrina Carpenter was relegated to a pre-show performance. Not this year.

This year, she performed a mashup of "Please Please Please," "Taste" and "Espresso" during the primetime ceremony. Carpenter danced, appropriately, with astronauts and an alien, who she proceeded to kiss onstage. The space-themed backdrop to her bubble gum pop bobs mirrored the iconic Moon Person statue awarded to VMA winners.

Carpenter's most recent album, "Short n' Sweet," is her sixth studio album and first to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. After opening for Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" and performing her breakout hit "Espresso" at Coachella this spring, Carpenter has ascended into pop's most rarified echelon.

LISA rocks out on the VMA stage

With pyrotechnics and leather outfits, LISA put on a rockin' show for her performance on the VMAs stage.

She started her performance with her latest single "New Woman," although Rosalia, her collaborator on the song, was absent.

She then transitioned into "Rockstar," which is nominated in the best K-Pop category.

Megan Thee Stallion pays homage to Britney Spears' 'I'm a Slave 4U'

With a large yellow snake wrapped around her body, Megan Thee Stallion gave a nod to Britney Spears' iconic "I'm a Slave 4 U" VMAs performance by wearing the same green and blue two piece while performing her hosting duties.

"I don’t know this snake, this snake don’t know me," she said. She then screamed as someone tried to remove the snake from her body.

Chappell Roan’s success marks the rise of the ‘middle class’ pop star

Chappell Roan is no longer just “your favorite artist’s favorite artist.”

Roan, who is known for the queer themes in her music and her drag-inspired aesthetic, is among the recent crop of artists who have hit unforeseen career highs in recent months, despite being considered part of pop music’s “middle class.”

This designation has typically been associated with artists who have cultivated devout  online fan bases , but who are not necessarily household names.

A-list pop stardom has become increasingly difficult to achieve. But some music industry experts say the recent rise of Roan and others — including Sabrina Carpenter, Tinashe and Charli XCX — is a testament to their authenticity and ability to foster such strong fandoms.

Read the full story here.

Taylor Swift honors 9/11 victims

Taylor Swift just took home her second Moon Person of the night with a win for best collaboration for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone. She opened her acceptance speech with an acknowledgement of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks given the event's location in New York.

Speaking about her music video, Swift described her collaborator Post Malone as “everyone in music’s favorite person to collaborate with.”

“And it is because you are so ridiculously talented, you are so versatile and you’re the most down to earth person,” Swift said. “Honestly, so unfailingly polite, it has taken me forever to get him to stop calling me ‘ma’am.’”

Flavor Flav gifts Jordan Chiles a replacement medal

After being stripped of her Olympic bronze medal shortly after leaving Paris, Flavor Flav followed through on his promise to award Jordan Chiles a custom-made replacement.

"I gotcha something that they can't take away from you," Flavor Flav told the two-time Olympian on the VMAs stage. He bestowed her with a bronze clock necklace and tied it on her neck himself.

Megan Thee Stallion opens the show with a nod to the Paris Games

The host opened the show with a message to everyone watching.

“Shout out to my hotties, and my haties ‘cause I know y’all watching too,” she said.

She donned a Team USA-inspired leotard while greeting viewers. She then passed the mic to Jordan Chiles and Flavor Flav.

Flav gave Chiles a bronze clock and promised to gift her the prize money she lost after her bronze medal was stripped from her after last month's Paris Olympic Games.

Best collaboration

Taylor Swift wins the best collaboration VMA for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.

Eminem brings his mob of Slim Shadys to open the VMAs

Opening the show with his song "Houdini," off of his latest album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)," the rapper brought a gang of his alter egos to support him on stage. He also brought a doppelgänger who looked strikingly similar to his younger self.

Jelly Roll also made a virtual appearance to perform with Eminem on their collaboration "Somebody Save Me."

Lenny Kravitz dedicates best rock win to late mother

The VMA for best rock video went to Lenny Kravitz for “Human” from his 2024 album, “Blue Electric Light.”

He dedicated the award to his late mother, who died in 1995.

"31 years ago, my mother was with me," he said after his win. "The last time she was with me at an award show was at the VMAs and so I dedicate this to her.”

Kravitz will perform at tonight's ceremony for the first time since 1998.

Taylor Swift is on the carpet

The highly anticipated arrival of Taylor Swift is finally here as the singer poses for the cameras ahead of tonight's show. She won a VMA for song of summer before even setting foot on the carpet.

Swift is known for using her award show outfits as a way to clue in fans about her upcoming projects. Last year, Swift's black and white dress at the Grammys hinted at her announcement of the album "The Tortured Poets Department" later during the show. That came after she announced her album "Midnights" at the 2022 VMAs, wearing a silver-draped dress that hinted at a new "Bejewled" era for the singer.

