At the Center for Artistic Activism we help people use their creativity and culture to effect power.
The Center for Artistic Activism is a small (but scrappy) 501c3 non-profit organization. We have worked in 23 countries on 6 continents since 2009.
We believe creativity is critical in making a just world.
Imagination powers change, and changes power. Creativity, culture, and the arts are powerful forces, but time is running out. Artists, activists, and organizations must deploy creativity with precision, skill, and expertise. We don’t just need artistic activism. We need artistic activism that works.
Why Artistic Activism?
The Powers of Art
Smithsonian Anacostia Exhibit
We work alongside artists, activists, organizations, and everyone in between.
Our methods provide the structure to leverage the powers of art toward meaningful outcomes. We share them through our workshops, communities you can join, in books, and online. Whether you’re an individual artist, a die-hard activist, the leader of a national organization, or just someone looking to make the world a little bit better, we want you to have ideas and tools that work.
Resources
The Art of Activism book
For Individuals
For Organizations
Because all successful activism has been artistic activism
Movements that win can envision utopic futures and find innovative ways to turn dreams into reality. We study past movements, engage with present-day campaigns, and run experiments to find what works. Then we freely share what we learn. Because our goal is to help you be more imaginative, innovative, and most importantly: impactful.
Research Initiatives
Case Study: The Civil Rights Movement
Open Office Hours
We join fights for democracy, public health, human rights, and more.
We are the Center for Artistic Activism. Let’s see what we can change, together.
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Recent News
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15 Years of Impact
The Center for Artistic Activism was founded with a bold vision: combining the powers of art with the impact of activism to create meaningful change. Over the years, the Center’s team developed a unique methodology designed to help advocates harness creativity and culture to amplify their impact. Now, 15 years later, the Center is reflecting…
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Our Observer Phase
What we’re reading, watching, listening to, and thinking about at the Center for Artistic Activism in the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. Election In our workshops, we teach our view of the Creative Process. It’s four phases that we’re constantly running through in a cycle: In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. election, we are…
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We’re ready for the work ahead
It wouldn’t hurt this badly if we didn’t care this much. Remember that we are worth fighting for. We’re the ones we’ve been waiting for. It’s never going to be a candidate or an elected official. It’s always going to be us. Standing with and for each other. Despair is the ultimate tool of authoritarianism.…
Featured Programs and Resources
Our Unstoppable Voters program supports organizations and individuals that protect the freedom to vote in the US with creativity and innovation.
Our book The Art of Activism: Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible includes lessons and insights from two decades of our work.
Looking for tutorials, podcasts, videos, or case studies? Check out our resources!
We are developing an International Artistic Activism Research Colab across the world, with researchers from seven countries.
Those dedicated to democracy, justice, and human rights deserve the best training and resources. Unfortunately, ideas that win don’t always reach those needing them most because of geography, finances, and other barriers. The Center for Artistic Activism is dedicated to making valuable information accessible to all through our practical approach and open distribution.
Your contribution helps us to reach those who need it most. Thank you!
