Personal stories and an artistic partnership facilitate celebration of self-expression, an affirmation of self-worth for people living with HIV.

Background: Despite advancements in both the treatment of HIV and reductions in stigma surrounding a diagnosis, a care gap still exists among the communities who are the most affected, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations, and especially those of LGBTQ+ and transgender experience.

Program background: I Am a Work of ART features BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people with HIV, telling how ART helped them to get back to living life on their terms. As we began our campaign to increase rates of care uptake and viral suppression treatments, our audience research showed that the best approach for this campaign was authenticity. We found and told ten real stories of the triumph and challenges of starting, and continuing, care for HIV through antiretroviral therapy (ART). We partnered with prestigious multimedia artist Temi Coker, who was passionate about the issue and the audience, to bring our subjects to life. Each poster featured testimonials about the way in which this treatment helped the subject take back control of their life and was signed by the individual. In the campaign videos, as our heroes detail their eventual decision to seek care, their black and white environment molts into beautiful color as they emerge in the vibrant hues of Temi's palette designed personally for each individual.

Evaluation Methods and Results:

The approach turned the A.R.T. abbreviation into an affirmation of self-worth and a reminder of the importance of care: “I am a work of ART.” The innovative collaboration with Temi, renowned for his graphic designs, which feature anyone from everyday Black people to LeBron James, amplifies the testimonials.

Conclusions: N/A

Implications for research and/or practice: The I Am a Work of ART campaign shows that people living with HIV aren’t just worthy of our attention, they’re worthy of our celebration.