ART IS CHANGE: Strategies & Skills for Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers

Are Art and Upheaval totally incompatible or unavoidably connected?We’re rebroadcasting this episode from 2022, in part, because the ground beneath it hasn’t settled—it’s shifted, cracked, and in some places, caught fire again. The headlines keep reminding us: conflict, repression, dislocation, the slow erosion—and sometimes the sudden collapse—of trust in our institutions and in each other.And right there, in the middle of it, the same quiet, stubborn truth this episode points to: if you scratch the surface of upheaval, you will find artists. Not on the sidelines—on the frontlines. Bearing witness. Making meaning. Holding the line while other systems falose thier grip.Three things to listen for as you step in:First, the insistence that art is not ornamental in times of crisis—it’s operational. It does real work in real conditions.Second, the pattern: loss, rupture, and then—again and again—creative acts that stitch something back together. Not perfectly. But enough to move forward.And third, the wager at the heart of it all: that imagination isn’t an escape from reality—it’s a tool for reshaping it.Some people still think you can’t beat the devil with a song.Listen closely.Then decide for yourself.Notable MentionsFor this episode of Change the Story Change the World we are going to revisit some of those Art and Upheaval stories along with the song of the same name to make a point. Yea, some people think you can’t beat the devil with a song, but they don’t know!Art &amp; Upheaval (song) From the CD Songlines by Cleveland Plainsong:Art &amp; Upheaval: Artists at Work on the World’s Frontlines, New Village PressChange the Story Change the WorldSouth African Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights is arguably the part of the Constitution that has had the greatest impact on life in this country. As the first words of this chapter say: "This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom."It has also been the source of the majority of the groundbreaking rulings the Constitutional Court has handed down. To read more about selected rights and the way the Constitutional Court has interpreted them, see children's rights, women's rights, gay and lesbian rights, workers' rights and access to information.Art for Humanity: engages with multidisciplinary arts practice and a wide variety of creative practice within the context of the pressing need for the centering of social justice in our contemporary moment. Based primarily in Durban, the organization aims to support, host, document, create space for, catalyze, and help stimulate this intersection between the arts and questions of history, social transformation and social justice. Bishop Desmond Tutu: was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both cases being the first black African to hold the position. Theologically, he sought to fuse ideas from black theology with African theology.Khmer Rouge: The Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), otherwise known as the Khmer Rouge, took control of Cambodia on April 17, 1975. The CPK created the state of Democratic Kampuchea in 1976 and ruled the country until January 1979. The party’s existence was kept secret until 1977, and no one outside the CPK knew who its leaders were (the leaders called themselves “Angkar Padevat”).While the Khmer Rouge was in power, they set up policies that disregarded human life and produced repression and massacres on a massive scale. They turned the country into a huge detention center, which later became a graveyard for nearly two million people, including their own members and even some senior leaders.Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture: Reyum was a non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to Cambodian arts and culture. Reyum was founded by Ly Daravuth and Ingrid Muan (1964 - 2005) in December 1998 in order to provide a forum for research, preservation, and promotion of traditional and contemporary Cambodian arts and culture.Watts Writers Workshop: was a creative writing group initiated by screenwriter Budd Schulberg in the wake of the devastating August 1965 Watts Riots in South Central Los Angeles (now South Los Angeles). Schulberg later said: "In a small way, I wanted to help.... The only thing I knew was writing, so I decided to start a writers' workshop."[1] The group, which functioned from 1965 to 1973, was composed primarily of young African Americans in Watts and the surrounding neighborhoods. Early on, the Workshop included a theatrical component and one of the founders was the actor Yaphet Kotto. The group expanded its facilities and activities over the next several years with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation. Government files later revealed that the Workshop had been the target of covert operations by the FBI. Writers involved in the Workshop include Quincy Troupe, Samuel Harris Jr better known as Leumas Sirrah, Johnie Scott, Eric Priestley, Ojenke, Herbert Simmons, and Wanda Coleman, as well as the poetry group Watts Prophets.Amde Hamilton: Father Amde is widely recognized for being one of the original poets in the world famous Watts Writers Workshop during the 1960’s, where he and two other poets formed the legendary rap group, the Watts Prophets. Amid racism, poverty, and police brutality that ultimately sparked the Watts Riots, the Watts Writers Workshop tapped into the young, Black voices of Los Angeles that needed to be heard.Watts Prophets: The Watts Prophets are a group of musicians and poets from Watts, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California"...

What happens when a society loses its grip on grief and numbers replace names? In this episode, social practice artist Suzanne Firstenberg turns national tragedy into human encounter, asking a simple but destabilizing question: Can art make us see each other again? From a field of more than 600,000 white flags on the National Mall to immersive installations on addiction and psychological trauma,Firstenberg's work doesn't explain. It reveals. Each project begins with a question beneath the surface: not how people fall apart, but why. Not how many died, but who they were.Her process moves through research, deep listening, and public participation to transform private pain into shared space. Whether through handwritten memorials, recorded voices, or silent visual scale, she creates conditions where strangers become witnesses. What emerges is not consensus, but connection. In a culture fractured by disinformation, fear, and isolation, Firstenberg reframes the problem:Extremism behaves like addiction because it is reinforced by dopamine and sustained by repetition. Anger is often grief in disguise. Community is not optional. It's the mechanism of healing. Her current work asks a quiet but radical question: "Can we be we again?". It’s an invitation, not a slogan. This episode offers more than insight. It offers a practice that includes paying attention to what's unseen, asking better questions, and staying in the conversation, especially when it's hard. The work of art, at its most useful, is not to decorate the world, but to make us more capable of living in it.Notable Mentions People Suzanne Firstenberg: Social practice artist known for large-scale, public installations addressing grief and public memoryEleanor Roosevelt: Former First Lady and human rights advocate whose mentorship shaped early social policy workDan Patrick: Texas Lieutenant Governor whose early pandemic comments influenced the conceptual framing of Firstenberg’s memorial work Pablo Picasso: An artist whose painting informs Firstenberg’s large-scale historical documentation workOrganizations Charles F. Kettering Foundation:The Charles F. Kettering Foundation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, operating foundation with a mission to advance inclusive democracies worldwide by fostering citizen engagement,promoting government accountability, and countering authoritarianism.Democracy and the Arts: The Kettering Foundation's focus area for integrating the power of the arts into democratic life locally, nationally, and globallyNational Park Service: Federal agency that partnered in hosting In America: Remember, Firstenberg’s National Mall InstallationThe Washington Post: Coverage of COVID death framing that helped catalyze In America: RememberWUSA9 (CBS Washington DC) — Produced documentary coverage of In America: Remember Rupert Landscape : Landscape contractor that helped install In America: Remember Events &amp; Places In America: Remember: Suzanne Firstenberg’s 2021 Washington D.C. installation honoring individuals who have died from COVID-19COVID19 Pandemic — CDC Overview: A CDC overview of the global health crisis that forms the central context for In America: RememberBloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, WA: Artist residency site that sparked Firstenberg’s addiction-focused workPublications and Paintings Denying to the Grave: A book by Sara and Jack Gorman that examines denial, belief systems, and resistance to scientific truthGuernica (1937): An iconic antiwar painting by Pablo Picasso referenced by Firstenberg as structural inspirationAcknowledgmentsFrom FreeSound.orgThrobbing bass pad.aiff by Raille -- https://freesound.org/s/342146/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0coins.m4a by djfroyd -- https://freesound.org/s/529187/ -- License: Attribution 3.0*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

Active citizenship isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a life path that can be cultivated from a young age.That’s exactly what Ann Cleveland, a Waldorf educator, dives into with us. In our conversation she takes a deep look at how arts-infused education transforms kids into engaged citizens.Forget the boring lectures about democracy; here, kids are living it through music, movement, and storytelling. Ann shares how children practice collaboration and empathy every single day in the classroom, honing the skills they’ll need to navigate the complex social fabric of the world around them.This isn’t just enrichment; it’s the core of their learning experience! Ann emphasizes how arts integrated education helps kids develop self-regulation and attention – essential tools for any democratic society. Anne paints a picture of the classroom as a vibrant community where every voice matters, and every action has purpose.As we riff on the importance of rhythm and repetition, we discover that it’s not just about keeping kids entertained; it’s about grounding them in their bodies and helping them learn to connect with others. Ann’s insights on how the Waldorf approach fosters a sense of belonging and interdependence are not just fascinating; they’re vital in today’s world where the idea of community often feels fractured. So, grab your paintbrush or a musical instrument, and let’s explore how the arts are more than just a creative outlet—they’re a pathway to active, engaged citizenship!Notable MentionsPeopleAnne Cleveland: Waldorf educator, musician, and movement teacher interviewed in this episode about arts-infused education, sensory integration, and democratic practice.Rudolf Steiner: Austrian thinker and founder of anthroposophy whose educational ideas led to Waldorf schooling.Elsa Gotkins: Waldorf educator and mentor cited by Anne Cleveland for her approach to teaching students to listen closely and make non-judgmental observations in music.Bill Cleveland: Host of Art Is Change and director of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Judy Munsen: Composer and sound designer for Art Is Change.Andre Nnebe: Text editor for Art Is Change.PlacesSanta Cruz Waldorf School: California Waldorf school cited by Anne Cleveland as her current teaching community.Association of Waldorf Schools of North America: North American membership organization for independent Waldorf schools and institutes; a reliable overview source for Waldorf education in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community: Producing organization behind Art Is Change.Events / PracticesWaldorf Education: Arts-integrated educational approach referenced throughout the episode, emphasizing developmental stages, imagination, embodiment, and community life.May Faire / school festivals at Santa Cruz Waldorf School: School-based festivals and seasonal rituals, including the Maypole tradition Anne discusses as part of rhythm, anticipation, and shared community practice.Santa Cruz Waldorf School curriculum: Official school description of its class-teacher model and holistic developmental curriculum, closely aligned with what Anne describes in the interview.Waldorf Class Plays: Annual whole-class theater productions discussed in the interview as a recurring exercise in collaboration, responsibility, and shared purpose.Seed Song: Anne Cleveland’s improvised classroom music-and-movement exercise that helped a dysregulated group of children settle, imagine, and reconnect.PublicationsHelping Children on Their Way: Educational Support for the Classroom — Elizabeth Auer, editor: Collection of classroom support essays on helping children with varied learning and developmental needs.Games Children Play: How Games and Sport Help Children Develop — Kim Brooking-Payne: Guide to age-appropriate games and movement activities for children; identified in the transcript as a practical resource Anne uses.Free, Equal and Mutual: Rebalancing Society for the Common Good — Martin Large and Steve Briault, editors: Anthology on Steiner’s threefold social ideas and their relevance to public life and the common good.A Practical Guide to Curative Education: The Ladder of the Seven Life Processes — Robyn M. Brown: Practical guide for educators working with children facing developmental and learning challenges.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

ART IS CHANGE – Art is ResistanceWhat happens when freedom of expression is under pressure? When speech narrows, fear rises, and the future feels smaller than it should?In this episode, we explore how activist artists and cultural organizers have historically stepped into these moments—not as decoration or entertainment, but as essential agents of democratic life. Through vivid stories from different times and places, the episode reveals how cultural practice reshapes what people believe is possible.In this episode, you’ll hear:How public murals in post-revolutionary Mexico helped people see themselves as part of historyHow a single performance of “Strange Fruit” forced audiences to confront racial violence they had learned to ignoreHow participatory theater in Brazil turned audiences into active agents of changeHow a one-minute protest by Pussy Riot disrupted authoritarian control and spread globallyThese stories point to a deeper truth: resistance is not only political—it is cultural, emotional, and imaginative. The episode offers a powerful reminder that movements endure when people can see themselves, each other, and a different future more clearly.Listen, reflect, and consider: what are the cultural practices—large or small—that help keep imagination, connection, and democracy alive in your own community?Notable MentionsPeopleDiego Rivera — Mexican muralist whose large-scale public works helped define post-revolutionary national identity by centering workers, Indigenous history, and social struggle. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diego-Rivera)José Clemente Orozco — Influential muralist known for his stark, often critical depictions of revolution, human suffering, and political power. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Clemente-Orozco)David Alfaro Siqueiros — Politically engaged artist who advanced muralism as a tool for mass communication and revolutionary consciousness. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Alfaro-Siqueiros)Billie Holiday — Legendary vocalist whose performance of “Strange Fruit” transformed a protest poem into a defining moment of cultural resistance. (https://www.biography.com/musicians/billie-holiday)Abel Meeropol — Teacher and activist who wrote “Strange Fruit,” one of the most powerful anti-lynching works in American history. (https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/abel-meeropol)Augusto Boal — Creator of Theatre of the Oppressed, a participatory approach that turns audiences into active agents in rehearsing social change. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Augusto-Boal)Paulo Freire — Revolutionary educator whose ideas on critical pedagogy and liberation deeply influenced participatory arts and social change movements. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paulo-Freire)Organizations / MovementsMexican Muralism — A government-supported movement that brought art into public spaces to tell a people-centered story of Mexican history and identity. (https://www.theartstory.org/movement/mexican-muralism/)Theatre of the Oppressed — A global practice using interactive performance to help people explore and rehearse responses to oppression. (https://organizingengagement.org/models/theatre-of-the-oppressed/)Pussy Riot — Artist collective known for provocative public performances challenging authoritarianism and restrictions on free expression. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pussy-Riot)PlacesCafé Society — The first racially integrated nightclub in New York City, where Billie Holiday debuted “Strange Fruit” in 1939. (https://www.nyhistory.org/blogs/cafe-society-and-strange-fruit)Cathedral of Christ the Savior — Site of Pussy Riot’s 2012 protest performance, symbolizing the intersection of religious authority and state power. (https://www.britannica.com/place/Cathedral-of-Christ-the-Savior)Key Works / ConceptsStrange Fruit — A haunting protest song written by Abel Meeropol and performed by Billie Holiday, confronting the reality of racial terror in the United States. (https://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-640309/)Public Art as Civic Storytelling — The use of accessible, shared spaces to reshape public understanding of history, identity, and power.Cultural Resistance — Creative practices that challenge dominant narratives, sustain movements, and expand what people believe is possible.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What use is art makingwhen freedom is under fire?From the Center for the Study of Art and Community? This is Art is Change, a chronicle of art and social change where activist artists and cultural organizers share the strategies and skills they need to thrive as creative community leaders. My name is Bill ClevelandThis episode is part of a special Art In Action series we're producing in partnership with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation Democracy and the Arts program. In these episodes, we'll be speaking with artists, cultural organizers and arts leaders who are navigating and challenging current efforts to to limit free creative expression and free speech.Together, we'll explore what freedom of expression means in practice, not as an abstract right, but as a lived responsibility at the heart of democratic life.This show features my conversation with painter, organizer, educator and “root waterer” Jordan Seaberry,about what happens when art moves beyond decoration and entertainment and becomes a powerful civic practice for listening, organizing and building people power. Jordan's work, which spans painting, policy, comics, teaching and movement building, is all grounded in the conviction that human creativity is not extra.Along the way, we follow Jordan's journey from the south side of Chicago to the Rhode Island School of Design, otherwise known as RISD, to Oregon organizing around prisoners rights, studying at Roger Williams University School of Law, and helping lead the US Department of Art and Culture.In it we will learn about:* How Jordan's life as a painter and organizer came together from RISD disillusionment to grassroots organizing, law school teaching and cultural strategy.* Why listening is central to both art art and organizing. Whether the canvas becomes an ear or an organizer helps someone rehear their own life with dignity* How artists can generate real civic power by joining movements, helping build alternative systems, and challenging dominant institutions from both inside and the street.Notable MentionsPeopleJordan Seaberry — Painter, organizer, educator, and co-director at the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, whose practice bridges painting, policy, comics, and movement work.Adam Horowitz — Founding leader in the creation of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture’s people-powered national framework.Arlene Goldbard — Writer, speaker, and longtime cultural activist who helped shape USDAC’s founding vision.Gabriel Baez — Cultural organizer and early USDAC leader involved in its national development.Jonathan Highfield — RISD faculty member and an important mentor in Jordan’s political and intellectual formation.Carlton Turner — Artist, organizer, and co-founder of Sipp Culture, building rural cultural infrastructure in Mississippi.Brandi Turner — Co-director of Sipp Culture and key partner in its community-rooted cultural work.Dan Denvir — Host of The Dig, the podcast Jordan names as a useful guide in making sense of the current political moment.Nadine Bloch — Activist, trainer, and creative strategist with Beautiful Trouble, mentioned in connection with artists against authoritarianism work.Michelle Alexander — Civil rights advocate and author of The New Jim Crow, one of the books Jordan cites as deeply influential.Richard Powers — Novelist and author of Bewilderment and The Overstory, both named in Jordan’s recommendations.Jon Fogel — Author of Punishment-Free Parenting, which Jordan connects to broader questions of punishment and power.Kathryn Bigelow — Director of A House of Dynamite, the film Jordan references in thinking about the state and the individual.OrganizationsU.S. Department of Arts and Culture — A people-powered, non-governmental “performance piece” that prefigures what a real federal department of arts and culture could do in support of cultural democracy.Charles F. Kettering Foundation — Partner on the Art in Action series through its work connecting democracy, public life, and the arts.Democracy and the Arts at the Kettering Foundation — Kettering’s focus area for integrating the power of the arts into democratic life locally, nationally, and internationally.Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) — Jordan’s alma mater and now one of the places where he teaches.Jordan Seaberry at RISD — RISD faculty profile outlining his work as a painter, organizer, and educator.Roger Williams University School of Law — The law school where Jordan studied while deepening the connection between art, policy, and public life.“Radical Imagination, Radical Listening” at RWU Law — Profile of Jordan’s path through Roger Williams and the role legal study played in his work.Sipp Culture — Mississippi-based cultural organization founded by Carlton and Brandi Turner, named here as a powerful example of alternative system building through art, food, land, and community.Beautiful Trouble — Creative strategy hub for activists and organizers, referenced in connection with USDAC collaborations.The Nonviolence Institute — Providence-based organization where Jordan served as director of public policy.Publications, media, and resourcesThe Dig — Socialist podcast Jordan cites as part of his effort to understand the current political landscape.Bewilderment — Richard Powers novel exploring empathy, climate grief, and the human relationship to the living world.The Overstory — Powers’s earlier novel, invoked here as part of the same moral and ecological terrain.A House of Dynamite — Kathryn Bigelow’s Netflix political thriller, which Jordan reads as a study in how governments can reduce ordinary people to pieces on a strategic board.The New Jim Crow — Michelle Alexander’s landmark book on mass incarceration and racialized punishment in the United States.Punishment-Free Parenting — Jon Fogel’s book, which Jordan links to deeper questions about discipline, punishment, and retribution.Related episodeArt Is Change, Episode 78 featuring Carlton Turner — Bill notes this earlier conversation in connection with Sipp Culture and Mississippi-rooted cultural organizing

What does it actually take to build a democracy the people own?The Artist Proof story takes us to Johannesburg, where a print studio becomes a living laboratory for a new society. We also hear about:• A court built as art, where law and lived experience meet in the same space• A collective studio where artists divided by apartheid learn to work, argue, and make meaning together• A fire, a death, and a return to the ashes—where broken pieces become the raw material for rebuildingWhat emerges isn’t a heroic artist story. It’s something quieter and more durable: a way of working where creativity becomes infrastructure—where access, collaboration, and persistence slowly reshape how people see themselves and each other. Not a moment. A practice. Not a symbol. A system.Stay with this. There’s something here about how change really happens—how culture does the long work that politics alone can’t finish.NOTABLE MENTIONSOrganizations &amp; PlacesArtist Proof StudioA Johannesburg-based printmaking and training center founded in 1991, focused on access, collaboration, and professional development for emerging artists across South Africa and the continent.Constitution HillHistoric site of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, built on a former prison complex and integrating art into its architecture as part of democratic nation-building.PeopleKim BermanArtist, educator, and co-founder of Artist Proof Studio, known for her work in printmaking and arts education tied to social transformation.Nelson MandelaAnti-apartheid leader and South Africa’s first democratically elected president, whose release in 1990 marked a turning point in the country’s transition.Albert LutuliNobel Peace Prize laureate and president of the African National Congress, imprisoned during apartheid.Joe SlovoKey leader in the anti-apartheid struggle and later a government minister in democratic South Africa.Mahatma GandhiLived and organized in South Africa early in his career; his imprisonment there shaped his philosophy of nonviolent resistance.EventsHuman Rights DayCommemorated on March 21, marking the Sharpeville Massacre and honoring the struggle for human rights in South Africa.End of ApartheidThe dismantling of South Africa’s system of racial segregation and the transition to democratic governance in the early 1990s.Institutions &amp; MediaSouth African Broadcasting CorporationSouth Africa’s public broadcaster, covering national cultural and economic developments including the arts sector.*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