So with fans eager for her to drop "reputation (Taylor's Version)," is her outfit signaling any easter eggs for news to come?

Lenny Kravitz wins the best rock VMA for “Human.” 

'Fortnight' nabs song of summer

Taylor Swift has officially won her first award of the night.

Her single "Fortnight" from "The Tortured Poets Department" won song of the summer, which was announced on the VMAs red carpet before the awards show even kicked off.

If she takes home at least six more of the 12 awards she's nominated for tonight, she will match Beyoncé's record for most VMA wins.

Megan Thee Stallion wins best trending video

Megan Thee Stallion was caught off guard by the news of her own win as pre-show host Kevan Kenney abruptly handed her a Moon Person. The rapper, who is also hosting the VMAs this year, clinched the best trending video award for “Mamushi” featuring Yuki Chiba.

“Me and Yuki recorded that song in Japan in like, a small apartment studio, and we were just messing around,” Megan said, adding that she was "shocked" by fans' embrace of the song.

The singer is up for six more categories tonight.

Taylor Swift's presidential endorsement hangs in the air

The self-proclaimed "Childless Cat Lady" endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after Tuesday night's debate, inspiring some 330,000 v isits to vote.gov in the process. It's unclear if the pop star will continue speaking out about politics in the weeks before the election.

Photos of the best looks on the MTV VMAs red carpet

Justine Goode

Chelsea Stahl Chelsea Stahl is the art director for NBC News Digital

It's your favorite artists' favorite looks! See them all here .

Song of summer

Taylor Swift wins the song of summer VMA for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.

Expect a tribute to 9/11

This year’s show had originally been scheduled for Sept. 10 but was moved to Sept. 11 because the broadcast would clash with Tuesday’s presidential debate. 

The show’s producers plan to recognize the 9/11 attacks by donating proceeds from the show to 9/11 Day, a nonprofit that organizes community service programs on the anniversary of the attacks, and Tuesday’s Children, which helps support impacted families. 

Taylor Swift has a chance to break Beyoncé's record

Pop sensation Taylor Swift is the most nominated artist of the night, with the potential to make history by breaking fellow nominee Beyoncé's record.

Swift is up for a total of 12 awards, including video of the year, artist of the year and song of the year. Currently, Swift has a total of 23 VMAs throughout her career and is seven awards shy of matching Beyoncé's record of 30.

But Beyoncé is also nominated for several VMAs tonight following the success of her country album "Cowboy Carter" — which was notably snubbed from the Country Music Association Awards earlier this week. The album's hit song, "Texas Hold 'Em," is up against Swift's "Fortnight" for song of the year.

Naomi Scott attends her first VMAs

British actress and singer Naomi Scott, who plays pop star Skye Riley in the upcoming film “Smile 2,” said her character drew inspiration from some of the pop stars here tonight.

As for the movie itself, slated to release in theaters Oct. 18, the first-time VMA attendee teased it as being “kind of like the first movie, but on steroids and a lot of party drugs.

“It’s very intense, but it’s so fun and so unhinged and also kind of funny,” Scott said. “My director brought me in to watch some of the edit, and I remember just being like, I wish I was here with my best friend, because we would just be grabbing each other laughing and screaming.”

'Dreams don’t have deadlines:' LL Cool J on his first album in a decade

After a 10-year break from releasing music, LL Cool J dropped his 14th studio album, "The Force," on Friday.

"I wanted to show the people that I came up with that your dreams don't have deadlines," he said on the MTV pre-show. "You could continue to do this thing at a high level. You don't have to be successful at one age and then all of a sudden taper off and wallow around in mediocrity."

He is set to perform in tonight’s ceremony, but the legendary artist's relationship with the VMAs started 27 years ago. LL Cool J became the first rap artist to win the Video Vanguard Award in 1997, which he noted as his favorite VMAs moment.

"I am a kid raised on hip hop ... So that was an unbelievable moment," he said of the honor.

Jordan Chiles makes VMAs debut after bronze medal debacle

Two-time Olympic champion Jordan Chiles made her first public appearances on Wednesday since she was stripped of her bronze medal from the Paris Olympic Games.

"This is a dream come true to be able to come to the VMAs," Chiles said. "Meeting people, especially celebrities out here." Despite the big names in the room, Chiles said her Olympic resume has prepared her for this moment.

Competing is "harder than doing an interview," she joked.

Hours before the VMAs ceremony, Chiles spoke at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit in New York City, where she said the controversy was more about "peace" and "justice" for her than the medal itself.