Is Community-Based Artmaking at the Heart of Cultural Democracy?In this conversation, community arts organizer, educator and theater maker Matt Schwarzman describes his mission to make collaborative art making a regular, normal, expected part of everyday life. A movement that has quietly grown for decades, but now faces a new test in a time of democratic strain.Along the way, he traces his influences from John o' Neill and the Free Southern the to the grassroots cultural movements of the 1980s and 90s that helped shape a generation of artists who see culture not as decoration but as civic infrastructure.Matt's journey winds through several decades of cultural organizing from sea to era arts jobs in Philadelphia to community organizing in Oakland and youth theater in post Katrina New Orleans.Across these projects, a single thread emerges the idea that community arts is a learnable, cross sector civic practice, an amalgam of organizing, teaching and art making.In our conversation, we talk about:The influence of seminal cultural leaders like John O'Neal, whose minimalist storytelling and story circle methodology help build national networks of cultural democracyHow youth arts programs can serve as modern rites of passage that help young people claim civic voice and leadershipAnd how storytelling, imagination and collective creation are foundational skills for sustaining democratic life.Notable MentionsPeopleMat Schwarzman – Trinity City ArtsCommunity arts organizer, educator, theater maker, and co-creator of Trinity City Comics and A Beginner’s Guide to Community-Based Arts.John O’Neal – SNCC Digital GatewayPlaywright, storyteller, organizer, and founder of Junebug Productions; a key influence on Schwarzman’s understanding of cultural democracy and story circles.Keith Knight – K ChroniclesCartoonist and collaborator with Mat Schwarzman on A Beginner’s Guide to Community-Based Arts.Rhodessa Jones – Cornell Arts &amp; SciencesPerformer, teacher, and co-artistic director of Cultural Odyssey, cited in the episode through her theater work with formerly incarcerated women.Rinku SenOrganizer, strategist, and writer whose work at the Center for Third World Organizing helped shape Schwarzman’s understanding of community organizing.Gary Delgado – American UniversityOrganizer, scholar, and founder of the Center for Third World Organizing; one of the people Schwarzman credits with teaching him organizing practice.Steve Prince – Studio WebsiteArtist and educator who worked with Trinity City Arts and helped mentor youth comic-makers on Trinity City Comics.Judith Malina – The Living TheatreCo-founder of the Living Theatre, referenced for her writing on the artist’s role during periods of counter-revolution.Octavia E. Butler – Hachette author pageVisionary novelist whose Afrofuturist imagination and Parable novels deeply influence Schwarzman’s current work.Robert M. Sapolsky – Stanford ProfileNeuroscientist and writer whose work on behavior, biology, and violence informs Schwarzman’s thinking.PlacesNew Orleans / BolbanchaSchwarzman’s home base and the setting for much of his current work; he names it as Bolbancha, “the place of many tongues.”PhiladelphiaCity where Schwarzman began his paid community arts work at Big Small Theater and connected with the Painted Bride Art Center.OaklandWhere Schwarzman trained in organizing through the Center for Third World Organizing and developed the East Bay Institute for Urban Arts.Alameda, CaliforniaBill Cleveland’s home base, acknowledged in the episode as Ohlone land.San Francisco Bay AreaThe broader region where Schwarzman worked at New College of California and built his arts-and-organizing practice.EventsComprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)Federal jobs program that helped support the arts position Schwarzman took in Philadelphia in the mid-1980s.Hurricane KatrinaThe storm whose aftermath shaped Schwarzman’s New Orleans youth theater work, including the Creative Forces Youth Theater Company.Chicago Conference of the Alliance for Cultural Democracy ArchiveReferenced in the episode as one of the gatherings that connected Schwarzman to a wider national arts-and-democracy network.Junebug Productions: Our StoryThe institutional home for John O’Neal’s post–Free Southern Theater work, including the Junebug Jabbo Jones performances mentioned in the episode.PublicationsA Beginner’s Guide to Community-Based Arts, 2nd EditionComics-illustrated guide co-authored by Mat Schwarzman and Keith Knight, designed to demystify community-based arts practice.Parable of the SowerOctavia Butler’s novel, cited by Schwarzman as a major influence on Trinity City Comics and his interest in Afrofuturism.Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and WorstRobert Sapolsky’s wide-ranging study of the biological roots of behavior, referenced in the conversation as a current fascination.Do Dogs Laugh?Jake Page’s popular science book on canine behavior, cited by Schwarzman in relation to theater, performance, and social roles.AcknowledgementsFrom Freesound.orgbeautiful or ominous music box.wav by xtrgamr -- https://freesound.org/s/268511/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Eerie Horror Background Music with Ominous Dark Atmosphere by Matio888 -- https://freesound.org/s/793481/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Audio Exerpt:"Don't Start Talking...Junebug Jabbo Jones”Stevenson J. Palfi's 1985 television adaptation of playwright/actor John O' Neal's bravura one-man theater piece."Don’t Start Me Talking Or I'll Tell You Everything Know. Sayings From the Life and Writings of Junebug Jabbo Jones” was created by O' Neal as the final production of the Free Southern Theater, which had been formed in 1963 to be a cultural arm of the Civil Rights Movement.The play was developed in the community workshop-feedback style with O'Neal's principle collaborator, the theater director Steven Kent,#ANALOGLAB.ORG#ANALOG LAB#SOUTHEAST MEDIA PRODUCTION...

What happens when artists step forward not just to create, but to defend the freedom to create?In this opening episode of a new Art in Action series produced with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, Bill Cleveland speaks with Joni Doherty, Senior Program Officer for Democracy and the Arts. Their conversation begins with a rediscovered 1964 speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in Dayton, Ohio, and unfolds into a powerful exploration of how artists today are confronting censorship, recovering buried histories, and expanding the civic imagination.As Doherty explains, the arts are not merely decoration for democracy—they are one of its most powerful engines.Through stories of collaboration between artists, poets, dancers, and community leaders in Dayton, the conversation reveals how creative work can become a living civic process, one that helps communities reflect on their past, confront their present, and imagine new futures.In this episode we explore:How an almost forgotten Martin Luther King Jr. speech sparked a multi—disciplinary arts movement in Dayton, Ohio.How artists are confronting censorship and cultural erasure by reclaiming hidden histories and expanding the frame of what we see.Why artistic creativity may be one of democracy’s most powerful tools—what Cleveland calls a kind of “creative cold fusion.”Listen in as Joni Doherty shares how artists, community leaders, and cultural institutions are working together to defend freedom of expression, and why the work of imagination is essential to the future of democracy.Notable MentionsPeopleJoni Doherty – Senior Program Officer for Democracy and the Arts at the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, working to build collaborations between artists and civic institutions that strengthen democratic life.Bill Cleveland – Artist, writer, and host of Art Is Change, known for documenting the role of community-based arts in social transformation.Martin Luther King Jr. – Civil rights leader whose philosophy of nonviolent resistance and moral courage continues to inspire movements for justice and democratic freedom.Bing Davis – Dayton based visual artist and community arts leader whose work explores African American history, identity, and cultural resilience.Sharon L. Davies – President and CEO of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, leading initiatives focused on democracy, civic engagement, and innovation.Debbie Blunden-Diggs – Executive Director and Artistic Director of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, one of the nation’s leading modern dance organizations.Sarah Lewis – Art historian and author whose work explores perception, race, and representation in visual culture.Sierra Leone -Governor’s Award winner, poet and writer Sierra Leone is the president, artistic director and cofounder of OFP Theatre and Production Company. For more than a decade, Ohio has benefitted from Sierra's vision of creative urban arts as a powerful artistic medium to bring communities together across racial, cultural, ideological, and economic divides.OrganizationsCharles F. Kettering Foundation — A nonpartisan research foundation focused on affirming and advancing inclusive democracy and countering authoritarianism..Democracy and the Arts at the Kettering Foundation — One of the Kettering Foundation’s five focus areas. The Democracy and the Arts program integrates the unique power of the arts into the foundation’s and partners with Art Is Change for the Art in Action podcast series.Dayton Art Institute A major regional art museum that hosts exhibitions and community arts programming.Dayton Contemporary Dance Company – One of the nation’s premier modern dance companies, known for work rooted in African American cultural traditions.EboNia Gallery — A gallery owned by Willis “Bing” Davis that exhibits contemporary African—American artwork. Located in the Wright—Dunbar District in Dayton, it co—hosted the Visual Voices exhibition discussed in the podcast.Smithsonian Institution – The United States’ national museum and research complex, referenced in the conversation in relation to debates over cultural representation and censorship.Events &amp; Historical ReferencesCold Fusion Announcement (1989) – A controversial scientific claim made by chemists Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons that nuclear fusion had been achieved at room temperature.The Third Reich – Nazi Germany (1933—1945), referenced as an example of authoritarian regimes suppressing artistic freedom.Stalinist Russia – Period of Soviet rule marked by strict political control and censorship of artistic expression.Cambodian Genocide – Under the Khmer Rouge regime (1975—1979), artists,intellectuals, and cultural practitioners were systematically persecuted.PublicationsThe Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America – A book by Sarah Lewis that examines hos visual culture and perception shape racial understanding and historical memory.Visual Voices: An Exhibition of African American Artists Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 1964 Dayton Speech — A catalog that includes all of the works in the exhibition discussed in the podcast.Visual Voices: Storytelling Through Poetry — An anthology of ekphrastic poems created in response to the artwork in Visual Voices: An Exhibition of African American Artists Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 1964 Dayton Speech..*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

You can feel it in the air.Across museums, national parks, libraries, and cultural institutions, the pressure around what can be said — and what must disappear — is tightening.But while federal policies attempt to narrow the public cultural space, artists, historians, librarians, educators, and cultural organizers are responding in real time — documenting what’s being erased, refusing complicity, and building new civic infrastructure.In this report, Bill Cleveland surveys the emerging landscape of creative resistance and cultural restriction across the United States.From citizen historians documenting museum censorship at the Smithsonian to artists leaving politicized institutions like the Kennedy Center, the story unfolding is not just about politics — it’s about who controls public memory. In this episode you’ll hearHow citizen historians are systematically documenting changes to museum exhibits and historical interpretation — turning smartphones and metadata into tools of cultural preservation.About artists and cultural leaders are increasingly walking away from institutions where political interference threatens artistic integrity.kHow libraries, classrooms, and community arts programs, cultural workers are developing creative strategies to defend access to history, literacy, and civic dialogue.Notable MentionsPeopleMarc Bamuthi Joseph – Kennedy Center Artist ProfileFormer Vice President and Artistic Director of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center whose public remarks following his dismissal highlighted the cultural and political tensions surrounding leadership changes at the institution.Amy Goodman – Democracy Now!Journalist and host of the independent news program Democracy Now! which reported on the Kennedy Center controversy and broader cultural policy developments.Kim Snyder – Filmmaker WebsiteDocumentary filmmaker whose work focuses on civic life, social justice, and democratic culture, including her film examining librarian resistance to book bans.Rep. Brendan Boyle – U.S. House of RepresentativesCongressman representing Pennsylvania who has advocated for restoring historical interpretation about slavery at the President’s House historic site in Philadelphia.Organizations &amp; InitiativesCitizen Historians for the Smithsonian – Smithsonian Magazine CoverageVolunteer effort documenting exhibit labels and interpretive texts across Smithsonian museums to preserve records of historical interpretation.Smithsonian National Portrait GallerySmithsonian museum in Washington, D.C., referenced in the episode in connection with efforts to document removed or revised exhibit texts.John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtsNational cultural institution that has become a focal point for debates about political influence in arts institutions.National Park ServiceFederal agency responsible for interpretive materials at national historic sites where historical narratives have recently been subject to review and dispute.Reuters – International News AgencyNews organization that reported on federal reviews of museum exhibits, park signage, and historical interpretation.Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)Public television network distributing documentary work addressing civic and cultural issues.Publications / MediaDemocracy Now! – Independent News ProgramDaily news program covering political developments affecting arts institutions and cultural policy.The Librarians – PBS Documentary FilmDocumentary film directed by Kim Snyder examining the rise of book bans and the librarians pushing back.Cultural EventsYoung Worker March on Washington – Coverage in The NationYouth labor mobilization addressing affordability, housing, healthcare, and worker rights, highlighting the economic pressures shaping the lives of many artists and cultural workers.Punk in the Park FestivalTouring punk festival whose 2026 events were canceled after bands withdrew in response to controversy surrounding political donations by the festival’s promoter.Acknowledgements (FreeSound.Org)thunder1.wav by fastson -- https://freesound.org/s/57778/ -- License: Attribution 3.0Hello User: Bright Cheery Intro Music by jjmarsan -- https://freesound.org/s/476070/ -- License: Attribution 4.0photo press Conference.WAV by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/179209/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Dream-Drifting by audiomirage -- https://freesound.org/s/665193/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Upbeat Punk Rock - bpm 150 loop by DenKyschuk -- https://freesound.org/s/753195/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Over the Water - Variations 1 by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/645881/ -- License: Attribution 4.0*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

Arts On Prescription: What if your doctor prescribed an arts-based treatment for what ails you and your health insurance paid for it.YEAH RIGHT! Actually, Yeah, right, and REALLY! In this episode we learn all about it in Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for U. S. CommunitiesBIO'sDr. Tasha Golden directs research for the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins Medicine. As a national leader in arts + public health, Dr. Golden studies the impacts of arts &amp; culture, music, aesthetics, and social norms on well-being, health research, and professional practice. She has authored many publications related to arts and health, served as an advisor on several national health initiatives, and is adjunct faculty for the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine.In addition to her research, Golden is a career artist and entrepreneur. As singer-songwriter for the critically acclaimed band Ellery, she toured full-time in the U.S. and abroad, and her songs appear in feature films and TV dramas (ABC, SHOWTIME, FOX, NETFLIX, etc). She is also a published poet and has taught university courses in public health as well as in writing, rhetoric, and literature. Holding a Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences, Dr. Golden draws on her diverse background to develop innovative, interdisciplinary presentations and partnerships that advance health, health equity, creativity, and well-being.Dr. Golden is also the founder of Project Uncaged: an arts-based health intervention for incarcerated teen women that amplifies their voices in community and policy discourses. These young folx are among her greatest teachers.Jill Sonke, PhD, is director of research initiatives in the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida (UF), director of national research and impact for the One Nation/One Project initiative, and co-director of the EpiArts Lab, a National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab. She is an affiliated faculty member in the UF School of Theatre &amp; Dance, the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, the Center for African Studies, the STEM Translational Communication Center, and the One Health Center, and is an editorial board member for Health Promotion Practice journal. She served in the pandemic as a senior advisor to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Confidence and Demand Team on the COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Task Force and currently serves on the steering committee of the Jameel Arts &amp; Health Lab, established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Steinhardt School at New York University, Community Jameel, and CULTURUNNERS.With 28 years of experience and leadership in the field of arts in health and a PhD in arts in public health from Ulster University in Northern Ireland, Jill is active in research and policy advocacy nationally and internationally. She is an artist and a mixed methods researcher with a current focus on population-level health outcomes associated with arts and cultural participation, arts in public health, and the arts in health communication. Notable MentionsNotable MentionsArts On Prescription: A Field Guide for US Communities.: A roadmap for communities to develop programs that integrate arts, culture, and nature resources into local health and social care systems. prescription Anne Basting, Creative Care: Basting pioneers a radical change in how we interact with older loved ones, especially those experiencing dementia, as she introduces a proven method that uses the creative arts to bring light and joy to the lives of elders.Atlantic Fellowship:Through seven global, interconnected programs, Atlantic Fellows collaborate across borders and disciplines to address the root causes of inequity.Veronica Rojas is an Atlantic Fellow who works in different art programs in the San Francisco Bay Area that either serve adults with developmental disabilities or older adults, many with dementia. She is both a practicing and teaching artist.Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida (UF): Using creativity to advance health, wellness, and equity as a trained arts in health professional. Promote health one creative moment at a time.International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins Medicine,Tennessee Whiskey, Tasha Golden, from Over Land, Over SeaInterlochen Arts Academy: “A global community of like-minded artists, you'll discover a high school for the arts (grades 9-12) you may only have dreamed about.”Mass Cultural Council, CultureRX: Mission - To build a public infrastructure that supports the role of cultural experiences as a protective factor in the health and well-being of all people in the Commonwealth.United Kingdom, National Health Service, social prescribing infrastructure is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.. Alan Siegel advocate for social prescribingHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield in New Jersey/New Jersey Performing Arts Center: Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has made a $3 million gift to NJPAC to support new arts and wellness programming both at the Arts Center and throughout Newark. Health Organization's definition of health, World Health Organization published a social prescribing toolkit.Federal Reserve Bank of New York/Social Prescribing: On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in partnership with Social Prescribing USA, hosted an in-person event discussing how medical prescriptions for patients to participate in community activities such as walking in nature, creating and viewing art, joining social groups, and volunteering can improve public health.Quebec, Mediateur Culturel, For several years, the City of Quebec has been developing cultural mediation projects between professional artists and citizens. By bringing art into their living environment and involving them in the creative process, cultural mediation places citizens at the heart of the artistic process. Here are the works of art created so far in all the boroughs of Quebec.Dr. Daisy Fancourt, is a British researcher who is an Associate Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London.[3][4][5] Her research focuses on the effects of social factors on health, including loneliness, social isolation, community assets, arts and cultural engagement, and social prescribing.[6Social Prescribing USA: “Our mission is to make social...

How can a play devised by enemies, performed in four locations across a peace wall in the middle of a war zone help provoke lasting peace?In November 1999, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a community play called The Wedding brought Protestants and Catholics together to rehearse a shared future in the fragile aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement. It wasn’t a feel-good arts project. It was risky, volatile, negotiated truth performed in living rooms and kitchen houses on both sides of the peace line.In this episode, we revisit that moment — not as nostalgia, but as a live question for a divided United States struggling to imagine a coherent democratic future.In this episode, we explore three critical lessons from Belfast that feel urgently relevant today:Proximity changes people. Intimacy — not abstraction — makes caricature impossible.Shared labor builds trust before shared opinion. Competence together can precede consensus.Hope is not a feeling. It’s a container built through practice. Democracy survives inside structured collaboration, not slogans.Listen in for a return to Belfast — and a serious invitation to consider what it would mean to rehearse the future together, here and now.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of Art Is Change and author of Art and Upheaval.David TrimbleLeader of the Ulster Unionist Party and key political figure in the Good Friday Agreement.George J. MitchellU.S. Senator and American peace envoy who chaired the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement.Joe EganBelfast theater director and key figure in the development of The Wedding.Martin LynchPlaywright and co-creator of The Wedding, known for community-based theater work in Northern Ireland.Organizations &amp; InitiativesUlster Unionist PartyPolitical party central to the post-Agreement negotiations referenced in the episode.The Good Friday Agreement (1998)The landmark peace accord that helped end decades of violence known as The Troubles.Community Arts Forum (CAFÉ)Belfast-based organization that supported cross-community arts initiatives including The Wedding.The Shankill–Short Strand Peace LineOne of Belfast’s “peace walls” dividing Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods.PublicationsArt and Upheaval by Bill ClevelandBook documenting community-based cultural work in conflict zones, including three chapters on The Wedding.The Troubles (Northern Ireland conflict)Historical overview of the 30-year conflict referenced throughout the episode.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

In this episode I talk with Arlene Goldbard about her new book that I think takes on a quiet but consequential democratic problem: how, in unstable times, the hunger for certainty can slide into surrender—of discernment, of agency, and responsibility.Rather than offering answers or heroes, her book The Intercessor uses story to explore how people learn to stay in relationship, inquiry, and ethical choice without handing their power over to charismatic leaders, rigid belief systems, or the promise of spiritual or political shortcuts.In this conversation, we explore three deeply relevant themes:Intercession as a practice of discernment, and learning how to listen without disappearing yourself in the process.How artists and cultural workers can function as bridges , helping communities resist the pull toward false certainty.And repair as a practiced skill, not an abstract ideal, but rather personal, communal, and spiritual repair that only happens when people remain accountable to one another.You’re right to call that out. No reason to shrink the ecosystem. Here it is restored—full cast, fuller descriptions, URLs embedded in the titles, and organized by the four categories you’ve been using.Notable MentionsPeopleArlene Goldbard: Cultural critic, novelist, painter, and longtime leader in community-based arts. Author of The Intercessor and In the Camp of Angels of Freedom. Her work bridges spiritual inquiry, democratic practice, and cultural organizing.Rabbi Arthur Waskow: Founder of The Shalom Center and a central prophetic voice in Jewish Renewal. A pioneer in linking Jewish spiritual practice with social justice, environmental activism, and interfaith organizing.Rabbi David Wolfe-Blank: Influential Jewish Renewal teacher known for his mystical depth and pedagogical clarity. A formative guide for many Renewal leaders, including Goldbard.Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi: Founder of the Jewish Renewal movement. Brought Hasidic mysticism, experimentation, and interspiritual dialogue into contemporary Jewish life.Paulo Freire: Brazilian educator and author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed. His concept of “conscientization” (critical consciousness) undergirds much community-based arts and democratic cultural practice.PlacesALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal: The national umbrella organization for Jewish Renewal communities, ordination programs, and spiritual leadership training.The Shalom Center: A Jewish justice organization founded by Rabbi Arthur Waskow. Engages in interfaith social action rooted in prophetic Jewish tradition.Sefaria: A free, open-access digital library of Jewish texts. Provides bilingual access to Torah, Talmud, Pirkei Avot, and other foundational sources referenced in the episode.EventsOctober 7, 2023 Attacks and Israel–Gaza War (BBC Overview): Context for the rupture explored in the novel between Sarah and Yasmine—where love collides with ideology, family pressure, and geopolitical trauma.2024 U.S. Presidential Election (Federal Election Commission Overview): The political backdrop near the novel’s close, underscoring its themes of fear, agency, democratic rehearsal, and moral discernment.PublicationsThe Intercessor: Arlene Goldbard’s novel-in-linked-stories exploring intercession as spiritual practice, discernment, ethical repair, and democratic rehearsal in troubled times.In the Camp of Angels of Freedom: Goldbard’s earlier book of portraits and reflections on spiritual and justice-oriented teachers who shaped her moral imagination.Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire: Foundational text articulating internalized oppression and participatory liberation—key intellectual grounding for community-based cultural work.Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim): Biblical love poetry invoked in the episode as an assignment in praise, eros, and relational repair—an ancient text that insists love sits at the center of existence.Pirkei Avot 2:16 (Ethics of the Fathers): Source of the teaching quoted at the close: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” A succinct ethic of sustained democratic practice.Overview of the Talmud (My Jewish Learning): Explains the dialogic, argumentative structure of Jewish learning—where disputation itself becomes a form of worship and discernment.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What Arts-Based Tool &amp; Tactics are Emerging to Meeting the MAGA Storm?This is the Arts Freedom weather report for February 11, 2026. In this episode you'll hear howArtists across the country are turning public space into sites of creative resistanceWhy local place based cultural responses in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and beyond are becoming frontline laboratories for cultural democratic practiceAnd how innovative artist led networks and cultural organizers are teaching resistance as a craft.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Renee Macklin GoodeMinneapolis poet and community member whose killing sparked mass protest, mourning, and cultural resistance. (Minnesota Public Radio)Nadya TolokonnikovaArtist and founding member of Pussy Riot; creator of Police State, referenced in connection with durational performance responding to ICE raids and militarization. (Museum of Modern Art)Daniel C. WalkerArtist whose work G Is for Genocide appeared in the New York exhibition Don’t Look: A Defense of Free Expression.Khan Nguyen Hong GuArtist whose Miami Beach window installation protesting Gaza was removed; cited as an example of censorship pressure. (Artforum)Madeline DrunotDenver-based artist whose Little Saigon project became a flashpoint for debate over representation and censorship.Organizations, Networks &amp; InitiativesCenter for the Study of Art &amp; CommunityProducing organization for ART IS CHANGE.Fall of Freedom InitiativeGrassroots cultural protest effort coordinating hundreds of creative resistance actions nationwide.NYC Resistance SalonArtist-led network using digital billboards and public installations for political dissent.Banned Book BrigadeActivist effort highlighting censorship through public performance and visual protest. (PEN America contextual resource)New York Public LibrarySite of Banned Book Brigade actions and symbolic defense of intellectual freedom.Pioneer WorksBrooklyn cultural center that hosted benefit performances supporting civil liberties.Center for Artistic ActivismOrganization providing the Artivist Toolbox—practical guidance for artists engaging power strategically.Beautiful TroubleGlobal training and documentation hub for creative resistance tactics and movement strategy.Community Arts Network ArchiveHistoric archive documenting debates, essays, and first-person accounts from the community arts field.Interference ArchiveBrooklyn-based archive preserving posters, zines, and material culture of social movements.Animating DemocracyNational initiative documenting how arts intersect with civic life and democratic practice.Natalie Karg GalleryNew York gallery that hosted Don’t Look: A Defense of Free Expression.Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (MOCA)Initial site of Tolokonnikova’s Police State performance.Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagoLater site of Police State, as the work’s themes collided with real-time events.Think Again: An Artist Activist CollaborativeCollective using mobile billboards and public art to engage civic discourse.Chinatown Art BrigadeArtist-organizer collective linking cultural storytelling to housing justice and anti-displacement work.Artist Rapid Response TeamNetwork designing banners and protest visuals that travel across movements and geographies.Publications &amp; Field ResourcesArtivist Toolbox – Center for Artistic ActivismA practical, field-tested toolkit breaking down real campaigns, tactics, risks, and outcomes for artists engaging power. Referenced in the episode as a field manual, not inspiration wallpaper.Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for RevolutionFoundational handbook and ongoing living resource documenting creative resistance tactics, principles, and case studies from movements around the world.Beautiful Trouble ToolboxThe continually updated, digital extension of the book—cataloging methods like humor, spectacle, narrative framing, and symbolic leverage.Community Arts Network ArchiveExtensive archive of essays, project notes, debates, and first-person accounts from the community arts field, capturing the moment when practitioners were still arguing their practice into existence.Interference Archive CollectionPublic archive preserving posters, zines, banners, and printed matter from social movements—treated not as nostalgia, but as evidence and usable history.Animating Democracy Resource LibraryLong-running documentation project translating cultural action into civic and institutional language without stripping it of meaning; central to understanding arts-based democratic practice.Banned Books Resource Guide – PEN AmericaContextual resource grounding the Banned Book Brigade actions referenced in the episode within the larger national landscape of censorship and free expression.*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building...

What does it look like when artists and cultural organizers respond to authoritarian pressure—not with silence or fear, but with imagination, strategy, and collective action?This January 2026 Arts Freedom Weather Report comes from Minneapolis, a city once again at the epicenter of grief, rage, courage, and creative resistance. In the wake of multiple killings, intensified ICE activity, and federal misinformation, communities across Minnesota are responding not only with protest—but with song, ritual, writing, mutual aid, and rapid-response cultural organizing.In this episode, we explore three urgent realities shaping this moment:How culture becomes infrastructure for democracy when institutions fail—through singing vigils, collective mourning, and grassroots artistic action.What decentralized resistance actually looks like on the ground, as hundreds of small, uncoordinated acts add up to something powerful and sustained.How imagination, grief, and creative practice help people endure and act, especially in communities long accustomed to state violence and surveillance.Listen in for an on-the-ground report from Minneapolis that shows how artists, organizers, and neighbors are transforming fear into solidarity—and keeping democratic culture alive under pressure.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Renee Macklin GoodeMinneapolis poet and mother whose life and work are honored in this episode. (Minnesota Public Radio)Gregory BovinoU.S. Border Patrol official referenced in discussion of federal enforcement escalation in Minnesota.Hannah ArendtPolitical theorist cited for her insights into authoritarianism, fear, and the erosion of civic imagination.Christopher FryBritish poet and playwright; excerpt from The Sleep of Prisoners is referenced during the episode.Marquis BowieMinneapolis-based poet, teaching artist, and cultural healer whose reflections on grief, writing, and survival appear in this conversation. (MN Artists / MPR)Organizations &amp; GroupsCenter for the Study of Art &amp; CommunityProducing organization for ART IS CHANGE.Resistance Revival ChorusNational movement using collective singing as protest, courage-building, and democratic practice.Hennepin Avenue United Methodist ChurchHost site for large-scale community singing and resistance gatherings in Minneapolis.Unidos MNLatino-led organization providing community safety training, constitutional observers, and mutual aid.Minnesota Arts &amp; Cultural CoalitionStatewide coalition organizing legal briefings, advocacy, and shared resources for arts organizations.Forecast Public ArtMinneapolis-based organization providing rapid-response grants and support to artists and cultural leaders.Minneapolis Arts CommissionCity commission supporting and advising on arts policy and cultural resourcesPublicationsMad Dog 30/30 by Marquis BowiePoetry collection by Minneapolis poet and teaching artist Marquis Bowie, exploring grief, rage, tenderness, survival, and Black interior life. The book is referenced in the episode in connection with Bowie’s role as a cultural healer and witness in moments of community trauma.The Sleep of Prisoners by Christopher FryVerse play referenced through an excerpt read during the episode, reflecting on war, conscience, and moral reckoning.ence, and moral reckoning.Places &amp; Contextual ReferencesGeorge Floyd SquareReferenced as part of the geographic and emotional landscape shaping current events. (New York Times)San Pablo Lutheran ChurchSite of memorial services and community gathering following Renee Nicole Goode’s death.Acknowledgements:From FreeSound.orgWinterstorm II: A Cinematic and ambient soundscape by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/552032/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Winterstorm II: A Cinematic and ambient soundscape by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/552032/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Chord Swell - Gmin by Moqally -- https://freesound.org/s/843450/ -- License: Attribution 4.0*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

So if democracy is under pressure, what role do stories, culture, and imagination play in defending it?In this episode, we're joined by Alan Jenkins, civil rights lawyer, former Ford foundation program director, Harvard Law School professor, and now comic book author, for a wide ranging conversation about story making and telling as a tool for social change. From Supreme Court litigation to graphic novels, Alan Jenkins traces how law, narrative, and culture intersect when democracy is at stake.So in our conversation, we explore three big ideas I think matter a lot right now:First, why is story inseparable from power?And how law, policy, and culture work together, whether we acknowledge it or not, to shape public belief and behavior.Next, how popular culture and art have historically been used to confront authoritarianism. From Superman and Captain America to global protest movements that borrow symbol, humor, and myth.And finally, what hybrid 21st century leadership looks like and why flexibility, empathy, and imagination may be as important as specialized expertise in this moment.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Alan JenkinsHarvard Law School professor; former civil rights and DOJ lawyer; former Director of Human Rights at the Ford Foundation; co-author of 1/6: The Graphic Novel.Anthony S. FauciFormer Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; referenced in discussion of ACT UP and activist pressure shaping public institutions.Charles LindberghAviator and political figure cited in discussion of American isolationism and authoritarian sympathies prior to World War II.Pablo PicassoArtist whose painting Guernica is referenced as a defining cultural response to fascist violence.Organizations &amp; InstitutionsHarvard Law SchoolInstitution where Alan Jenkins teaches courses on civil rights law, narrative, and Supreme Court jurisprudence.NAACP Legal Defense and Educational FundCivil rights organization where Jenkins worked early in his legal career.United States Department of JusticeReferenced in connection with Jenkins’s Supreme Court litigation experience.Ford FoundationGlobal philanthropy where Jenkins served as Director of Human Rights.Pop Culture CollaborativeOrganization that supported research on popular culture and resistance to authoritarianism referenced in the episode.Western States CenterOrganization that produced the civic action guide accompanying 1/6: The Graphic Novel.San Diego State UniversityInstitution that developed an educational guide for teaching with 1/6: The Graphic Novel.Works, Events &amp; Cultural References1/6: The Graphic NovelGraphic novel co-created by Alan Jenkins imagining a future in which the January 6 insurrection succeeded.Seven Things Artists, Entertainers, and Creatives Can Do to Protect DemocracyAlan Jenkins' article describing seven strategies that creatives in the arts can use to protect democracy from Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia to West Africa to Latin America.January 6, 2021 United States Capitol AttackHistorical event central to the episode’s discussion of democracy, narrative, and authoritarianism.ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power)Activist movement referenced for its strategic use of protest, narrative framing, and moral urgency.SupermanComic book character cited as an early example of popular culture advancing social justice narratives.Captain AmericaReferenced for his first appearance punching Adolf Hitler—months before U.S. entry into WWII.The Hunger GamesFilm and book series referenced for its three-finger salute adopted by real-world protest movements.Persepolis by Marjane SatrapiGraphic memoir referenced for its portrayal of authoritarianism and women’s lives during the Iranian Revolution.Guernica by Pablo PicassoIconic painting referenced as a lasting artistic indictment of fascist violence.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

When unchecked power rewrites the story of America, who gets to live, who gets to speak, and who quietly disappears?In this episode of ART IS CHANGE, Bill Cleveland shares next chapter in the continuing Weather Report, (now called the Arts Freedom Weather Report) Rather than chasing single headlines or isolated outrages, this episode steps back to examine the cultural climate shaping 2026: how small policy shifts stack up, how institutions quietly recalibrate under authoritarian pressure, and how artists and cultural organizations are responding in real time.In this show, we explore three critical dynamics shaping the arts and democracy right now:How culture is being strategically targeted and weaponized — through funding shifts, legal pressure, and narrative control.What’s actually happening on the ground at the NEA, in public media, museums, universities, and courts.How artists and organizers are responding with preparation, creativity, and discipline, treating resistance as a learned practice rather than a spontaneous reaction.Listen in as we establish a cultural baseline for 2026 — one we’ll return to again and again — and map the early warning signs, fault lines, and sources of strength shaping the struggle for artistic freedom and democratic life.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Renee Nicole GoodeMinneapolis poet, mother, and community member whose work and life are honored at the close of the episode. (Minnesota Public Radio)Sonia De Los SantosSinger-songwriter and educator who stepped away from a Kennedy Center performance, citing concerns that the space no longer felt welcoming.Stephen SchwartzComposer of Wicked who withdrew from a Kennedy Center gala in protest of politicization.Béla FleckBanjo innovator who canceled Kennedy Center appearances rather than participate in a politicized cultural space.Chuck ReddJazz vibraphonist and bandleader who canceled his long-running Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jam.The CookersJazz ensemble that canceled its New Year’s Eve engagement at the Kennedy Center.Wayne TuckerTrumpeter and composer who withdrew from Kennedy Center programming.Doug VaroneChoreographer whose company stepped away from scheduled Kennedy Center performances.Organizations &amp; InstitutionsCenter for the Study of Art &amp; CommunityProducing organization for ART IS CHANGE.National Endowment for the ArtsFederal arts agency examined throughout the episode for structural and policy shifts.American Alliance of MuseumsReported widespread loss of federal funding and program contraction across U.S. museums.Corporation for Public BroadcastingPublic media funder affected by the 2025 Rescissions Act.American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)Legal organization representing arts groups challenging unconstitutional funding restrictions.Theater Communications GroupNational advocacy organization involved in litigation defending artistic freedom.National Queer TheaterPlaintiff in the successful lawsuit challenging NEA viewpoint discrimination.Rhode Island Latino ArtsArts organization involved in the NEA lawsuit.The Theater OffensiveBoston-based theater organization and plaintiff in the NEA lawsuit.Laws, Policies &amp; FrameworksProject 2025Conservative blueprint for reshaping federal agencies and executive authority.Executive Order 14168Order challenged for restricting arts funding tied to “gender ideology.” (Federal Register)Rescissions Act of 2025Legislation cutting federal support for public media. (Congressional record)Ohio Senate Bill 1State legislation restricting DEI initiatives and chilling arts and humanities education.Movements &amp; Practice-Based ResistanceNational Artists Safety SurveyAnonymous survey developed by the Artists at Risk Connection documenting censorship, harassment, and threats against artists and arts organizations.Beautiful TroubleGlobal network training artists and organizers in creative, strategic resistance.Center for Artistic ActivismOrganization helping artists design interventions that apply pressure where power actually lives.Free DCDC-based movement integrating music, ritual, and performance into organizing, including Go-Go traditions.No KingsMovement centering culture, humor, and performance to assert democracy as a lived practice.Acknowledgements:From FreeSound.org03419 swirly swooshes.wav by Robinhood76 -- https://freesound.org/s/160611/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Ambient 19_Cello Song by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/720336/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Desolation Wilderness - Rain and Thunder - In Tent by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/822507/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Ambient 20_Float by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/720339/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Winterstorm I: A Cinematic and ambient soundscape by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/541062/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Darkest Thursday – A Haunting Electronic Masterpiece by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/558271/ -- License: Attribution 4.0WonkTone_125bpm01_LoopCache_AbstractPercussion.wav by aikighost -- https://freesound.org/s/199050/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Ominous by ViraMiller --...

What if a Musical Could Help us Tell the Truth About Climate Change?In this episode, Bill Cleveland sits down with theater director Emily Hartford and composer–storyteller Ned Hardford to explore Metra: A Climate Revolution with Songs—a nine-episode musical audio drama that reimagines an ancient Greek myth as a near-future climate story.What starts as a conversation about craft opens into deeper territory: imagination as resistance, music as pedagogy, and why genuinely new stories don’t come from algorithms—they come from people doing long, human work together.In it, we explore three big questions at the heart of Metra and the moment we’re living in now:How music, story, and the human voice reach places that facts, lectures, and policy arguments can’tWhat it looks like to tell a climate story without fear-mongering or “disaster porn,”How artists can build work that others can actually use,—turning art-making into cultural infrastructure rather than a one-off production.Listen in to discover how art, music, and story can help us practice a different future—and why Metra just might be the kind of narrative infrastructure we need right now.PeopleBill ClevelandHost of Change the Story / Change the World and founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Emily HartfordTheater director, writer, and producer; founding member of Flux Theater Ensemble and co-creator of Metra.Ned HartfordComposer, songwriter, audio engineer, and co-creator of Metra, focused on musical storytelling and audio drama.Alan LomaxFolklorist and field-recording pioneer whose work capturing the emotional power of the human voice is referenced in the episode.Enoch RutherfordOld-time banjo player recorded by Alan Lomax in Virginia; referenced through a story of lineage, listening, and musical transmission.Bill McKibbenClimate activist and author referenced for framing distributed solar power as a metaphor for bottom-up social change.adrienne maree brownWriter and activist whose work on emergence and collective power informs Metra’s worldview.Martin BuberPhilosopher referenced for his concept of relational connection (I–Thou), via the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.Organizations &amp; CollectivesFlux Theater EnsembleNew York–based theater company where Metra was developed and premiered, known for ensemble-driven creation and an aesthetic of liberation.Gideon MediaAudio production studio that supported the transition of Metra from stage work to musical audio drama.Third ActClimate and democracy organization referenced in connection with Ned Hartford’s activism.New York Communities for ChangeGrassroots organization cited as part of the movement ecosystem influencing the creators’ thinking.Climate DefendersClimate justice organization referenced as an example of movement-based learning and narrative change.Works &amp; PublicationsMetra: A Climate Revolution with SongsOfficial project site for the nine-episode musical audio drama.Metamorphoses by OvidSource text for the myth of Erysichthon and Metra.Here Comes the Sun by Bill McKibbenReferenced for its account of decentralized solar power as a model for social transformation.The Overton WindowPolitical concept discussed in relation to climate disinformation and long-term narrative shifts.Antidote by Karen RussellNovel recommended by Emily Hartford for its imaginative interrogation of manifest destiny and power.The Serviceberry by Robin Wall KimmererRecent book recommendation connecting ecology, reciprocity, and community.Wendell BerryWriter recommended for his grounding reflections on land, ethics, and community.