"The biggest thing that was taken from me was the recognition of who I was, not just my sport, but the person I am ... the star is never going to get dimmed." she said.

Best trending video

Megan Thee Stallion wins the best trending video VMA for “Mamushi” featuring Yuki Chiba.

Katy Perry arrives at the VMAs ahead of her Vanguard award

Katy Perry is serving a wet look on the carpet. She will be performing a medley of her biggest hits later tonight in celebration of her Video Vanguard award, which celebrates an artists' career and impact on pop culture.

Addison Rae gives showgirl chic

The TikToker-turned-pop star arrived on the carpet wearing a white feathery bikini set with a tulle bustle.

She said the look was partly inspired by Madonna, who wore a wedding dress in her performance of "Like A Virgin" during the 1984 VMAs.

The "Diet Pepsi" singer is a presenter at tonight's awards.

Chappell Roan is thinking about her ex tonight

Chappell, who is nominated for best new artist alongside three other categories, said it would be “awesome” if she won — noting that she’s “never won anything.” If she does cinch the category, she said, she wants to give a shoutout to her ex: “You got me here.”

Chappell said she’s a bit nervous about performing in front of her peers tonight, many of whom she said she looks up to. The pop star teased in a red-carpet interview with MTV that her performance will include “a lot of technical things going on that I’ve never had happen.”

She also shared a few details about the medieval look she donned on the carpet.

“That robe that I had on ... was 300 years old. And then the rug that was rolled out is 600 years old," she said.

Most iconic performance

Katy Perry wins the most iconic performance VMA for “Roar.”

Best alternative

The winner for best alternative is Benson Boone for his song “Beautiful Things,” awarded during the pre-show livestream on YouTube.

Boone thanked the fans for all their support and their votes as he accepted the Moon Man statue in an interview on the carpet.

“You know what? This has been the craziest year of my life so far,” Boone said. “I’m truly honored to be in this crowd of people... it’s been pretty insane for me.”

When asked about his performance to come later tonight, Boone just said, “lot of sparkles, lots of flips.”

Halsey teases performance of new song ‘Ego’

Halsey put the red in red carpet tonight (although the VMAs carpet is technically black), with long, bright red locks and a gown to match.

She also teased her later performance of a new song called "Ego," which officially dropped on Friday as the fourth single in the lead up to her highly-anticipated album, "The Great Impersonator."

In June, the singer revealed she has been battling chronic illnesses in a social media post tied to the release of "The End," another song on her upcoming album. In the post, Halsey did not confirm any diagnoses.

"long story short, i'm Lucky to be alive. short story long, i wrote an album," Halsey wrote in the post.

The VMAs are pop culture gold

If the Grammys are the music industry's biggest night, the VMAs may be the most entertaining.

Since the first VMAs were held in New York City's Radio City Music Hall in 1984, an astounding number of prolific moments in pop culture history have taken place with the iconic "moon person" statue standing nearby.

From Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 ceremony to Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera shocking early 2000's America by kissing onstage, the VMAs have a knack for crystalizing cultural moments. Many of these moments will likely be revisited tonight in the new most iconic performance category.

'Twin, where have you been?' Muni Long arrives on the carpet

The singer's TikTok-viral song "Made For Me" is nominated in the best R&B category.

The Kelces are wishing nominees luck — 'except if you're up against Tay'

Jason and Travis Kelce are excited for everyone nominated for a moon man tonight, but they're especially hyped for Taylor Swift.

The brothers plugged the award show as one of the advertisements in this morning's episode of their podcast "New Heights." Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce proudly pointed out that his girlfriend was up for multiple VMA awards.

"Let's go, Tay! Come on, Tay!" Jason Kelce cheered.

"Stay on top! Here we go," Travis Kelce said while clapping. "Wishing everybody the best though."

"Unless you're up against Tay, then I hope you lose," his brother joked.

Anitta teases a surprise

Brazilian sensation Anitta has arrived at the VMAs ahead of her expected performance in a wedding-style dress and veil.

“It’s a little spoiler of something,” the singer told MTV on the red carpet. “But I can’t say much.”

Sabrina Carpenter shimmers on the black carpet

Sabrina Carpenter has arrived dressed in head-to-toe white. Carpenter dominated the summer charts and is nominated for seven categories tonight — including artist of the year, song of the year and song of summer. Fans are also awaiting a highly anticipated performance tonight.

LE SSERAFIM kicks off first performance of the night

South Korean girl group LE SSERAFIM just hyped up the black carpet with a pre-show performance of "1-800-hot-n-fun," a track off their fourth EP "Crazy." The group is up tonight for PUSH performance of the year for “EASY."