BIGhART is Australia's leading arts &amp; social change organization.Making art, Building communities, Driving change.30 years in operation, 62 communities engaged, 47 awards won, 550 artists contributed, 9, 500 people participated, 2. 6 million audience members.Can a skateboard ramp in the rainforest spark a global movement for justice, creativity, and environmental protection?In Part Two of our BIGhART Series, we ride along with Scott Rankin and the BIGhART team as they blend skate culture, Indigenous wisdom, and creative process into a powerful force for social change.Listen to Part One HereWhether it’s fighting for the endangered Tarkine rainforest or giving marginalized youth a platform to be seen and heard, BIGhART shows how art, patience, and deep listening can radically transform the world around us. If you’re wondering what change-making really looks like, this story will challenge and inspire you.Explore how skateboarding becomes both an art form and a mental health lifeline for young people at the edge of society.Hear how BIGhART’s long game—projects that unfold over decades—challenges quick-fix activism by centering deep community invitation and legacy-building.Learn why creativity rooted in respect, reciprocity, and humility is essential to confronting cultural wounds, environmental destruction, and systems of injustice.Scott Rankin BIOScott Rankin co-founded Big hART with friend John Bakes in 1992. As CEO and Creative Director, Scott leads the overarching vision for all Big hART projects – from pilot through to legacy. A leader and teacher in the field of social and cultural innovation, Scott provides daily mentorship and knowledge transfer to all Big hART staff so that they can in turn lead our projects with confidence.An award winning writer and director in his own right, Scott’s works have been included many times in major arts festivals. His reputation is built on a quarter of a century of work, creating, funding and directing large-scale projects in diverse communities with high needs, in isolated settings.Big hART is Scott’s passionate contribution to the arts and society.Notable Mentions:BIGhART:Ngapartji Ngapartji: Big hART designed the Ngapartji Ngapartji project to raise awareness of Indigenous language loss, and the lack of an national Indigenous languages policy.Tasmania is an island state of Australia.[15] It is located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by the Bass Strait, with the archipelago containing the southernmost point of the country.Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian[4] ballet dancer and choreographer of Polish ancestry.[5] He is regarded as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century.[3]Albert Namatjira: 28 July 1902 – 8 August 1959) was an Arrernte painter from the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, widely considered one of the most notable Australian artists.Namatjira Project: Namatjira Project began as a collaboration with members of the Namatjira family and the Hermannsburg community in Central Australia in 2009.The long-term project has centered around an award-winning theatre performance, Namatjira, seen by 50,000 people, telling the story of Albert Namatjira, with his family on stage.Skate of Mind is a grassroots, national touring collective of skaters, filmmakers, photographers, and artists. We run community engagement events, workshops, music, art, digital art, projection, and soundscape design in regional communities.SKATE is a groundbreaking new work in development fusing the art of skateboarding with percussion and projection. A breathtaking sensory experience for all the family, SKATE sees a cast of talented male and female skateboarders perform jaw-dropping feats and create infectious rhythms with their skateboards.Element SkateboardsWinnie the Pooh: Winnie-the-Pooh (also known as Edward Bear, Pooh Bear or simply Pooh) is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard.Ngangkari (a traditional aboriginal healer)The Acoustic Life of Sheds: Acoustic Life of Sheds invites leading composers, musicians and artists to celebrate these architectural embodiments of rural, industrial or maritime culture as memory sound- shells by reimagining them for audiences in the landscape or on the foreshore.Project O: Project O is a prevention initiative driving change for young women in rural, regional and high needs communities.Acknowledgements:MusicStudio (Ernabella School Hall) recording of music from the stage show 'Ngapartji Ngapartji'. 1 Ngayunya Wantiriyalku I Shall Be ReleasedPerformed by Makinti Minutjukur, Unurupa Kulyuru, Rhoda Tjitayi, Renita Stanley, Andrew MacGregor, Sara Luither, Beth Sometimes, Steve Fraser. Written by Bob Dylan - Translated by Lorna Wilson, Tom Holder, Dora (Amanyi) Haggie, Rhoda Tjitayi, Unurupa Kulyuru, Beth Sometimes. Recorded by Steve Fraser.Dream-Shifting - by Steven F Allenhttps://freesound.org/people/audiomirage/https://soundclick.com/AuDioChosisStevenFAllenAuDioMiRage*******Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and...

Adios LeniThis isn’t a regular ART IS CHANGE episode. It’s a pause. A moment to mark the passing of Leni Sloan—artist, activist, catalytic troublemaker, and beloved friend.In this special reflection, Bill Cleveland shares stories that trace Leni’s life across stages and communities—from a daring Bicentennial musical about minstrelsy, to decades of cultural work uncovering erased Black histories, to his role as a catalytic force inside institutions that needed shaking awake. This is a portrait not just of what Leni made, but how he moved through the world.You’ll hear about a man who believed history lives in bodies, that culture breathes through people, and that the real work is connection—between past and present, pain and joy, the visible and the forgotten. It’s a meditation on art as lineage, memory, and moral practice, told with humor, tenderness, and deep respect.Listen in as we honor Leni Sloan’s life, legacy, and enduring presence—and let his stories remind us why telling the whole truth, especially the hard parts, is how we stay human.Other Episodes with Leni SloanMultiple early and foundational episodes of this podcast include extended conversations with Leni on art, history, humility, and social change.L. O. Sloan - Adventures of a Gunrunner for the Arts Part 1L. o. Sloan - Adventures of a Gunrunner for the Arts Part 2Building Blocks of Effective Art and Social Change Practice: W/ Leni Sloan, Barbara Shaffer Bacon, and Bill ClevelandNOTABLE MENTIONS PeopleBill Cleveland: Founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community and host of Change the Story / Change the World. Longtime collaborator and close friend of Leni Sloan, offering this remembrance.Leni Sloan (Lenwood O. Sloan): Playwright, director, cultural strategist, and community arts leader whose work bridged history, performance, policy, and community storytelling for more than four decades.Laurie Meadof: Friend and colleague and internationally recognized artist organizer who shared the news of Leni Sloan’s passing with Bill Cleveland.Barbara Schaffer Bacon: National leader in arts-based civic practice and longtime collaborator with Leni Sloan, referenced in connection with recent podcast conversations.Bert Williams: Groundbreaking African American performer whose life and legacy anchor Sloan’s musical play The Wake.Katherine Dunham: Pioneering dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist referenced as part of the lineage of artists Leni now metaphorically joins “on the other stage.”Productions, Works &amp; Cultural ProjectsThe Wake (musical play): Leni Sloan’s U.S. Bicentennial-era musical exploring minstrelsy, race, and American identity through the imagined gathering of Bert Williams and fellow performers.Vu Du Macbeth: The historic 1936 Federal Theatre Project production revived and transformed by Leni Sloan.Organizations &amp; InstitutionsCenter for the Study of Art &amp; Community: Host organization for the podcast and long-term home of conversations about art, democracy, and community change.National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): Federal arts agency where Leni Sloan worked and influenced national cultural policy.California Arts Council: State arts agency connected to Sloan’s public-sector cultural leadership.San Francisco Arts Commission: Municipal arts agency where Sloan contributed to public arts strategy and cultural equity efforts.*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

When I describe BIGhART to folks in the U.S. theyaccuse me of making it up.What if telling a story could rewrite history, heal generational trauma, and reclaim a community’s stolen legacy?In a world where the voices of marginalized communities are often silenced or distorted, this episode explores how the arts—through projects like BIGhART and the Ngapartji Ngapartji and Namatjira initiatives—can become powerful instruments of cultural justice, truth-telling, and transformation. If you’ve ever wondered how creativity can confront systems of power and elevate unheard voices, this story offers living proof.In this episode we:Discover how a small arts organization in Australia sparked a global movement for Indigenous rights, language preservation, and youth empowerment.Learn how performance, storytelling, and community-led creativity dismantled colonial narratives and reclaimed stolen intellectual property.Be inspired by Scott Rankin’s vision of sacred, process-centered artistry that goes beyond performance to become a force for healing, justice, and deep social change.BIOScott co-founded Big hART with friend John Bakes in 1992. As CEO and Creative Director, Scott leads the overarching vision for all Big hART projects – from pilot through to legacy. A leader and teacher in the field of social and cultural innovation, Scott provides daily mentorship and knowledge transfer to all Big hART staff so that they can in turn lead our projects with confidence.An award winning writer and director in his own right, Scott’s works have been included many times in major arts festivals. His reputation is built on a quarter of a century of work, creating, funding and directing large-scale projects in diverse communities with high needs, in isolated settings.Big hART is Scott’s passionate contribution to the arts and society.Notable MentionsBIGhART: Authentic, high-quality art made with communities.Big hART brings virtuosic artists into communities to collaborate and create authentic stories which illuminate local injustice. We present these stories to mainstream audiences to help raise awareness. This builds public support for change and helps to protect vulnerable people.Everyone, everywhere has the right to thrive.Big hART works with communities experiencing high levels of need. Rather than focusing on the problem, our unique non-welfare projects build on community assets, strengthening vulnerable individuals, and creating long term attitudinal shifts. Our hope is for all communities to flourish.Positive, generational change begins as a cultural shift.Big hART designs and delivers transformative projects to address complex social issues. Our cultural approaches are evaluated and acknowledged as best practice. Decision makers seeking better solutions can use our award winning projects to help develop new and better policy. We aim to drive generational change.Ngapartji Ngapartji: Big hART designed the Ngapartji Ngapartji project to raise awareness of Indigenous language loss, and the lack of an national Indigenous languages policy. In order to create visibility around these issues, we launched a language and culture teaching portal, offered audiences the chance to learn Pitjantjatjara through a small teaching show, created short teaching films, as well as music and CDs with a Pitjantjatjara choir. We made a high profile documentary, and finally, a large award winning touring show for national festivals. By creating this range of art products, we attracted exceptional media and gained high level political interest in the issue. This assisted in driving a new Indigenous language policy and increased funding to help prevent language loss.Trevor Jamieson is a veteran of stage and screen with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, and a long time creative partner with BIGhART. He is known as an Actor, Dancer, Musician and Storyteller and his portrait, taken by Brett Canet-Gibson, took out the People’s Choice award for the 2017 National Portrait gallery exhibition in Canberra.Trevor is not only an accomplished actor but is also known for his ability on the guitar and didgeridoo. Trevor has also received acclaim for his dance performances across the globe.Trevor was announced as a Permanent Ambassador for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival in 2017.Some of Trevor’s screen work includes Storm Boy; Thalu: Dreamtime is Now; Boys in the Trees. His stage credits include the Australian tour of The Season; the Sydney Theatre Company’s The Secret River; and the performance of Namatjira at Southbank, London in front of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Frontlines - Citizen artists successfully rebuild the social infrastructure in six communities devastated by war, repression and dislocation. Author William Cleveland tells remarkable stories from Northern Ireland, Cambodia, South Africa, United States (Watts, Los Angeles), aboriginal Australia, and Serbia, about artists who resolve conflict, heal unspeakable trauma, give voice to the forgotten and disappeared, and restitch the cultural fabric of their communities.Pitjantjatjara: The Pitjantjatjara (/ˌpɪtʃəntʃəˈtʃɑːrə/;[1] Pitjantjatjara: [ˈpɪɟanɟaɟaɾa] or [ˈpɪɟanɟaɾa]) are an Aboriginal people of the Central Australian desert near Uluru. They are closely related to the Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra and their languages are, to a large extent, mutually intelligible (all are varieties of the Western Desert language).They refer to themselves as aṉangu (people). The Pitjantjatjara live mostly in the northwest of South Australia, extending across the border into the Northern Territory to just south of Lake Amadeus, and west a short distance into Western Australia. The land is an inseparable and important part of their identity, and every part of it is rich with stories and meaning to aṉangu.[2]They have, for the most part, given up their nomadic hunting and gathering lifestyle but have retained their language and much of their culture in synergy with increasing influences from the broader Australian community.Today there are still about 4,000 aṉangu living scattered in small communities and outstations across their traditional lands, forming one of the most successful joint land arrangements in Australia with Aboriginal traditional owners.Melbourne International Arts Festival: Melbourne International Arts Festival, formerly Spoleto Festival Melbourne – Festival of the Three Worlds, then Melbourne International Festival of the Arts, becoming commonly known as Melbourne Festival, was a major international arts festival held in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Why does sustainability matter in activist art? When funding cycles are short, residencies are brief, and institutions often treat creative work as temporary or expendable, what does it mean to commit to change that lasts?In this episode of Art Is Change, the sixth in our series on the building blocks of effective community arts practice, Bill Cleveland sits down with two legendary cultural leaders — Leni Sloan and Barbara Schaefer Bacon — to explore sustainability not as longevity for its own sake, but as ethical responsibility. From invisible lineages of community practice to the quiet power of relationships that outlast grants, they examine what truly endures when art engages deeply with communities.Drawing on decades of experience as practitioners, funders, and advocates, this conversation&nbsp;challenges conventional ideas of growth, impact, and institutional survival.asks whether sustainability lies in organizations, practices, relationships,&nbsp;or something more elusive — trust, memory, and the transmission of creative values across generations.If you are an artist, cultural organizer, funder, or community partner grappling with how to build work that matters beyond the life of a project, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom, moral clarity, and a powerful reminder: some forms of change are too important to be temporary.NOTABLE MENTIONS PeopleLenwood “Leni” Sloan – Activist artist, cultural organizer, impresario, and long-time leader in community-based arts practice; featured guest on Art Is Change.Barbara Schaffer Bacon – Former Co-Director of Animating Democracy, a national initiative advancing arts-based civic dialogue and democratic practice.Bill Cleveland – Host of Art Is Change and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, with decades of experience in arts-based community development and cultural organizing.Liz Lerman – Choreographer, civic artist, and thought leader whose work has profoundly shaped community-based and socially engaged dance practice.John O’Neal – Playwright, performer, and cultural organizer; co-founder of the Free Southern Theater and founder of Junebug Productions, a cornerstone of African American community-based theater.M. C. Richards – Poet, potter, educator, and author whose writings on creativity, discipline, and teaching have deeply influenced generations of artists.OrganizationsCenter for the Study of Art and Communit– A national resource supporting artists, organizations, and institutions working at the intersection of art, community, and social change.Animating Democracy– A program of Americans for the Arts dedicated to advancing arts-based civic engagement, dialogue, and democratic practice.Americans for the Arts– A leading U.S. nonprofit organization supporting arts advocacy, research, and policy nationwide.Junebug Productions– New Orleans–based theater and cultural organization dedicated to artistic excellence, community engagement, and African American cultural traditions.Sankofa African American Theatre Company – Harrisburg-based community theater rooted in African American history, storytelling, and civic engagement.Events / ConceptsDay With(out) Art– An annual global action initiated by Visual AIDS, aligning with World AIDS Day to highlight the impact of AIDS on artists and communities through exhibitions, programs, and public dialogue.Community Cultural Development– A field of practice placing culture at the center of community life, social justice, and civic engagement; overview provided by the UMass Arts Extension Service, a long-standing authority in the field.Historical / Lineage ReferencesWorks Progress Administration (WPA) Arts Programs – New Deal–era federal programs that employed artists and embedded creative work in public life during the Great Depression; documented by the Library of Congress.AcknowledgementsFrom FreeSound.orgHello User: Bright Cheery Intro Music by jjmarsan -- https://freesound.org/s/476070/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Bosch’s Garden – Mythical Game Music for Fantasy and AI Projects by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/647212/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Project Nine - Time is of the Essence: Minimalist Tune by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/662378/ -- License: Attribution 4.0240625_2767-6_FR_Children_singing by kevp888 -- https://freesound.org/s/745207/ -- License: Attribution&nbsp;4.0custom_lexi_brain_blast_pew_sine_sweep_sound_V2_FINAL_06232025 by Artninja -- https://freesound.org/s/813190/ -- License: Attribution 4.0*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

This episode digs into one of the trickiest—and most revealing—corners of community-based arts work: the way humility and failure shape everything we do, from a 12-line role in Richard II to a city-wide public-art firestorm.Leni Sloan, Barbara Shaffer Bacon and Bill Cleveland tumble into stories that peel back the glossy surface of “successful” arts practice:the actor with decades of experience learning cadence from an 18-year-old, the choreographer who turned military restrictions into creative fuel, the prison poet who left a Broadway star speechless. And threaded through it all is this question: how do we stay porous enough—humble enough—to learn what the work is actually teaching us?Together they talk about the kind of failure that doesn’t end a project but opens it—cracks the thing apart so the next, truer version can breathe. And they remind us that in this art-and-community dance, no one is ever done learning, not even the masters.Listen in as we explore why humility is not soft, and failure is not fatal—they’re simply part of the craft. And stick around: the next episode asks the big follow-up question—what responsibility do we carry for sustaining access to creative resources once communities have experienced their transformative power?To donate to Spoon Jackson's Fund: Use this Venmo account @Cheryl-Cotterill or send a check to:Cheryl CotterillAttorney at Law1770 Post Street #207San Francisco, CA 94115NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleLeni SloanActor, director, community-arts practitioner, and co-conversationalist in this episode, reflecting on humility, failure, and learning within community-engaged art.&nbsp;Barbara Schaffer BaconCo-director of Animating Democracy and long-time leader in arts-based community development; contributes insight into constraints, ethics, and readiness in community practice.&nbsp;Lori WooleryDirector formerly with Cornerstone Theater Company and a leader of community-based productions at The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park.&nbsp;Liz LermanChoreographer, educator, and founder of the Dance Exchange, known for pioneering community-based performance projects including The Shipyard Project.&nbsp;Robert FrostPoet quoted for the line “Freedom is riding easy in the harness,” used here to illuminate creative constraint.&nbsp;M.C. RichardsPotter, writer, and philosopher known for her disciplined practice of smashing imperfect pots—a metaphor for artistic rigor and humility.&nbsp;F. Murray AbrahamAward-winning actor involved in the Broadway production of Waiting for Godot, who visited San Quentin and sought insight from incarcerated actor Spoon Jackson.&nbsp;Spoon JacksonPoet, educator, and long-incarcerated artist whose work in Arts-in-Corrections and performance in Waiting for Godot continues to inspire communities worldwide. Now eligible for review under California’s Racial Justice Act.&nbsp;Events &amp; ProjectsThe Shipyard ProjectA groundbreaking community dance and dialogue project led by Liz Lerman and the Dance Exchange in Portsmouth, NH, exploring the tensions around the naval shipyard’s potential closure.&nbsp;Sacramento “Indo Arch” Public Art Controversy (1980s)A major debate around a celebrated new public artwork whose meaning shifted with geopolitical conflict, sparking weeks of city council deliberation. (General Sacramento public art reference: https://www.sacramento365.com/public-art/)&nbsp;San Quentin Production of Waiting for GodotA culturally significant prison-based performance in which incarcerated actors, including Spoon Jackson, staged Beckett’s play for outside audiences and visiting artists like F. Murray Abraham.&nbsp;Creative Community Leadership Institute (CCLI)&nbsp;(archival)A long-running community-arts training program in Minnesota whose curriculum underwent major revision after direct feedback from BIPOC participants.&nbsp;OrganizationsCornerstone Theater CompanyA nationally recognized organization creating theater with and for communities across the U.S.&nbsp;The Public TheaterNew York City’s home for Shakespeare in the Park and large-scale community productions involving hundreds of local participants.&nbsp;Dance ExchangeAn interdisciplinary performance company exploring the intersection of art, community dialogue, and participatory practice.&nbsp;California Arts-in-Corrections ProgramA statewide partnership providing arts education inside prisons, central to the development and visibility of artists like Spoon Jackson.&nbsp;California Racial Justice ActLegislation allowing incarcerated individuals to seek relief when racial bias may have influenced their conviction or sentencing.&nbsp;Publications / TextsWaiting for Godot&nbsp;by Samuel BeckettThe canonical absurdist play discussed in relation to San Quentin’s historic production.&nbsp;*****Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

Budgets frozen. Institutions wobbling. Political earthquakes everywhere. In the middle of all that, many artists and cultural workers are stepping straight into the messy moral world of community change.This episode is the fourth in our special series where we're unpacking the building blocks of effective art and social change practice, This episode we explore:&nbsp;What happens when “good intentions” aren’t enough?What do we owe the communities we hope to serve?And how does an artist even begin to understand the ethical weight of their presence in places carrying trauma, tension, or long histories of power imbalance?Notable MentionsPeopleBill Cleveland – Host of Art Is Change and Director of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community.Leni Sloan – Activist, performer, impresario, and cultural historian.Barbara Schaffer Bacon – Educator, author, and longtime arts-and-democracy leader.Confucius – Philosopher quoted on the cultural health of society.Carol Bebelle – Co-founder of Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans.Roberta Uno – Director and cultural organizer referenced via Project 2050.Judy Munson – Composer for the series' theme and soundscapes.Andre Neppe – Text editor for the series.OrganizationsCenter for the Study of Art &amp; Community – Producer of Art Is Change.National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – Federal arts funder.Mid Atlantic Arts – Regional arts funder.Kennedy Center – National cultural institution.Junebug Productions – Community-rooted arts organization.Ashé Cultural Arts Center – Cultural organization founded by Carol Bebelle.UMass Project 2050 – Intergenerational arts and social justice project.Freesound.org – Open-source audio effects platform.EventsPennsylvania Arts Residency Shutdowns – State-level budget freeze causing all residencies to wind down.California Gerrymandering Ballot Vote – Referenced political event affecting democratic institutions.White House East Wing Renovation – Described as symbolic cultural destabilization.Northern Ireland Peace-Sector Encounters – Experiences working in sectarian communities.Prison Songwriting Class – A pivotal ethical moment demonstrating the power of creative work.Publications / TextsConfucian Canon – Referenced philosophically regarding art and society.*******Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