Shaboozey dazzles on the carpet

The country artist has had a major year, from snagging two features on Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" to releasing a smash hit with "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," which is nominated for song of the summer.

LISA looks like a 'Rockstar'

LISA, known for her work as part of K-Pop group Blackpink and as a soloist, is nominated in the best K-Pop category for her single "Rockstar." She is also expected to perform tonight.

In an interview with MTV on the carpet, she shared why her music video for the song was so special.

"I had a chance to shoot in my home country, in Bangkok, and I think it's really cool," she said.

It's a special birthday for the VMAs

This year marks the 40th anniversary of MTV's Video Music Awards.

Over the course of its history, the VMAs have remained a cornerstone of the music awards landscape despite drastic changes in the music, video and broadcast landscapes.

The show has kept its relevance in part by delivering moments of controversy that ultimately shaped pop culture history. It's also managed to integrate digital platforms into its programming, including by adding categories that honor social media success and even allowing viewers to vote for their favorite artists via Instagram stories.

Lenny Kravitz serves up his signature leather-clad look

The rockstar is nominated in the best rock category tonight for "Human."

The rapid rise of Chappell Roan

Once a niche pop singer from Missouri trying to make it in Los Angeles, Chappell Roan has skyrocketed to mainstream fame over the past year. Known for the queer themes in her music as well as her drag-inspired aesthetic, Roan’s high-energy music — paired with her deeply emotional lyricism — has earned her a cult following online.

Her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” released last September, became a sleeper hit that further cemented her status this summer as a rising pop icon. The album charted in the top five on the U.S. Billboard 200 earlier this year, after Roan’s stint as Olivia Rodrigo’s opening act and the release of her hit followup single, “Good Luck, Babe!”

The artist has been open in speaking about the impact of sudden fame on her mental health, recently telling Rolling Stone that "it's been a really hard adjustment."

The 'Midwest Princess' herself is here

Chappell Roan has arrived at the VMAs — holding a sword. The rising pop star is up for four categories this year, including best new artist and song of summer. She's also one of the night's most anticipated performers.

Katy Perry to receive the Video Vanguard Award

The pop star and recently departed American Idol judge dominated the 2010s with hits like “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls” and “Roar,” delivering some classic, candy-colored music videos along the way.

Now, ahead of her upcoming album “143,” she is being honored with the Video Vanguard Award, which celebrates artists who have made major contributions to music videos and popular culture. 

As is tradition with the winners of this award, Perry will perform a medley of her biggest hits.

Karol G's look is fire

The Colombian superstar has arrived at the VMAs red carpet. She said her outfit and performance tonight will honor her Latino community.

"It's about fire," the singer said on the carpet about her dress. "Latina community has fire everywhere," she told MTV.

She is nominated in the best latin category for “MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN.”

Who is presenting at the VMAs?

The VMAs will have a star-studded lineup of presenters this year, from celebs to influencers and even an Olympian. Here’s the full list:

• Addison Rae
• Alessandra Ambrosio
• Amelia Dimoldenberg
• Busta Rhymes
• Cyndi Lauper
• Damiano David (Måneskin)
• Flavor Flav
• French Montana
• Halle Bailey
• Jordan Chiles
• Miranda Lambert
• Naomi Scott
• Paris Hilton
• Sasha Colby
• Suki Waterhouse

Rauw Alejandro poses on the VMAs carpet

The artist is nominated in the best latin category for “Touching The Sky” and is expected to perform tonight.

There's still time to cast your ballot

If you missed the chance to vote on some of the major VMA categories, fear not. Voting for b est n ew a rtist will remain open into the live show. The three remaining contenders are:

• Chappell Roan
• Gracie Abrams

Megan Thee Stallion will host the show

Megan Thee Stallion is wrapping up her hot girl summer on the VMAs stage. The rapper had an epic summer promoting her third studio album on her first headlining tour, aptly titled the "Hot Girl Summer Tour."

Now, she’s coming to New York to host and perform at the VMAs.

When and where to watch the VMAs

The event will air live on MTV starting at 8.pm. ET. You can also catch the entire show streaming on Fubo TV and other Paramount-owned channels including VH1, BET, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network and Comedy Central.

The red carpet has officially opened

Celebrities are starting to make their way down the VMAs red carpet. Viewers can watch pre-show red carpet coverage starting at 6:30p ET on the MTV YouTube channel.

Where are the VMAs taking place this year?

The VMAs are broadcasting live from the UBS Arena on Long Island, New York. Last year, the awards show was held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

Who is performing at the VMAs?