Robert Farid KarimiThe "inbetween" is often ignored. It is also the juicy territory that this week’s guest, comedian, chef, poet, educator, and activist Robert Farid Karimi has been investigating over the last couple of decades. like many of our guests Robert, who is also known as Mero Cocinero, Farid Mercury, the Peoples Chef, and even in some quarters, Betty Crocker's radical heir apparent, is not easily pegged. In the conversation that follows we explore some of the stories, ideas, and questions that animate his work. How can humor become a bridge in a conflict-ridden community? What is the role of the fool and gossip in the post truth era? What can community organizers learn from Mel Brooks and Cheech and Chong. Along the way we hear great stories and have a little fun.Delicious QuotesI feel for people who feel that they themselves are bridges because this, it's not easy work to hold, two sides of earth so that others can cross. A lot of times people they're not appreciating everything it took to keep everybody up.…we say in Spanish, "chesme", gossip. And talking about how immigrants, how we transmit the information, especially when you come from cultures, where the official news is being controlled like Iran and Guatemala, like gossip is powerful. Chesme is powerful. So, I became this bridge by valuing the words of others as truth,Humor to me was never about insulting or bringing others down. Humor for me was always, "How can you lift up the room? We've had a bad day. Why you gotta be a downer?" And I think growing up, that's why I valued it so much. That's why it became part of my toolkit.They brought me in to General Mills, …and had me cooking where the Betty Crocker kitchen ladies cook. They stayed. The women who had worked all day stayed because they wanted to have a good time and laugh. My mother still says that's my best gig I've ever had cause I'm at the home of freaking Betty Crocker.I changed Acting One so that it would incorporate play. I want them to start seeing their bodies as this thing, that's taking it all in and that they are not just actors. They are not just performers they are in the in-between. They are storytellers. And to make these stories, they need to understand their relationship to the system of life. And the final of the classes, they get to make fun of the class. They get to use all the skills to make fun of anything I've done, because the rationale is for me, humor is a great way to show that because you got to know what you know, to make fun of it.I couldn't just walk into a community and go, “I'm going to save you all because I'm a person of color. Who's funny.” No. I had to go back to the kid that was listening, ...to the folks in the community. ..Then I could see how I could be of service.Notable MentionsMero Cocinero, Farid Mercury, the Peoples Chef: Just three of Mr. Karimi's many alter egos.Change the Story / Change the World: This podcast, a Chronicle of Art &amp; Community TransformationAfrika Bambaataa: Lance Taylor (born in April 17, 1957), also known as Afrika Bambaataa (/ˌæfrɪkə bæmˈbɑːtə/),[2][3] is an American DJ, rapper, and producer from the South Bronx, New York.[4][3] He is notable for releasing a series of genre-defining electro tracks in the 1980s that influenced the development of hip hop culture.[5] Afrika Bambaataa is one of the originators of breakbeat DJing.[1Out North :Out North advances contemporary art in Anchorage supports underrepresented voices, and promotes cultural dialogue.House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday[WC1]&nbsp;.&nbsp;[WC1]House Made of Dawn&nbsp;is a 1968 novel by&nbsp;N. Scott Momaday, widely credited as leading the way for the breakthrough of&nbsp;Native American literature&nbsp;into the mainstream. It was awarded the&nbsp;Pulitzer Prize for Fiction&nbsp;in 1969, and has also been noted for its significance in Native American anthropology.[2]Galleria de la Raza: Founded in 1970, Galería de la Raza | Studio 24 is a non-profit dedicated to promoting Xicanx/Latinx art and culture. Our "creative place keeping" ethos is rooted in social inclusion and justice, where community arts are central to navigating the complex intersection of urban development, social inequality, affordable housing, and the historical-cultural legacies of communities of color.Cornerstone.Theater: Cornerstone Theater Company collaborates with communities. Our work reflects complexity, disrupts assumptions, welcomes difference, and amplifies joy.&nbsp;We aim to advance a more compassionate, equitable, and just world."rasquache.": Rasquache is a term of Mesoamerican Nahuatl origin which initially had a negative connotation in Mexico as being an attitude that was lower class, impoverished and&nbsp;having&nbsp;bad&nbsp;taste.&nbsp;This&nbsp;definition&nbsp;was&nbsp;later&nbsp;redefined&nbsp;by&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;and&nbsp;Chicano&nbsp;art&nbsp;movement,&nbsp;Rasquachismo,&nbsp;transforming social and economic instabilities into a style and a positive creative attitude. Creative Capital:Creative Capital is a nonprofit organization that has awarded more than $50 million to artists for the creation of groundbreaking new work in the visual arts, performing arts, literature, film, technology, and multidisciplinary practices, including socially-engaged work in all forms. We also provide professional development programs, networking opportunities, and educational resources for arts communities around the world.Diabetes of Democracy: Awarded the 2011 Arts and Humanities Seed Grant funded jointly by the&nbsp;Institute for Humanities Research&nbsp;&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Herberger Institute Research Center in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Diabetes for Democracy in South Phoenix examines the efficacy of the arts—specifically theatrical performance—in changing the dietary attitudes and behaviors of young people at higher risk for chronic diseases like diabetes. Suzanne Lacy: Suzanne Lacy is renowned as a pioneer in socially engaged and public performance art. Her installations, videos, and performances deal with sexual violence, rural and urban poverty, incarceration, labor and aging. Lacy’s large-scale projects span the globe, including England, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Ireland and the U.S.&nbsp;Comic Relief<a...

What if the scariest threat we face isn’t some monster outside—but the quiet, invisible loss of our own power to act?In a world wired to exploit our fear, reclaiming our agency has never been more urgent—or more human. This episode dives deep into how fear hijacks our brains, and how imagination and creativity can reconnect us to each other and to our own capacity for action. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this is the grounding message you need.Discover why making things—from pots to poems—can literally rewire your brain and restore hope.Learn how shared creativity offers an ancient antidote to the MAGA Fear Machine.Hear why artists and makers are uniquely positioned to help shift us from panic to possibility.Join us as we explore how reclaiming your creative spark can tip the balance from fear to agency—one act of making at a time.Notable Mentions&nbsp;Events / Concepts Fight–Flight–Freeze Response&nbsp;– The brain’s survival-based reaction to fear, narrowing our thinking and heightening stress responses.The Deep State&nbsp;– Used here as a metaphor for politically charged fear narratives in American culture.Zombie Apocalypse&nbsp;– A metaphor representing panic-driven narratives that fuel division and fear.Neuroplasticity&nbsp;– The brain’s ability to rewire itself in response to experiences like storytelling and making art.2. Organizations·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community&nbsp;– Producer of Art is Change, the center supports artists and cultural workers in community transformation.Art is Change (Podcast)&nbsp;– A series focused on how arts and imagination intersect with democracy, agency, and resistance.Freesound.org&nbsp;– A collaborative sound library providing many of the podcast’s creative sound effects.3. Publications / Knowledge Resources·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Neuroscience of Creativity &amp; Agency&nbsp;– Explains how artistic practice stimulates brain function and fosters resilience.The Amygdala&nbsp;– The brain’s emotional alarm center, highlighted as central to how fear takes hold in the episode.The Prefrontal Cortex&nbsp;– The reasoning part of the brain that gets suppressed under fear-based conditions.Evolutionary Cooperation &amp; Collective Creativity&nbsp;– Scientific support for the idea that group creativity and collaboration are essential to human survival.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What if the solution to our democracy’s crisis isn’t another white paper or study—but an artist running for office?In this episode, civic organizer and “public defender” Tom Tresser reveals why he feels America’s nonprofit and creative sectors are missing in action when it comes to power, policy, and public trust. As arts funding shrinks and disinformation grows, Tom challenges creatives to stop “staying in their lane” and instead step up as leaders in civic life.In it we’ll: • Learn how a small, unfunded coalition stopped the 2016 Olympics from coming to Chicago—and why that matters for creative change agents everwhere • We’ll also Discover why Tom thinks creative people are uniquely qualified to solve society’s most funky problems—and how&nbsp;artistic skills and political strategies are cut from the same clothAnd&nbsp;inspired by a radical, hopeful model for building civic power from the ground up, rooted in creative intelligence, story making, and community action.Notable MentionsThe 100K Project: Tom Tresser's initiative that seeks to train, and propel 100,000 people from the arts, nonprofit, social services, education, and science sectors (and their supporters) to run for local office or help those with our values run as champions of service, science, justice, equity, peace, creativity, and the public sector.PeopleBill Cleveland: Host of Art Is Change and long-time practitioner in arts-based community development and civic storytelling.Tom Tresser: Chicago civic organizer, public defender of the public sector, and co-founder of No Games Chicago.Richard M. Daley: Former Chicago mayor behind the 2016 Olympic bid effort.Barack Obama: Then–senator and later president who supported Chicago’s Olympic bid.Sam Zell: Billionaire and owner of the Chicago Tribune, a supporter of the Olympic bid.Senator Jesse Helms: Conservative senator known for attacks on the NEA.Pat Robertson: Christian Coalition founder and major force in culture-war politics.Andres Serrano: Artist whose work Piss Christ became central to NEA controversies.The NEA Four: Performance artists whose denied NEA grants fueled national censorship debate.Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist and civic educator cited as a model for grassroots truth-telling.Paul Wellstone: U.S. senator whose “organize–advocate–run” triangle influences Tresser’s civic theory.Oprah Winfrey: Chicago cultural icon who supported the 2016 Olympic bid.Barbara Steveni: British artist and co-founder of the pioneering Artist Placement Group.Judy Munson: Composer of the Art Is Change theme and soundscape.Andre Nebe: Text editor for this episode.EventsChicago 2016 Olympic Bid: Major civic initiative defeated by grassroots organizing.IOC Host City Vote – Copenhagen 2009: IOC meeting where Chicago was eliminated in the first round.NEA Culture Wars: National battle over arts funding, censorship, and cultural values.Performing Arts Communities Campaign to Save the NEA (1991): Chicago-based advocacy mobilizing artists and audiences.The 100K Project: National initiative to train 100,000 creative people to run for local office.Opening of the Civic Lab (2013): Launch of a civic makerspace for democratic literacy and organizing.OrganizationsCenter for the Study of Art &amp; Community: Producer of Art Is Change and national leader in arts-based civic engagement.Art Is Change Podcast: The podcast exploring arts, culture, and democracy.League of Chicago Theatres: Chicago’s principal theater service organization.National Endowment for the Arts: Federal arts funder often at the center of political battles.Christian Coalition: Conservative political organization active in culture-war campaigns.Focus on the Family: Christian advocacy group active in the arts-funding debates.No Games Chicago: Volunteer coalition that stopped Chicago’s Olympic bid.International Olympic Committee: Governing body of the Olympic Games.The Civic Lab: Civic makerspace founded by Tom Tresser.National Guild for Community Arts Education: Partner for civic leadership training for creatives.PBS: Public broadcasting network referenced in arts-funding discussions.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: U.S. national arts institution.Harvard Project Zero: Research center whose “studio thinking” informs the leadership model.Americans for the Arts: National arts advocacy organization.Freesound.org: Community sound library used for audio effects.PublicationsNo Games Chicago (Routledge): Tresser’s book on defeating the Olympic bid.Oxford Economics Research on Olympic Mega-Projects: Analysis of the economic and civic impacts of hosting the Olympics.Christian Coalition Fundraising Letters (Archive): Historic mailers used in culture-war fundraising.Artist Placement Group Documentation (Tate): Archival record of the groundbreaking UK socially engaged art model.

What happens when a tiny city-state with tight state control becomes a hub for community-driven, arts-based transformation? Meet ArtsWok, a Singapore-based organization helping people talk about the hardest things—grief, inequality, identity, and even death—with art as the medium and hope as the missionIn a place known more for order than outspokenness, how do artists create room for deep conversation and community healing? In this episode, ArtsWok co-founder Su-Lin Ngiam takes us inside the intricate work of bridging Singapore’s diverse communities—whether that’s confronting mortality in a high-rise courtyard or staging inclusive youth theater across cultural divides. Her work invites us to reimagine activism not as confrontation, but as creative facilitation rooted in care.Listen in to hear:How ArtsWok uses everything from inflatable theaters to site-specific installations to hold space for taboo topics in the heart of tightly regulated Singapore.Why conversations about death—like in their Both Sides Now project—are actually powerful doorways to deeper, more connected lives.What it means to be an “intermediary” in art, navigating across sectors, beliefs, and disciplines to build trust, spark dialogue, and catalyze changeTune in now to hear how Su-Lin and ArtsWok are turning art into a tool for civic dialogue, human connection, and societal renewal—one courageous conversation at a time.Delicious QuotesWhat does the ArtsWok Collaborative do?I like to say that we're agents of hope. That we're really here to inject hope in society, or at least we try to, and it's about the bridging difference be it between people or ideas or uncomfortable topics.How do your very public arts practices advance your issue-based community work?…we want it to be out there where people can see, they can hear --- really bringing a taboo issue out into the open, making what's invisible, visible, unheard, heard. And the arts are great for doing that and creating spaces that can do that What is Go-Li?It's (Drama Box’s) inflatable theater … we have used that structure in our projects as well, … It's tour-able, so you can bring it to different communities, and you pop up and cause you're not allowed to be there permanently, then you deflate the structure, and you move on. And it becomes some kind of an icon as well.People recognize it, and “Oh, okay, these guys are here. The artists are here.” And it's about creating safe space as well because it's open, but it's covered, but yet you can walk in and out so you can have conversations about difficult things or people can be vulnerable.What is Both Sides Now?...we have presented this project for seven years.&nbsp;…essentially, we're out there engaging community saying, "Have you thought about death?" …it's an important part of living to think about that. In fact, it's very much two sides of the same coin. …how we live our lives will determine how we end. So, it's really all quite related, but of course, it can be quite taboo, and it's a painful topic. Loss, in general, is hard to talk about, but I think that's something we really need to talk about more as societies.&nbsp;What role does negotiation play in the cultural life of Singapore?We are artists. We are here to question and provoke. And having said that, we have things like censorship in Singapore in terms of, so, all our scripts, plays, have to be submitted for a license. … there is a process of negotiation that, as artists, we then undergo with the state or with authorities, and it's that process of dialogue. And whether or not we choose to, to then, adapt our place or our work or choose another creative way to talk about it or present it. That's up to the artists, But I think what is meaningful is that process of negotiation and how we negotiate, and that impacts the way we practice, and it makes us more creative in a way. Then it is about finding the vocabularies and being patient. That change takes time.

DAH SAYS: "In today’s world, we can oppose destruction and violence with the creation of meaning "The Economist Magazine's Intelligence Unit places, Serbia, and Singapore, among the 46 countries that are considered Flawed Democracies along with United States of America.&nbsp;As our three countries grow more alike in surprising ways, it felt like the right moment to revisit two powerful episodes featuring activist artists from Serbia and Singapore. First up is our 2022 Change the Story Change the World with conversation with Dijana Milosevic, the Director of Belgrade’s Dah Teatar. &nbsp;Imagine mounting a guerrilla theater performance in a bombed-out city square, in the middle of war, while armed soldiers look on—and still holding on to your art, your convictions, and your humanity. That is the story of Dah Teatar, a theater collective from Belgrade that has survived war, sanctions, shifting regimes, and censorship—and kept creating powerful, justice-driven work.In this episode of ART IS CHANGE, we dive back into the history and present of Dah Teatar through a rich conversation with co‑founder Dijana Milošević. We revisit their 1992 This Babylonian Confusion street performance, and then catch up on how the company has restructured, relocated, responded to climate concerns, and carried forward their practice of “being with” communities. Along the way, Dijana shares stories of bus‑based public theater, performances among trees, and how art continues to navigate complexity, contradiction, and resistance in Serbia today.You’ll hear:How Dah anchored themselves in relationship and material constraints during the war years, moving from classic theater into street performance in real time.The evolution of the company from ensemble-based actors to a more horizontal, administrative structure that can sustain creative risk.Their project Invisible City, performed inside buses, bringing stories rooted in neighborhood life to ordinary passengers—not just theatergoers.Their more recent project Dancing Trees, where trees become collaborators, audiences move into the forest, and performance becomes site, sound, memory, and activism.Reflections on censorship, environmental struggle, national narratives, cross‑community healing, and the role of artists in turbulent times.Tune in to follow Dah’s journey across decades of upheaval and resilience—and be inspired by how a theater company, rooted in place and poetic defiance, continues to bridge divides between people and environment.Change the Story CollectionBe sure to check out our CHANGE THE STORY COLLECTION OF ARCHIVED EPISODES on: Justice Arts, Art &amp; Healing, Cultural Organizing, Arts Ed./Children &amp; Youth, Community Arts Training, Music for Change, Theater for Change, Change Making Media. BIODijana Milošević is an award-winning theater director, writer and lecturer. She co-founded the DAH Theater Research Center in Belgrade, and has been its lead director for over 25 years.Dijana has served as the artistic director of theater festivals, the president of the Association of Independent Theaters, the president of the board of BITEF Theater, and a member of the board of directors of the national International Theater Institute (ITI). She has been involved with several peacebuilding initiatives and collaborates with feminist-activist groups.DAH Theater has performed nationally and internationally under Dijana’s directing. She has also directed plays by other theater companies around the world.She is a well-known lecturer, who has taught at world-famous universities. She writes articles and essays about theater as well as society. She has won prestigious scholarships such as Fulbright and Arts Link. She is a professor at the Institute for Artistic Play in Belgrade.Notable MentionsDah Teatar Research Center for Culture and Social Change: DAH Theatre is an independent, professional, contemporary theatre troupe and artistic collective that uses modern theatre techniques to create engaging art and initiate positive social change, both locally and globally. &nbsp;Mission: In today’s world, we can oppose destruction and violence with the creation of meaning.” Through dedicated teamwork, we create bold dramatic art to provoke, inspire, and incite personal and social transformation.Art and Upheaval - Artists on the World’s Frontlines: Author William Cleveland shares remarkable stories from Northern Ireland, Cambodia, South Africa, United States (Watts, Los Angeles), aboriginal Australia, and Serbia, about artists who resolve conflict, heal unspeakable trauma, give voice to the forgotten and disappeared, and restitch the cultural fabric of their communities.This Babylonian Confusion: The Dah Teatar project “This Babylonian Confusion” is a result of a montage of the actors’ materials and the songs of Bertold Brecht. This performance was created from the need of the artists to place themselves in their duty- as artists in “dark times.” Four actors using the characters of Angels say their share against war, nationalism and destruction. [1992]Slobodan Milošivić: was a&nbsp;Yugoslav&nbsp;and&nbsp;Serbian&nbsp;politician who served as the&nbsp;president&nbsp;of&nbsp;Serbia&nbsp;within&nbsp;Yugoslavia&nbsp;from 1989 to 1997. Formerly a high-ranking member of the&nbsp;League of Communists of Serbia&nbsp;(SKS) during the 1980s, he led the&nbsp;Socialist Party of Serbia&nbsp;from its foundation in 1990 until 2003. After Milošević's death, the ICTY and the&nbsp;International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals&nbsp;found that he was a part of a&nbsp;joint criminal enterprise&nbsp;which used violence to remove Croats, Bosniaks, and Albanians from large parts of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.&nbsp;Bertolt Brecht: was one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. His works include&nbsp;The Threepenny Opera&nbsp;(1928) with composer Kurt Weill,&nbsp;Mother Courage and Her Children&nbsp;(1941),&nbsp;The Good Person of Szechwan&nbsp;(1943), and&nbsp;The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui&nbsp;(1958). A member of the Independent Social Democratic Party, Brecht wrote theater criticism for a Socialist newspaper from 1919 to 1921. His plays were banned in Germany in the 1930s, and in 1933, he went into exile, first in Denmark and then Finland. He moved to Santa Monica, California, in 1941, hoping to write for Hollywood, but he drew the attention of the House Un-American Activities Committee.&nbsp;The Story of Tea: The central theme of the performance is the train that will finally take three sisters to the place of their dreams- Moscow, or missed opportunities and&nbsp;gambled chances, inspired and provoked by the other important themes of DAH Theater’s ‘three sisters.’&nbsp;Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov&nbsp;is a play by the Russian author and playwright&nbsp;Anton Chekhov. It was&nbsp;written in 1900&nbsp;and first performed in 1901 at the&nbsp;<a...