Eminem is set to open the show with songs from his most recent album, “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce).”

Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, the two rising stars who arguably defined this summer's pop music landscape, will also perform. 

Speaking of pop queens, Katy Perry will return to the VMAs for the first time since 2017 to accept the Video Vanguard Award and perform her biggest hits.

Other performers include host Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, Anitta, Camila Cabello, Halsey, Karol G, Lenny Kravitz, LE SSERAFIM, LISA, LL Cool J, Rauw Alejandro, Shawn Mendes and Jessie Murph.

Here's a full list of tonight's VMA nominees

Drew Weisholtz, TODAY

• Ariana Grande — “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
• Billie Eilish — “LUNCH”
• Doja Cat — “Paint The Town Red”
• Eminem — “Houdini”
• SZA — “Snooze”
• Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone — “Fortnight”
• Ariana Grande
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Taylor Swift
• Beyoncé — “Texas Hold ‘Em”
• Jack Harlow — “Lovin On Me”
• Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
• Sabrina Carpenter — “Espresso”
• Teddy Swims — “Lose Control”

Best New Artist

Mtv push performance of the year.

• Aug. 2023: Kaliii — “Area Codes”
• Sept. 2023: GloRilla — “Lick or Sum”
• Oct. 2023: Benson Boone — “In The Stars”
• Nov. 2023: Coco Jones — “ICU”
• Dec. 2023: Victoria Monét — “On My Mama”
• Jan. 2024: Jessie Murph — “Wild Ones”
• Feb. 2024: Teddy Swims — “Lose Control”
• March 2024: Chappell Roan — “Red Wine Supernova”
• April 2024: Flyana Boss — “yeaaa”
• May 2024: Laufey — “Goddess”
• June 2024: LE SSERAFIM — “EASY”
• July 2024: The Warning — “Automatic Sun”
• Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA — “Rich Baby Daddy”
• GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion — “Wanna Be”
• Jessie Murph ft. Jelly Roll — “Wild Ones”
• Jung Kook ft. Latto — “Seven”
• Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen — “I Had Some Help”
• Camila Cabello
• Olivia Rodrigo

Best hip-hop 

• GloRilla — “Yeah Glo!”
• Gunna — “fukumean”
• Megan Thee Stallion — “BOA”
• Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti — “FE!N”
• Alicia Keys — “Lifeline”
• Muni Long — “Made For Me”
• Tyla — “Water”
• USHER, Summer Walker, 21 Savage — “Good Good”
• Victoria Monét — “On My Mama”

Best alternative 

• Benson Boone — “Beautiful Things”
• Bleachers — “Tiny Moves”
• Hozier — “Too Sweet”
• Imagine Dragons — “Eyes Closed”
• Linkin Park — “Friendly Fire”
• Teddy Swims — “Lose Control (Live)”
• Bon Jovi — “Legendary”
• Coldplay — “feelslikeimfallinginlove”
• Green Day — “Dilemma”
• Kings of Leon — “Mustang”
• Lenny Kravitz — “Human”
• U2 — “Atomic City”
• Anitta — “Mil Veces”
• Bad Bunny — “MONACO”
• KAROL G — “MI EX TENÍA RAZÓN”
• Myke Towers — “LALA”
• Peso Pluma & Anitta — “BELLAKEO”
• Rauw Alejandro — “Touching The Sky”
• Shakira & Cardi B — “Puntería”

Best afrobeats

• Ayra Starr ft. Giveon — “Last Heartbreak Song”
• Burna Boy — “City Boys”
• Chris Brown ft. Davido & Lojay — “Sensational”
• Tems — “Love Me JeJe”
• USHER — “Pheelz”

Best K-pop 

• LISA — “Rockstar”
• NCT Dream — “Smoothie”
• NewJeans — “Super Shy”
• Stray Kids — “LALALALA”
• TOMORROW X TOGETHER — “Deja Vu”
• Alexander Stewart — “if only you knew”
• Billie Eilish — “What Was I Made For”
• Joyner Lucas & Jelly Roll — “Best For Me”
• RAYE — “Genesis.”
• Tyler Childers — “In Your Love”
• Sabrina Carpenter — “Please Please Please”
• Charli xcx — “Von dutch”
• Dua Lipa — “Illusion”
• Olivia Rodrigo — “obsessed”

Best editing 

Best choreography .

• Dua Lipa — “Houdini”
• Tate McRae — “Greedy”
• Troye Sivan — “Rush”
• Ariana Grande — “the boy is mine”
• Justin Timberlake — “Selfish”
• Olivia Rodrigo — “get him back!”
• Charli xcx — “360”
• Olivia Rodrigo — “bad idea right?”