When everything feels like it’s unraveling, how do we know art still matters? In this episode, we explore the question: What use is art in a world on fire?Across movements, across generations—from Ella Baker’s quiet revolution to Beckett’s unexpected presence in a prison theater—this episode offers three simple, potent reminders of how art works in times of chaos: to notice, to connect, and to rebuild trust. Whether you’re an artist, organizer, or simply someone searching for clarity, you’ll find resonance in these stories.Discover how art helps us pay attention—to our world, our neighbors, and ourselves.Understand the power of creative trust—what happens when making becomes a shared act of listening.Explore how storytelling and performance can bridge divides, even behind bars or across ideologies.Press play to be reminded that in uncertain times, art doesn’t just survive—it leads. Listen now and carry these three truths forward into your community.Notable Mentions:PeopleBill Cleveland: Host of Art Is Change and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community. (Learn more)Ella Baker: Civil rights activist whose words inspired Ella’s Song. (Learn more)Bernice Johnson Reagon: Composer of Ella’s Song and founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock. (Learn more)Judy Munson: Composer and sound designer for the podcast. (Learn more)Donald Trump: Referenced in the context of political polarization. (Learn more)Samuel Beckett: Playwright of Waiting for Godot; supported San Quentin production. (Learn more)Jan Jönson: Swedish director who brought Beckett’s play to San Quentin. (Learn more)Jim Carlson: Prison arts advocate involved in the San Quentin project. (Learn more)Barney Rosset: Beckett’s U.S. publisher. (Learn more)Donald James: Actor who played Vladimir in the San Quentin production. (Learn more)Reginald Wilson: Actor who played Estragon in the San Quentin production. (Learn more)Brian Boyd: Author of On the Origin of Stories. (Learn more)Voltaire: Philosopher often linked with the quote popularized by Spider-Man. (Learn more)Events &amp; ProjectsWaiting for Godot at San Quentin: 1988 prison arts project with lifers performing Beckett’s play. (Learn more)Federal Theatre Project: New Deal arts program (1935–1939) employing 15,000 artists. (Learn more)A Bright and Dangerous Spark: Ongoing inquiry into art, imagination, and story. (Learn more)OrganizationsCenter for the Study of Art and Community: Research and training org focused on arts-based community development. (Learn more)Art Is Change Podcast: Podcast chronicling activist artists and community change. (Learn more)Sweet Honey in the Rock: A cappella group known for justice-centered performances. (Learn more)Freesound.org: Free collaborative database of sound effects. (Learn more)Virginia Tech Theater for Social Change: Theater degree program hosting Bill’s talk. (Learn more)San Quentin Arts Program: Historic prison-based arts education program. (Learn more)Publications &amp; MediaElla’s Song: Anthem written by Bernice Johnson Reagon inspired by Ella Baker. (Learn more)On the Origin of Stories: Brian Boyd’s work on storytelling and evolution. (Learn more)Waiting for Godot: Beckett’s classic existential play. (Learn more)Spider-Man (Uncle Ben Quote): Comic/movie franchise popularizing 'with great power comes great responsibility.' (Learn more)League of Creative Champions: Metaphor for five key 'superpowers' artists bring to social change. (Learn more)AcknowledgementsFX From FreeSound.orgGastly sounds by menvafaan -- https://freesound.org/s/169665/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0Music for a Podcast or Animation, or...? by Dave_Girtsman -- https://freesound.org/s/676422/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Thinking of Driving: Gentle Piano Music for Emotional Scenes by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/532774/ -- License: Attribution 4.0linewin6.wav by awrecording.it -- https://freesound.org/s/547658/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Simple Waiting BeepBox Loop by qubodup -- https://freesound.org/s/737525/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Cash Register by kiddpark -- https://freesound.org/s/201159/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Bosch’s Garden – Mythical Game Music for Fantasy and AI Projects by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/647212/ -- License: Attribution 4.0campfire medium nearby slight forest slap echo +distant people laughing.flac by kyles -- https://freesound.org/s/453783/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Musical - Native American Day of the Dead Celebtration with Pipes, Whip Cracks, Drums.wav by jaegrover -- https://freesound.org/s/262876/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Whoosh_Electric_01.wav by LittleRobotSoundFactory -- https://freesound.org/s/274210/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Bosch’s Garden – Mythical Game Music for Fantasy and AI Projects by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/647212/ -- License: Attribution 4.0April Showers: Sweet Lo-Fi Piano Vibes by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/608392/ -- License: Attribution 4.0*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in...

Can a Quilt Change how Congress Listens—&amp; How you Practice Democracy at Home?If you’re exhausted by performative politics and digital outrage, this episode offers a deeply grounded alternative. Discover how everyday acts of creation and conversation can rebuild civic trust—and how women across America are using quilting to stitch together a more ethical and inclusive democracy, one square at a time.Learn how to transform local conflict into creative fuel for durable, democratic collaboration.Hear the inspiring story of how one woman’s quiet act of stitching sparked a national movement of peaceful persuasion.Get practical insights on reclaiming civic power in your community—without burning out or tuning out.Listen now to discover how storytelling, solitude, and stitching can help reweave the civic fabric—starting exactly where you are.Notable MentionsHere is a categorized, hyperlinked list of all people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the transcript.🧑‍🤝‍🧑 PeopleBill Cleveland ; Host of Art Is Change, founder of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, and lifelong activist/artist in cultural organizing.Emma Petty Adams: Co-Executive Director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government; leads cross-partisan, grassroots advocacy focused on ethical government and peacebuilding.Jessica Preece: Political science professor and MWEG member who initiated the “Quilting for the Constitution” project from Provo, Utah.Mr. Dwyer: U.S. History teacher at Hayward High School who inspired Emma’s early civic development.Harry C. Boyte: Democracy scholar and founder of Public Work, a strong advocate of citizenship as a democratic practice.Chad Ford: Author of 7 Times 70, a book exploring conflict transformation through a spiritual lens.Max Richter: Renowned composer whose album Voices is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Eleanor Roosevelt: Chaired the drafting committee of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights following WWII.Rep. Kathy Manning (note: possibly misidentified as “Fauci” in transcript) Democratic U.S. Representative from North Carolina who displayed a quilt in her office.Rep. Blake Moore: Republican U.S. Representative from Utah who used a quilt from the campaign in his office.📅 EventsQuilting for the Constitution: A national arts-advocacy campaign led by MWEG members and allies; 62 quilts with civic messages delivered to 56 congressional offices in D.C. in May 2023.Freedom Quilting Bee: A 1960s Black-led cooperative in Alabama that used quilting to support civil rights and community economic development.OrganizationsMormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG): A nonpartisan organization of women (mostly but not exclusively LDS) working for ethical, peaceful, and principled governance across the U.S.Center for the Study of Art and Community: Founded by Bill Cleveland, supports the work of artists and cultural organizers in advancing democratic and creative community change.Fox 13 News Utah: Regional news outlet that covered the D.C. quilt delivery in a televised segment.United Nations: Drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the inspiration behind Max Richter’s musical work.Home Depot: Surprisingly helpful co-sponsor: one organizer built a mobile quilt clothesline display with materials purchased locally during the campaign.📚 PublicationsUniversal Declaration of Human Rights (1948): Foundational U.N. document outlining global standards for human dignity and freedom; source text for Voices.American Covenant by Yuval Levin: A book about the Constitution as not just a governing framework but a civic operating manual for American renewal.7 Times 70 by Chad Ford: Explores the teachings of Jesus as a model for deep, lasting conflict transformation.Voices by Max Richter (album): A musical composition that blends minimalist orchestration with recordings of people reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Kindertotenlieder by Gustav Mahler: “Songs on the Death of Children”—a deeply emotional orchestral song cycle that Emma Petty Adams referenced as a vehicle for understanding grief.*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What Threats are There to Activist Artists and Cultural Organizers &amp; What Can You Do About Them? Today on our weather report, we're wading into stormy waters, namely threats to activist artists and arts organizations coming not from creeps and trolls on the Internet, but from our own government.So this week we're focusing on what's happening to creative change agents out there and on what might be coming.Yep, we're talking about funding being yanked, but also loyalty style clauses slipped into grants and organizations being told to sit down and shut up or else. Over the next 20 minutes or so, we'll take a quick walk throughWhat's already taking place,What might be comingAnd what we can do about it.We'll also share how some organizations and programs are stepping up to defend the field.AcknowledgementsFrom FreeSound.orgWINDDsgn_Hurricane wind in the forest area.Designed_EM.mp3 by newlocknew -- https://freesound.org/s/680138/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Thunder Claps, Single Clap 01 by PNMCarrieRailfan -- https://freesound.org/s/682351/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Darkest Thursday – A Haunting Electronic Masterpiece by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/558271/ -- License: Attribution 4.078 PULSE: A Dark and Ominous Soundscape for Mysteries and Suspense by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/541944/ -- License: Attribution 4.0improvised non-chill 2 by waveplaySFX -- https://freesound.org/s/238525/ -- License: Attribution 4.0improvised non-chill 2 by waveplaySFX -- https://freesound.org/s/238525/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Loud knock on door.WAV by simonk24 -- https://freesound.org/s/666218/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Fog Horn.wav by CGEffex -- https://freesound.org/s/94678/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Bosch’s Garden – Mythical Game Music for Fantasy and AI Projects by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/647212/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Gonna be gone by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/640853/ -- License: AttributionLinks referenced in this episode:centerforstudyofartandcommunity.orgnationalendowmentforthearts.govrhodeislandlatinoarts.orgnationalqueertheater.orgnewmexicoarts.orggeorgesoros.comreidhofmann.orgfordfoundation.orgmacfound.orgschmidtfamilyfoundation.orgamericansforthearts.orgartsactionfund.orgamericanallianceofmuseums.orginternationalcenterfornonprofitlaw.orgcouncilofnonprofits.orggoodwinlaw.comallianceforjustice.orgtenenbaumlegal.com*****Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What if your art could both heal your community &amp; pay your bills?&nbsp; If you’re a musician or creative itching to drive real-world change without sacrificing your livelihood, this episode maps a path: how Music to Life evolved from a songwriting contest into a rigorous accelerator that helps artists design, fund, and measure community projects—so you can make change while making a living.&nbsp; Learn how Music To Life helps musicians turn a community cause into a sustainable enterpriseSee real models you can adapt: Vanessa Lively’s Home Street Music built 500+ song circles, 230 sessions, &amp; raised ~$200K serving unhoused neighbors in Austin.Learn about proven impact from Benny Esguerra’s mobile studio that measured violence reduction &nbsp;to poet-healer Myles Bullen co-facilitating prison education to process tough emotions and build trust.Tune in to hear strategies &amp; stories that helped artists step off the stage and into community change—without abandoning the craft that got them there.&nbsp; Notable MentionsPeopleLiz Sunde – Co-founder and Executive Director of Music to Life, an organization empowering socially conscious musicians to become change agents in their communities .Bill Cleveland – Host of Art Is Change and Director of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community, long-time advocate for artists as community leaders .Paul Stookey – Renowned singer-songwriter, member of the legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, and co-founder of Music to Life .Vanessa Lively – Austin-based singer-songwriter and founder of Home Street Music, a program using music circles to support people experiencing homelessness .Dick Crispo – Artist who co-created the longest indoor mural in the world at Soledad Prison, known for his community arts practice .Beny Esguerra – Toronto-based musician and educator, founder of the Mobile Studio Project using music to reduce gang violence through recording sessions .Myles Bullen – Indigenous poet/ rap artist from Maine, who collaborated with University of Maine Augusta faculty on prison-based education blending poetry and Holocaust studies .Barbara Schaffer Bacon – Arts leader and consultant, co-director of Animating Democracy at Americans for the Arts, key in helping Music to Life secure Mellon Foundation support .John Lewis – Late U.S. Congressman and civil rights icon, famous for urging people to make “good trouble” in the fight for justice .EventsKerrville Folk Festival – Long-running Texas festival where Music to Life hosted a 10-year social justice songwriting contest, spotlighting emerging activist musicians .Ventura Music &amp; Change Festival – A Music to Life program in California that brought artists together for masterclasses, performances, and program development .Music to Life Academy (Change-Maker Accelerator) – Six-month training and coaching program for musicians to build community-based social change initiatives .OrganizationsMusic to Life – National nonprofit co-founded by Paul Stookey and Liz Sunde, supporting musicians as social change leaders .Music to Life's Academy artists Spotify playlist : A compilation of MCA Academy Artists Music.Wheel it Studios - WHEEL IT STUDIOS is Beny Esguerra's 16-week hands-on mobile recording studio engaging musicians from Toronto's Jane and Finch community advancing music making &amp; transcending cross-neighborhood tensions. Community First! Village – Innovative housing development for people emerging from chronic homelessness, partner site for Home Street Music .Bloomberg Media – Partnered with Music to Life on multimedia music-for-change projects .Recording Academy (Grammys) – Engaged in conversations with Music to Life about supporting socially conscious music initiatives .University of Maine Augusta – Partner institution for prison-based education projects integrating poetry and Holocaust studies .Soledad Prison (Correctional Training Facility) – California prison known for hosting the world’s longest indoor mural .Americans for the Arts / Animating Democracy – National service organization supporting arts-based civic engagement .Mellon Foundation – Provided critical funding to Music to Life through arts and democracy initiatives .PublicationsBraiding Sweetgrass – Book by Robin Wall Kimmerer blending indigenous wisdom, botany, and ecological philosophy .Seabiscuit: An American Legend – Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling biography of the Depression-era racehorse and its unlikely champions .*****Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What if the solution to the climate crisis and the key to democratic renewal were powered by the same thing?In this episode of Art is Change, we'll explore Bill McKiibben new book, Here Comes the Sun, and draw a powerful parallel between the emerging solar energy story and narrative of as a force for democracy and social change.What if stories could be fuel just like solar energy?What if the narratives we share could help shift the tide against authoritarian fear?In this episode of Art is Change, we draw the connection between hopeful breakthroughs on the climate front and the power of story making in the fight for democracy. The provocation for these audacious questions is Bill McKibben's new book, Here Comes the Sun, which isn't just another climate manifesto. It backs hope with data.In it, we'll hear how ordinary farmers in places like Pakistan are transforming energy access without big subsidies, . Just affordability, imagination and a DIY spirit.Then we'll explore how mythic stories of fear and scarcity get reinforced and how we might actively replace them with notions of abundance, possibility and connection.And finally, we'll consider how something as simple as story circles neighbors telling each other what they see and feel can be a solar array of for democracy, act one, here comes the sun with a vengeance.Notable MentionsHere’s a list of all the people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned during the show.1. PeopleBill Cleveland – Host of Art is Change podcast and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community .Bill McKibben – Environmentalist, author, and founder of 350.org, often called one of the “grandfathers” of the climate movement. His new book Here Comes the Sun anchors the episode .Chris Hayes – Journalist and host of MSNBC’s Why Is This Happening? podcast, where he discussed McKibben’s ideas .John O’Neal – Playwright, director, and co-founder of the Free Southern Theater. He pioneered the use of story circles as a tool for community dialogue and activism .Judy Munson – Composer responsible for the Art is Change theme and soundscapes .2. EventsCivil Rights Movement (1960s) – Movement for racial justice in the U.S., where story circles were used to amplify voices and fuel activism .Hattiesburg, Mississippi Civil Rights organizing – Example of story circles transformed into community theater during the movement .Milestone, Mississippi civil rights activities – Community where Free Southern Theater and story circles had significant impact .Bogalusa, Louisiana civil rights struggles – A flashpoint for grassroots civil rights activism, amplified through story circles .Swamp Gravy – A community-based theater project in Georgia, born from story circles .The Laramie Project – A play created from community interviews after the murder of Matthew Shepard, showing the transformative power of story sharing .3. OrganizationsCenter for the Study of Art and Community – Produces Art is Change and supports artists and cultural organizers working at the intersection of art and social change .Free Southern Theater – Founded in 1963 in Mississippi, used theater and story circles to support civil rights activism .Koch Industries – Used as an example of fossil fuel industry resistance to renewable energy transitions .Freesound.org – Online database of free sound effects, used in the podcast .4. PublicationsHere Comes the Sun (2024) – Bill McKibben’s latest book, subtitled A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization. It documents the global solar energy revolution and its democratic implications .Why Is This Happening? Podcast – Chris Hayes’ program, where he discussed McKibben’s solar revolution narrative .*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What if art could open the door to a new life after prison? What if creative work wasn't just healing, but a literal job offer?In a time when reentry programs are scarce and trust is hard to rebuild, this episode, the second of our two part series on the work of California Lawyers for the Arts, introduces Designing Creative Futures, a groundbreaking initiative that uses the power of the arts to help formerly incarcerated individuals reclaim their future. With stories from inside and outside the system, we explore how mentorship, hands on creativity and belief in potential can lead to lasting change.In it, we'll hear how a coalition led by California Lawyers for the arts helped over 200 individuals find not just reentry internships, but purpose.We'll learn how mentorship and woodworking in prison and Designing Creative Futures on the outside helped one man, Frank Quiros, discover his calling and build a new life.And we'll discover how storytelling, craft and persistence are reshaping re entry with dignity, creativity and impact Notable MentionsPeopleBill Cleveland – Host of Art Is Change, community arts practitioner, and long-time leader in arts and social change .Alma Robinson – Longtime Executive Director of California Lawyers for the Arts; spearheaded the Designing Creative Futures reentry initiative .Frank Quiroz – Formerly incarcerated artist who rebuilt his life through woodworking, pottery, and arts internships via Designing Creative Futures .Governor Gavin Newsom – California governor who announced early releases during COVID to mitigate prison overcrowding .Ms. Larkey – Daughter of musician Carole King, connected with the People’s Pottery Project .Carole King – Iconic singer-songwriter; her daughter was involved in supporting the People’s Pottery Project .Jack Reedy – Woodworking mentor and teacher at Taft Correctional Facility who profoundly influenced Frank’s artistic and personal growth .Sergeant Rodriguez – Prison staff member who supported incarcerated woodworkers in shipping their creations home .Frank Hernández (Gro) – Artist associated with Self Help Graphics, part of its influential legacy .Patssi Valdez – Chicana artist and founding member of the Asco collective, connected to Self Help Graphics .Marvea – Director at Self Help Graphics who helped connect Frank to work at LACMA .EventsCOVID-19 Early Releases in California (2020) – Governor Newsom’s plan to release up to 8,000 incarcerated individuals due to overcrowding and health risks .NEA Our Town Grant (2020) – $100,000 awarded to California Lawyers for the Arts to pilot Designing Creative Futures .California State Contract (2022) – $3 million contract expanding Designing Creative Futures placements to Los Angeles and the Bay Area .Geffen Galleries Opening at LACMA (2025) – $898 million expansion project at LACMA, featuring new sustainable exhibition design using reclaimed trees .OrganizationsCalifornia Lawyers for the Arts (CLA) – Legal and advocacy nonprofit supporting artists; created the Designing Creative Futures reentry program .National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – Federal agency supporting arts projects, provided seed funding for the reentry pilot .City of San Diego – Partnered in funding the pilot phase of Designing Creative Futures .People’s Pottery Project – Los Angeles nonprofit led by formerly incarcerated women, offering community ceramics programs .Self Help Graphics &amp; Art – Historic East LA Chicano arts center, renowned for its role in Día de los Muertos celebrations and cultural activism .Prison Industry Authority (PIA) – California state program providing incarcerated people with job training in industries like furniture production .California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) – State agency overseeing prisons; indirectly connected through PIA and reentry policies .Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – Major West Coast art museum where Frank worked in exhibition design after release .Walker Art Center – Contemporary art museum in Minneapolis, where Bill Cleveland previously worked .San Quentin State Prison – California prison with a long-standing art program, referenced for its impact .Angel City Lumber – LA-based company that salvages urban trees for sustainable reuse; collaborated on LACMA’s Geffen Gallery .PublicationsWood Magazine – Popular woodworking magazine brought into prison classrooms by mentor Jack Reedy .Fine Woodworking – Influential woodworking publication also shared with incarcerated students .Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – Classic novel frequently read by Frank during incarceration, symbolizing resilience and redemption .*****Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

In this episode, we sit down with Alma Robinson, the longtime executive director of California Lawyers for the Arts. From cultural repatriation to youth advocacy to resurrecting a legendary prison arts program, Alma has been at the heart of a quiet revolution, mobilizing artists and legal advocates to shape a more just creative society.In it we'll hear how Alma's early work on cultural restoration and restitution shaped a lifelong commitment to public service We also learn why creative youth development and artists' residencies in prisons are critical tools in community healing. And discover how art, law and grassroots action can work together to preserve heritage, fight displacement, and expand opportunity.So. If you've ever wondered how deep systems change actually happens, or how artists and activists can forge powerful, unexpected alliances, this conversation is for you. Part one. Whose story is this? Anyway, Alma Robinson, welcome to the show. So. What's going on with you these days?&nbsp;

What happens when a president tries to get the WOKE out of museums?In this episode of ART IS CHANGE we follow the latest political attacks on the Smithsonian and other cultural institutions and explore how activist artists and institutions around the country are turning up the volume in response.From DC Block parties powered by Go Go beats to high stakes opera in Detroit, artists and cultural leaders are stepping into the fray.With escalating pressure from the Trump administration targeting exhibits in institutions and leaders, creatives across the country are beginning to push back.In this Artists Change weather report: We explore how Executive Order 14253 is being used to reshape cultural institutions under the guise of American greatness.We'll hear the story of Free DC's music fueled protest movement reclaiming public space and voice, and discover how cultural organizers in LA and beyond are responding with art, activism and coordinated statements of defiance.Notable MentionsHere’s a clickable reference guide including people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the episode, each with a brief description and embedded hyperlink for further reading. PeopleFrancine Prose Author and critic, noted here for warning that whitewashing history erodes democratic truth.Samuel Redman History professor at UMass Amherst, quoted on the unprecedented legal ambiguity of executive interference in museum operations.Justice Yadi Yad Johnson Community organizer and member of Long Live GoGo, using music to empower D.C. residents during unrest.Erika Hirugami Curator of the Abolish ICE Mercado de Arte in Los Angeles, which raised funds for immigrant rights.Thalía Gochez Photographer whose group show in LA helped raise money for legal defense efforts.Patrick Martinez LA-based visual artist known for protest-themed signage.Lalo Alcaraz Political cartoonist and satirist who released posters in support of labor leaders.Kiyo Gutiérrez Artist who used the LA River as a canvas for immigrant justice messaging.Nadya Tolokonnikova Co-founder of Pussy Riot, whose performance Police State became a metaphor for escalating ICE raids in LA.EventsExecutive Order 14253 said to enforce cultural alignment with “American greatness,” used to justify censorship at museums.Free D.C. Go-Go Protests Music-based protest events reclaiming public space and demanding home rule for the District of Columbia.National Guard and ICE Raids in LA Referenced context for artists’ responses during federal crackdowns on immigrant communities.Detroit Opera’s Production of The Central Park Five An operatic retelling of the wrongful conviction of five Black and Latino teenagers. The opera won a Pulitzer Prize and became a form of cultural resistance.OrganizationsSmithsonian Institution America’s national museum complex, under political scrutiny in the podcast for allegedly “woke” exhibits.National Museum of African American History and Culture A Smithsonian museum specifically called out in political attacks for its portrayal of race and slavery.Kennedy Center National performing arts venue whose programming has reportedly shifted under political pressure.Long Live GoGo Cultural movement using Washington D.C.’s native music style as a tool for protest and unity.Japanese American National Museum LA-based institution that joined public statements against military deployment.Chinese American Museum Cultural museum in Los Angeles advocating against authoritarian presence.LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Mexican-American cultural center that stood against federal overreach in LA.Grand Performances Outdoor arts presenter in LA supporting activist statements.MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles Hosted Nadya Tolokonnikova’s politically charged Police State performance.Detroit Opera Opera company that staged The Central Park Five amid political controversy.National Coalition Against Censorship Co-organizer of the “Collective Courage” statement defending artistic freedom.Vera List Center for Art and Politics New York-based academic hub for socially engaged art, co-organizer of the Collective Courage statement.The Center for the Study of Art and Community Podcast’s production home, supporting creative leaders working at the intersection of art and social change.PublicationsThe New Yorker Cited for commentary on cultural control and Trump’s branding of history.Albuquerque Journal Quoted Nadya Tolokonnikova on the real-life impact of her Police State performance.*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What can a story of the building of a community bridge teach us today as we struggle to find common ground? The answer, of course, is more than you can imagine, and then some.And in this episode of Art is Change, we'll hear the story of just one of the many, many examples we can learn from.Now, in this episode You'll hear How one bold question sparked a mural project, reflecting a flood of voices and connection across race, age, and geography. And how that mural project morphed from a visual illusion into a bridge between worlds.And finally, when a forgotten commitment led to the mural's loss, how a community's response became a powerful act of healing and recovery. This show is all about how art can heal, unite, and even kickstart conversations that matter. Plus, we’ll chat about a little hiccup in the project’s journey, when the mural faced some serious neglect, and how the community rallied to give it a second chance. Get ready, because this isn’t just art – it’s a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity!

What does it take for a community of activist artists &amp; cultural organizers to become a real force for resistance &amp; change?And doing that, how do we create communities that can hold both joy and grief and stay resilient in these weird hard times and still fight for justice together?This is Artist Change, a chronicle of art and social change, where activist artists and cultural organizers share the skills and strategies they need to thrive as creative community leaders.You know, sometimes you meet someone and instantly you feel like they've been gathering people, feeding souls, and making space for real conversations their whole life. That's Wendy Shenefelt In our conversation, she takes us on her journey from growing up in the Deep south in a transracial family to become a convener, a listener, and a leader in a 49 year old movement of artists and cultural workers fighting for justice. In this episode, we talk about: How art can cut through the noise when the words aren't enough.And what it takes to keep a community safe and connected in challenging times. And why sometimes the smartest move for a movement is to work quietly behind the scenes.So grab your coffee or sweet tea and join us for a conversation about joy, grief, resilience, and the power of gathering in the circle or on the porch or around the kitchen table. Part one. Roots and Roots. Welcome to the show. Wendy, just so you know, I look forward to all my conversations.

If you’re a cultural worker navigating the messy, magical middle ground of art and activism, who’s taking care of you?Now, if you’ve been with us over the last two episodes, you’ll know we’ve been tackling what we call the building blocks of effective community arts practice—those foundational elements that help artists not just make meaningful work, but do so in ways that are ethical, sustainable, and rooted in justice.In Episode 1, we explored Accountability: To whom, and for what, are we truly responsible in our work?In Episode 2, we examined Leadership: How do cultural workers lead without domination, and how do they grow others in the process?And today, we turn inward—to a topic that is as personal as it is political: self-care.Because the truth is, being a cultural activist is not just a calling—it’s also exhausting. In this conversation, my partners-in-crime—artist and historian Leni Sloan and cultural organizer Barbara Shaffer Bacon—and I dive into the real and raw question: How do we sustain ourselves in this work?We’ll talk about the material needs often left unmet—like housing, healthcare, childcare—and why self-care isn’t just bubble baths, it’s a structural necessity. We’ll share stories about burnout, soul-feeding practices, and what it means to build and rely on an ecosystem of mutual care.And as always, we’re not just reflecting—we’re passing on what we’ve learned over a collective century of practice. So whether you’re a parade leader, a prickly cactus, or a builder of the long tail, we hope this episode gives you room to breathe, reflect, and reimagine what sustainability can look like in the world of community-based art.Let’s get into it.Great! Below is a version of the requested list formatted specifically for show notes on Captivate.fm. It is optimized for readability, includes clickable hyperlinks, and presents the categories clearly to support podcast listeners looking to explore the episode’s references further.Series: Building Blocks of Effective Community Arts PracticeNotable Mentions🧑‍🤝‍🧑&nbsp;People Bill Cleveland – Host of Art is Change and founder of the Center for the Study of Art and Community.Leni Sloan – Artist, activist, and former NEA program director, known for arts policy and cultural leadership.Barbara Schaffer Bacon – Educator, movement-builder, and co-director of Animating Democracy.Linda Stout – Community organizer and founder of Spirit in Action, supporting sustainability for activists.Liz Lerman – Choreographer and pioneer in community-based dance and social practice arts.Grace Lee Boggs – Philosopher and activist who emphasized the importance of reflection in movement work.Stephen Goldstein – Former director of the San Francisco Arts Commission.Jack Davis – Late administrator who helped develop infrastructure for working artists.Wendy Schenefelt – Executive Director of Alternate ROOTS, featured in the upcoming episode.📅&nbsp;Events ReferencedCOVID-19 Pandemic – A backdrop for discussions around gig artists, healthcare access, and vaccination initiatives.Milosevic-Era Protests in Serbia – Highlighted through the guerrilla performances of DA Theater resisting authoritarian rule.Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) – A 1970s U.S. jobs program that treated artists as workers and supported infrastructure like costume and lighting banks.🏛️&nbsp;Organizations &amp; ProgramsCenter for the Study of Art and Community – Host of the Art is Change podcast and a hub for arts-based social change work.Spirit in Action – Organization founded by Linda Stout, providing care and retreats for change-makers.Animating Democracy – National initiative at Americans for the Arts supporting civic engagement through the arts.Alternate ROOTS – Southern regional arts organization advancing social and economic justice.DAH Teatar (Serbia) – Activist theater company defying Milosevic through performance in public space.San Francisco Arts Commission – City agency formerly responsible for artist support programs.McKnight Foundation – Funder of fellowships for working artists; supported ecosystem research mentioned in the episode.Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (Pay Equity Report) – Released a major study on economic challenges facing cultural workers in Western Massachusetts.📚&nbsp;Reports, Concepts &amp; InitiativesMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Framework for understanding the basic needs of artists—housing, safety, health.“Pay Equity: A Study of the Cultural Workforce in the Berkshires” – A report highlighting financial instability among arts workers.“Shot for a Shot” Vaccine Campaign – Creative public health program for artists offering vaccinations and drinks in exchange for showing tattoos.Invisible Artist Ecosystem – Describes informal networks of shared resources like gear, rehearsal space, and materials that sustain artistic communities.Passion-Based Industry – Term used to describe the emotionally rewarding but financially unstable nature of community arts work.📌 Want to learn more? Visit www.artandcommunity.com for resources, archives, and more information about the Art is Change podcast and related programs.AcknowledgementsForm FreeSound.orgRaw data glitch 9 by Kronek9 -- https://freesound.org/s/676952/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Homage - Hypnotic and dreamy track comprised of a single minimalist ambient evolving synth by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/626466/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Bosch’s Garden – Mythical Game Music for Fantasy and AI Projects by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/647212/ -- License: Attribution 4.0*******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists,

Can an artist lead a community? What does it take for cultural activists to become trusted stewards of change in divisive times?In a world grappling with polarization and rising authoritarianism, the need for compassionate, imaginative leadership has never been more urgent. This episode dives into how artists and cultural workers already operating in community spaces can embrace roles as civic leaders—balancing creativity with responsibility and vision with service.Discover how leadership can be reframed through metaphors like the wedding planner, the parade leader, and the soul shepherd.Hear powerful stories of artistic ingenuity in places like death row and urban neighborhoods that reveal art’s transformative power.Learn the foundational traits and practical strategies for leading with courage, communication, and care in culturally complex contexts.Notable Mentions: Here’s a categorized, hyperlinked list of the People, Events, Organizations, and Publications mentioned in the podcast episode, 🧑‍🤝‍🧑&nbsp;PeopleBill ClevelandHost of Art is Change podcast and founder of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, focused on arts-based social change.Barbara Schaffer BaconEducator, author, and cultural advisor known for her work in community arts and co-director of Animating Democracy at Americans for the Arts.Leni SloanActivist, performer, former NEA program director, and public arts strategist, known for subversive leadership through arts policy and programming.Marty PottengerTheater artist and cultural organizer integrating art with social justice and civic engagement on issues like labor rights and police reform.Hubert MasseyDetroit-based muralist and sculptor creating community-centered public art that reflects local culture and history.Ruth AsawaJapanese American visual artist and educator, interned during WWII, known for her wire sculptures and arts advocacy in education.Lynelle Herrick (limited public information)Artist who facilitated portrait painting classes on death row, creating a transformative creative community among incarcerated men.Jane GoldenFounder of Mural Arts Philadelphia, pioneering large-scale public mural projects as tools for community storytelling and change.Judy BacaRenowned Chicana muralist and founder of the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), creator of The Great Wall of Los Angeles.Andres SerranoContemporary artist best known for the controversial photograph Piss Christ, which ignited national debates on public arts funding.Holly Hughes and Tim MillerPerformance artists involved in the 1990s NEA funding controversy related to artistic expression and censorship.Sidney R. YatesLongtime U.S. Congressman and arts advocate who negotiated NEA budget deals during cultural controversies.Randolph McCausland (Randy McCaus) (limited public bio)Former deputy chairman of the NEA; advised on convening and planning as essential tools in arts leadership.📅&nbsp;EventsJapanese American Internment CampsWWII-era incarceration of Japanese Americans, referenced in Ruth Asawa’s origin story and artwork.Sesquicentennial Celebrations (Pennsylvania)Community commemorations of Pennsylvania’s 150th anniversary, used creatively by Leni Sloan to encourage inclusive local histories.NEA “Culture Wars” Controversy (1990s)Political conflict over federal arts funding sparked by works like Piss Christ and performances by the “NEA Four,” including Hughes and Miller.🏛️&nbsp;OrganizationsCenter for the Study of Art and CommunityProducer of the Art is Change podcast; supports community-based art initiatives and leadership.Animating Democracy (Americans for the Arts)National program supporting art and civic dialogue, co-led by Barbara Schaffer Bacon.Mural Arts PhiladelphiaNation’s largest public art program, transforming Philadelphia through collaborative mural projects.SPARC (Social and Public Art Resource Center)Los Angeles-based community arts center co-founded by Judy Baca to promote public art as social dialogue.National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)U.S. federal agency that funds and supports artistic excellence, creativity, and access, central to discussions of censorship and funding.Horace Mann School (San Francisco)Public school where Ruth Asawa led a transformative community arts initiative involving students as curators and storytellers.Freesound.orgOnline collaborative database of audio snippets and sound effects, used for production in the podcast.📚&nbsp;Publications (Artworks / Projects / Phrases)Piss Christ by Andres SerranoControversial 1987 photograph of a crucifix submerged in urine, sparking major arts funding debates.The Great Wall of Los AngelesMonumental mural led by Judy Baca, documenting overlooked histories of marginalized groups in California.Gun Runner for the Arts (metaphorical)A term coined by Leni Sloan to describe bold, risky cultural leadership; not an official publication but emblematic of arts activism.AcknowledgementsFrom Freesound.orghorror ambience 26.wav by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/172036/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Cows mooing in a valley in the Pyrenees 2 by Virgile_Loiseau -- https://freesound.org/s/751736/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to...

To whom or what are artists and cultural organizers truly accountable—and why does it matter?In an age where creative work increasingly intersects with social change, understanding accountability is crucial for artists striving to make a civic impact. Whether you’re creating in your own community or stepping into unfamiliar territory, this episode explores the moral and practical anchors that define responsible, effective, and meaningful&nbsp;community cultural engagement.Learn how deep cultural competency and trust-building are essential for impactful community-based art.Discover real-world examples, like Marty Pottenger’s transformative police poetry project, that reveal the power of accountability to inspire civic connection.Gain insights into the layered responsibilities artists carry—from honoring their craft to serving diverse community stakeholders ethically.Notable Mentions🧑‍🎨 People 1. Bill ClevelandHost of Art is Change and director of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community; a key voice in community-based art and cultural development. 2. Jerry StropnickyVeteran theater director known for creating community theater frameworks; referenced for his “A Principles” guide in episode 135. 3. Barbara Schaffer BaconEducator, cultural advisor, and longtime advocate for arts-based civic engagement; co-host on this episode. 4. Leni SloanCultural activist, performer, and historian, recognized for decades of work integrating art, identity, and democracy. 5. Marty PottengerPlaywright, performer, and cultural organizer whose work blends theater with social justice themes like labor rights and police-community relations. 6. Chuck DavisFounder of DanceAfrica, he was pivotal in bringing African dance to American audiences in respectful and celebratory ways. 7. Catherine DunhamInfluential dancer and anthropologist who brought African and Caribbean dance traditions into American theater and film. 8. Pearl PrimusA pioneering African-American choreographer and anthropologist, known for exploring African diasporic traditions in dance.📅 Events 1. DanceAfricaA vibrant festival of African and African-American dance, music, and culture hosted by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM); discussed as an example of cultural appropriation and transformation. 2. No Kings ActionsReferenced as a current cultural movement or art action focused on community-led change and artistic protest (exact reference likely points to grassroots activist performances). 3. Dinner Down Main StreetA community arts event metaphor representing public engagement, celebration, and co-created civic dialogue.🏢 Organizations 1. Center for the Study of Art and CommunityThe organization that produces Art is Change and supports creative community change projects through the arts. 2. Portland, Maine Police DepartmentCollaborated with Marty Pottenger in a creative initiative involving police officers writing and sharing poetry with the public. 3. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)Prestigious arts institution that hosts DanceAfrica; highlighted in a discussion on cultural translation and appropriation. 4. Freesound.orgA collaborative database of Creative Commons licensed sound effects used in the podcast.📚 Publications/Works 1. Art at WorkA cultural organizing initiative founded by Marty Pottenger that integrates art into municipal systems to build civic health and connection. 2. Police Poetry CalendarPart of the Art at Work project in Portland, Maine, this calendar showcased poems written by police officers to build trust and humanize public servants.Acknowledgements: From Fresound.org190621_0386_FR_AfricanDrums.wav by kevp888 -- https://freesound.org/s/475150/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Crowd Applause - Clapping Hands by imagefilm.berlin -- https://freesound.org/s/746442/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Acoustic Guitar - Sleepy - br ch 1 - 127bpm Bb.wav by afrodrumming -- https://freesound.org/s/187686/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 From a presentation by percussionist Terreon Gully at the on the compelling legacy of Katherine Dunham’s dance school in East St. Louis and its connections to jazz, dance, and African drumming. This event will explore how Dunham’s cultural movement shaped the region and influenced generations of musicians and artists. https://www.youtube.com/live/VzWFU4oFK4I?si=jUcFPi4ClVMRP8wb*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What happens when a theater director steps into a struggling town and ignites transformation through the power of shared stories?In a world where communities face trauma, disconnection, and invisibility, this episode explores how the ancient impulse to gather and perform stories can foster healing, agency, and real-world change. If you’ve ever wondered how art can truly make a difference, this conversation reveals what it takes. In this episode we:Learn how ensemble-based, community-driven theater projects have tackled crises like the opioid epidemic and flood response with lasting impact.Hear firsthand how storymaking catalyzes civic empathy and even reshapes local policy, as told by someone who’s witnessed communities reclaim power through their own narratives.Discover the 7 principles that guide ethical, effective, and deeply human community arts practice—from agency to accessibility.Press play to experience how Jerry Stropnicky uses theater as a tool for justice, healing, and democracy—and be inspired to see your own community through a new lens.Notable Mentions:Here’s a comprehensive list of all people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in your podcast transcript, each with clickable hyperlinks and a contextual description:👥 PeopleJerry Stropnicky Director, actor, and founding member of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in rural Pennsylvania&nbsp; Jo Carson: American playwright, storyteller, and collaborator with Stropnicky; known for works like Stories I Ain’t Told Nobody Yet ()John Malkovich: Famous actor and Stropnicky’s college friend at Northwestern, sharing tales of selling office supplies togetherPeter Brook: Legendary theater director Stropnicky observed in Paris at the International Centre for Theatre Research ()Alvina Krause: Renowned acting teacher in Bloomsburg and inspirational founder of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble ()Bill Rauch: He was named the inaugural artistic director of the&nbsp;Ronald O. Perelman Performing Arts Center&nbsp;(PACNYC) at the World Trade Center in 2018.[1]Previously, Rauch served as the fifth artistic director of the&nbsp;Oregon Shakespeare Festival&nbsp;(OSF), Rauch is also the founder of the Cornerstone Theater Company, Lori Woolery (Associate Director, Public Works) Leading figure in the Public Theater’s “Public Works” community-driven initiative in New York City ()Bruce Springsteen: Iconic musician who generously granted permission for the song “The River” to be used in Touchstone Theater's community-based play Steel Bound, and supported the production of Susie Tanner's play Lady Beth.John Landau: Springsteen’s manager who handled the licensing of “The River” via faxSusie Tanner: Director in Long Beach working on a similar steelworkers’ play—won Bruce Springsteen’s supportHarry Boyte: Civic democracy advocate who emphasizes that practicing democracy is an active, embodied practice. 📅 Events &amp; PerformancesBloomsburg Theatre Ensemble Tours in Sub-Saharan Africa (c. 1990–91): Performance tour sponsored by the U.S. State Department through Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia—spurred Stropnicky’s pivot to storytelling theaterHarlan County, Kentucky Higher Ground Opioid Crises Response project: Community-based theater tackling America’s opioid crisis, credited with contributing to social changeTouchstone’s Theatre's “Steel Bound” &amp; “Prometheus Redux”: Plays reflecting economic and social change in Bethlehem, PA’s steel community🏛️ Organizations, Foundations &amp; AgenciesBloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE): Rural Pennsylvania-based ensemble theater that Stropnicky co-founded, specializing in devised, community-rooted work&nbsp; Ford Foundation: Major philanthropic organization that provided funding for Stropnicky’s African collaborators ()USAID: U.S. international development agency which funded theater-for-development HIV/AIDS plays in Africa. Recently defunded by the Trump administration. International Centre for Theatre Research: Peter Brook’s influential company in Paris, where Stropnicky studiedTouchstone Theatre (Bethlehem, PA): Venue where Stropnicky worked on “Steel Bound” and later “Prometheus Redux”Public Theater (New York, NY): Home of Public Works—led by Lori Woolery, blending professional actors and community membersSwamp Gravy (Colquitt, GA): A pioneering community-driven “folk-life play” with widespread influence ()📚 Publications &amp; Theoretical FrameworksJo Carson’s Spider Speculations: Explores neuroscience and storytelling, especially the physiological/social power of narrativeAugusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed: Latin American methodology (Boal-inspired) influencing Theatre for Development work in AfricaStropnicky’s “Seven A’s” framework: Agency, Authenticity, Artistry, Accuracy, Audacity, Audience, Accessibility: Seven guiding principles for designing community-centered theaterBruce Springsteen’s The River: Culturally significant song integrated into community performances (with recorded permission)Letters to the Editor Play: Script devised from 200 years of local newspaper letters; helped catalyze sustained community theater interest“Under African Skies”: Educational play developed into a school tour thanks to Ford Foundation and Bloomsburg ensemble*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into...

What do the arts have to do with resisting authoritarianism? And how do we, as creative community leaders, keep pushing for democracy when the odds feel stacked against us?If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the news, discouraged by political setbacks, or unsure how artists and cultural organizers fit into this urgent fight, you’re not alone. This episode brings powerful insights from the 22nd Century Initiative Gathering in Atlanta—where movement leaders, activists, and artists came together to ask the big questions: How do we stop the rise of authoritarianism? And what does it look like to build a resilient, creative resistance?Discover the proven strategies of nonviolent resistance that have toppled regimes and fortified democracies around the world.Learn why loneliness fuels authoritarianism—and how art can be the antidote by reconnecting communities.Hear how artists are not just reflecting change, but making it: organizing, blocking, bridging, and building democracy in real time.Listen now to explore how you—as an artist, funder, or cultural leader—can be a strategic force in resisting authoritarianism and imagining a democratic future worth fighting for.Here’s an expanded list of the key figures, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the podcast transcript—now with richer context and updated hyperlinks for deeper exploration:👤 1. PeopleDaniel Hunter – Founder and co-director of Choose Democracy, renowned civil resistance trainer and author of Building a Movement to End the New Jim Crow&nbsp; Maria J. Stephan – Co-lead and Chief Organizer at the Horizons Project, political scientist and co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works&nbsp; Ash‑Lee Woodard Henderson – Co-Executive Director of the Highlander Research &amp; Education Center, organizer in the Movement for Black Lives&nbsp; Emory Douglas – Minister of Culture and graphic artist for the Black Panther Party, his visuals became iconic protest art&nbsp; Lily Yeh – Founder of the Village of Arts and Humanities in Philadelphia, pioneer of community-based public art&nbsp; 📅 2. Events &amp; MovementsCivil Rights Movement – Legendary U.S. nonviolent struggle for racial justice, often cited as a model of civil resistanceProtests against Authoritarian Leaders – Global instances (e.g., Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Hungary’s Orban) illustrating the worldwide struggle to defend democracy&nbsp; 22CI Gathering – The Twenty‑Second Century Initiative conference focused on resisting authoritarianism and fostering democratic resilience🏛️ 3. OrganizationsChoose Democracy – Nonpartisan group preparing Americans to resist undemocratic power grabs through training and strategic organizing&nbsp; Horizons Project – Organizing initiative led by Julia Roig and Maria Stephan focused on bridging ideological divides and rebuilding democracy&nbsp; Highlander Research &amp; Education Center – Historic training center advancing social justice, now co-led by Ash‑Lee Henderson&nbsp; Black Panther Party – Revolutionary Black Power organization known for community programs and Emory Douglas’s visual art&nbsp; Village of Arts and Humanities – North Philadelphia nonprofit transforming vacant lots through communal art projects&nbsp; Laundromat Project – New York–based initiative placing artists in everyday spaces to spark community-led cultural change&nbsp; 📚 4. Publications &amp; WorksWhy Civil Resistance Works – Co-authored by Maria Stephan; benchmarks the effectiveness of nonviolent movements&nbsp; Building a Movement to End the New Jim Crow, Climate Resistance Handbook, Strategy and Soul – Books by Daniel Hunter on activism and social change&nbsp; Black Panther newspaper (posters by Emory Douglas) – A striking medium for Panther messaging and community visuals&nbsp; *******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What happens when community theater, political leadership, and grassroots organizing collide? In today’s polarized climate, building authentic, inclusive community can feel impossible—especially across political, social, and cultural divides. But Kathie deNobriga has been doing exactly that for decades—as an artist, activist, and even as the mayor of a small Georgia town. Her story shows how creativity, collaboration, and a little humor can foster connection where we need it most.Hear how Kathie’s winding journey from political theater to small-town leadership taught her the power of listening, laughter, and shared purpose.Learn how grassroots festivals, community theater, and collaborative storytelling can become secret weapons for tolerance and social change.Discover why humility, mistakes, and the occasional unruly neighbor (or cow) are essential ingredients for building real, resilient communities.Tune in to hear how one artist-mayor is using creativity and conversation to rewrite the story of community—one gathering, one laugh, one story at a time.Notable Mentions👤 PeopleKathie deNobrigaTheater artist, cultural organizer, former mayor of Pine Lake, GA, and long-time member of Alternate ROOTS.Bill ClevelandHost of the Art is Change podcast and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community.Jo CarsonTheater collaborator and part of the early political theater collective referenced by deNobriga.Bob LeonardLongtime community-based theater artist and academic, mentioned as a long-term collaborator with Kathie.Ashley HazeA younger member of the Alternate ROOTS staff, representative of the intergenerational dialogue in the organization.Hannah ArendtPolitical theorist cited in the conversation for her insights on loneliness and totalitarianism.📅 EventsPine Lake October Arts FestivalAnnual local arts festival organized in Pine Lake, GA, coordinated by Kathie as a civic-arts initiative.Spoleto Festival USAPremier arts festival in Charleston, South Carolina that includes music, theater, and visual arts. Kathie attended and highlighted it for featuring Manual Cinema.🏛️ OrganizationsAlternate ROOTSA southern-based collective of artists and cultural organizers working at the intersection of art and activism. deNobriga is both a contributor and co-editor of their upcoming book.Manual CinemaChicago-based performance collective blending shadow puppetry, cinematic techniques, and live performance. Their show The Fourth Witch was praised by Kathie.The Center for the Study of Art and CommunityThe podcast’s parent organization founded by Bill Cleveland, promoting creative community leadership.The Road Company (assumed to be related to or inspired by this group)A political theater troupe in Johnson City, TN referenced in Kathie’s early work.Freesound.orgA collaborative database of Creative Commons-licensed sound effects, credited in the podcast’s production notes.📚 PublicationsThe Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah ArendtLandmark political analysis on how loneliness and social atomization contribute to the rise of totalitarian regimes.(Upcoming) Alternate ROOTS 50th Anniversary BookA collective anthology currently in development, capturing the 50-year history of Alternate ROOTS. Scheduled for publication in 2026. Not yet available online.*****Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.\Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What happens when your art, your activism or your organization’s mission makes you a political target?If you’re an artist, nonprofit leader, cultural organizer, or anyone working at the intersection of creativity and social change, you already know the landscape is shifting—and not in your favor. From sudden grant revocations to legal threats and public media cuts, values-driven arts organizations are facing mounting political and financial pressure. In an environment where inclusion and cultural storytelling are under attack, understanding how to protect your work is no longer optional—it’s essential.Discover how new federal policies and funding shifts are undermining equity-focused arts initiatives—and what that means for your organization’s future.Learn the difference between the “Ironman” and “Atomic Blonde” survival strategies for nonprofits navigating politically hostile environments, and how to align your approach with your mission.Gain actionable tools for crisis communication, narrative layering, and coalition building to defend your mission and your community when the pressure is on.Listen now to learn how to safeguard your creative work and stay resilient in the face of rising political and legal threats to activist artists, cultural organizers and community cultural organizations.Notable Mentions1. PeopleMatthew Charles Davis – Public relations and crisis communications expert featured in the Grantmakers in the Arts webinar “Navigating Today’s Funder Challenges.” Former investigative journalist known for handling high‑profile media crises&nbsp; .2. EventsNavigating Today’s Funder Challenges: A Live, Expert Discussion – A Grantmakers in the Arts webinar held June 3, 2025, featuring experts (including Matthew Charles Davis) discussing legal, PR, and narrative strategies for nonprofit arts funding&nbsp; Grantmakers in the Arts 2025 Webinar Series – A continuing series of webinars for arts funders and nonprofit leaders organized by Grantmakers in the Arts ().3. OrganizationsGrantmakers in the Arts – National service organization offering resources, webinars, and research to support arts funders and grantees&nbsp; National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – Federal agency providing funding and support for U.S. arts projects; mentioned regarding grant revocations.Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Executive office responsible for federal budget oversight; cited for budget freezes on grant approvals.Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) – Federal agency funding public broadcasters like PBS and NPR, currently facing funding threats.PBS – Public Broadcasting Service, funded partly through CPB; its federal support has been targeted.NPR – National Public Radio, similarly reliant on CPB and under political scrutiny.Kennedy Center – Leading performing arts center in D.C., shifting resources toward patriotic programming per internal memos.Americans for the Arts – Advocacy group lobbying against federal arts funding cuts and supporting the arts sector.Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) – Indigenous-focused arts institute facing funding threats in the FY 2026 budget.LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) – Community development nonprofit that adjusted its messaging to maintain federal funding, switching from “race/gender” to “social/economic disadvantage.”Central Park SummerStage – Outdoor performance series in NYC; cited among organizations impacted by NEA grant cancellations.Oakland Theater Project – East Bay arts organization whose federal grants were pulled unexpectedly.San Francisco Jazz – Renowned music organization in San Francisco affected by NEA funding revocations.4. Publications &amp; ReportsWebinar “Navigating Today’s Funder Challenges” materials – Grantmakers in the Arts event materials referenced for crisis‑communication tools and best practices&nbsp; .*****Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What if the key to undoing bias and building empathy isn’t just policy or protest—but a complicated art and neuroscience dance that facilitates the rewiring the human brain?In this final chapter of our three-part Breaking Ice series, we move from the stage to the synapse. After witnessing how theater can unearth hidden truths and foster real conversations, we now explore the neuroscience behind it all. What’s really happening inside us when we struggle with difference? And how can understanding the brain help advance the work of DEI?Dive into the emerging science of imagination, fear, empathy, and storytelling—and what it reveals about our social behaviors.Learn why art, especially performance, is such a powerful tool for reconfiguring how we perceive “the other.”Hear a heartfelt, layperson’s journey into the brain’s wiring—and how Breaking Ice exemplifies the potential for rewiring hearts and minds through shared experience.Spending time with the Breaking Ice theater based diversity, equity, and inclusion program gave rise to a question: How might new insights about how the brain works might help us better understand the how and why of our continuing struggle with difference?&nbsp;Here is what ensued.&nbsp;LISTEN TO Part 1 of this seriesLISTEN TO Part 2 of this seriesChange the Story / All Episodes&nbsp;Notable MentionsBreaking Ice is the award-winning program of Pillsbury House Theatre that for over 20 years has been “breaking the ice” for courageous and productive dialogue around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. A diverse company of professional actors portrays real-life situations that are customized to meet the goals, needs and culture of each unique organization we serve.Pillsbury House and Theater&nbsp;is a groundbreaking “new model for human service work that recognizes the power of the arts and culture to stimulate community participation, investment and ownership.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: was a Hungarian-American psychologist. He recognized and named the psychological concept of "flow", a highly focused mental state conducive to productivity.[1][2]&nbsp;He was the Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Management at&nbsp;Claremont Graduate University. He was also the former head of the department of psychology at the&nbsp;University of Chicago&nbsp;and of the department of sociology and anthropology at&nbsp;Lake Forest College.[3]The ART IS CHANGE Library for Learning, and ResearchChange the Story Collections - Our full catalogue of Episodes in 12 Collections: Justice Arts, Art &amp; Healing, Cultural Organizing, Arts Ed./Children &amp; Youth, Community Arts Training, Music for Change, Theater for Change, Change Making Media, Creative Climate Action, Art of the RuralSourcesQuestion 2: How does our environment influence what we think and believe?&nbsp;1.Lobel, T. (2014) Sensations: The New Science of Physical Intelligence, Simon &amp; Schuster.2 Eagleman, David. The Brain: The Story of You. Pg., 105, Vintage Books, 2017Question 4: Why are stories important?&nbsp;3.Hamlin, JK, Wynn, K &amp; Bloom, P (2007) “Social evaluation by preverbal infants.” Nature, 450(7169), 557-59.Question 5: What is empathy and what does it have to do with artmaking?4 Eagleman, David. The Brain: The Story of You. Pg., 143, Vintage Books, 20175 Ibid.Question 11: If human cooperation and connection are so important, why do we struggle so with difference?&nbsp;6. How do children develop a sense of self? - The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/how-do-children- develop-a-sense-of-self-56117. Toddler | Preschool &amp; Daycare | The Montessori Centre St Lucia. http://www.themontessoricentre.com/toddlers/8. Eagleman, David. The Brain: The Story of You. Pg., 143, Vintage Books, 2017Question 13: Why is play so important to human development?&nbsp;9 Asma, Steven The History of Imagination, pg., 84, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 201710 Asma, Stephen, The Evolution of Imagination, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2017Question 15: How Can human creativity help us out of this mess?11 Boyd, Brian, On the Origin of Stories, Harvard University Press, Boston, 2010*******Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

Can a scripted performance shift the way people feel—and act—about race, identity, and inclusion in their workplace?This is Chapter Two of our three-part journey into the world of Breaking Ice, a theater-based DEI program pushing against the mounting tide of resistance and rollback. Building on the emotional groundwork laid in Part 1, we now go deeper into what happens after the curtain rises—when the performance ends and the real conversations begin.Step inside the post-performance debrief: a high-stakes dialogue where vulnerability, pushback, and transformation collide.Learn how Breaking Ice uses improvisation, humor, and empathy to defuse defensiveness and invite deeper understanding.Hear powerful reflections from both cast and audience members as they confront their own assumptions—and open up to change.If Part 1 opened your eyes, Part 2 will challenge your heart. Have a listen as Breaking Ice takes DEI off the page and into real lives, one courageous conversation at a time.

Can artists revive the powerful, but increasingly vilified, values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in America?As DEI initiatives face growing backlash and politicization, many wonder whether the ideals of inclusion and justice can still thrive. This show originally shared in 2023 is the first episode of a three-part series that invites listeners into a raw, eye-opening performance that uses the language of live theater to confront bias, spark honest dialogue, and explore how the arts can illuminate our shared humanity in even the most divided spaces.Discover how Breaking Ice, a pioneering DEI theater program, turns lived workplace tension into transformative learning experiences.Hear firsthand stories from healthcare professionals reckoning with identity, bias, and privilege in a system built on healing.Learn how art can dismantle defensiveness and create space for courageous, necessary conversations in complex institutions.Listen now to witness how storytelling and performance are cutting through silence to challenge division and inspire real change from the inside out.*****Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

What if changing a podcast title could spark a deeper, more powerful shift in how we understand the role of artists in shaping society? Not likely, but if you’ve ever felt like your creative work is meaningful but invisible in the fight for justice and transformation, this episode digs deep into how storytelling isn’t just a method—it’s the foundation. We’re in a moment where the narratives driving political and cultural realities are being rewritten, and artists are at the heart of this seismic shift.Discover why “Art is Change” isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a strategic move to make vital work more visible and more impactful.Learn how artists across the world are using creativity to counter dominant, damaging narratives and reclaim public imagination.Hear real stories of transformation, from mosaic-filled lots in Philly to clown-led protests in Serbia, showing how art actively reshapes communities.Tune in to uncover how changing the story—and the title—can change the world, one bold act of creativity at a time.Notable MentionsPeopleOn ART IS CHANGE: Lily Yeh: A Conversation With Lily Yeh Dijana Milosevic: Arts Driven Social Change &amp; Environmental Justice In Serbia Ben Fink: Cultural Organizing in Appalachia: Building Trust, Equity, and Economic Resilience – Part 1 and Part 2******Bill Cleveland – Host of the podcast, long-time community arts worker, founder of the Center for the Study of Art &amp; Community. Learn moreSlobodan Milošević – Former Serbian leader during whose regime artists staged creative protests. Learn more2. Events / ProjectsVillage of Arts and Humanities – Community arts organization in North Philadelphia that evolved from Lily Yeh’s project. Learn morePerforming Our Future – A cultural organizing initiative based in Appalachia, Kentucky, through Appalshop. Learn moreMass protests in Serbia – Referenced in the context of creative resistance during the Milošević regime. Learn more3. OrganizationsAppalshop – Media, arts, and education center in Appalachia. Learn moreCenter for the Study of Art &amp; Community – Host organization of the podcast and Bill Cleveland’s longtime initiative. Learn more4. Publications / IdeasChange the Story / Change the World – Original name of the podcast. Archived EpisodesArt is Change – New name of the podcast aimed at increasing clarity and discoverability. Listen hereThe “Authoritarian Story” – Conceptual framing used in the episode to critique political narratives and elevate the counter-storytelling role of art. Read more on narrative power*******ART IS CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

How can the transformative power of art and culture serve as the connective tissue in movements for democracy, justice, and deep societal change?In our divided world , building genuine, arts animated cross-sector collaboration is more than a goal—it’s a necessity. This episode dives into how activist artists and cultural organizers can forge meaningful connections with their community social change partners and why our current systems often fail to support that.Discover the innovative approach of the Horizons Project and how it’s redefining movement-building through authentic relationship weaving.Learn why sharing stories and cultural engagement are crucial in combating authoritarianism and fostering a thriving democracy.Understand how vulnerability, play, and arts are not just tools, but essential strategies for social transformation and collective sense-making.Tune in now to explore how Julia Roig and the Horizons Project are laying the groundwork for a new, interconnected way of organizing for democracy and justice.Notable Mentions:Here is a categorized list of all mentioned individuals, events, organizations, and publications, each accompanied by a brief description and a hyperlink for more in-depth information: PeopleJulia Roig – Founder and Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project, focusing on bridging peacebuilding, social justice, and democracy.Cristine Michie – Host of the PlayFull Podcast, where she discusses the role of play in social change.Jarvis Williams – Pastor and speaker who discusses the paradoxes within institutions and the importance of authentic belonging.Míriam Juan-Torres González – Moderator at the Othering &amp; Belonging Institute, facilitating discussions on inclusive democracy.🗓️ EventsPeaceCon 2023 – An annual conference hosted by the Alliance for Peacebuilding, focusing on peacebuilding strategies and collaborations.National Week of Conversation 2023 – A series of events aimed at fostering dialogue and bridging divides in society.🏢 OrganizationsThe Horizons Project – An initiative led by Julia Roig that aims to weave together efforts for a just, inclusive, and peaceful democracy.Alliance for Peacebuilding – A network of organizations working to build sustainable peace and security worldwide.Othering &amp; Belonging Institute – A research institute at UC Berkeley dedicated to advancing inclusion and belonging for all.Beyond Intractability – A knowledge base and community focused on addressing complex and intractable conflicts📚 PublicationNarrative Engagement Across Difference (NEAD) Project – A research initiative exploring how narrative practices can foster collaboration across divides.Collaborating Across Differences to Reduce Authoritarianism – A report detailing strategies for collaboration to counter authoritarianism.Making Peace Visible Podcast – A podcast featuring discussions on peacebuilding, including an interview with Julia Roig.PlayFull Podcast Episode with Julia Roig – An episode where Julia Roig discusses the importance of play in social change.Acknowledgements:Classical Loop Guitar 4 Chords by ValentinSosnitskiy -- https://freesound.org/s/568315/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Stardust, Minimalist Piano Background Music That Evokes Emotion by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/546087/ -- License: Attribution 4.078 PULSE: A Dark and Ominous Soundscape for Mysteries and Suspense by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/541944/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Cuckoo Clock, Breaking Down, A.wav by InspectorJ -- https://freesound.org/s/413410/ -- License: Attribution 4.0