L.M. Bogad

Innovation, surprise… when you surprise someone, you’re earning a moment because you’re opening up a space. The surprise can open up a temporal, experiential space where anything can come in.  There’s opening up a political space, opening up a physical space.   Events, protest events, tend to either occupy space or open space.  There are …

Houston SCA Participants Announced

Tarsha Jackson Tarsha began organizing around prison reform in 2003 when her 11-year-old, mentally ill son was sentenced and served over three years in the Texas Youth Commission for a class C misdemeanor. In her work as an organizer with Grassroots Leadership Texas Reconciliation Project, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, and the Houston chapter of …

Dream: Re-Imagining Progressive Politics in an Age of Fantasy – free PDF

 Dream: Re-Imagining Progressive Politics in an Age of Fantasy by CAA co-director Stephen Duncombe is now a  free pdf. Part analysis of popular culture, part how-to guide to creative activism, Stephen make a case for how activists can, and must use fantasy and spectacle in their work…and do it ethically.

Indie Comix 4 All

A New York Comic Con Special Event Sponsored by the Center for Artistic Activism Hosted by School for Creative Activism graduates Terry Marshall and John Kim (aka Chong Kim) of Occupy Comix Presented by Bluestockings on Saturday, October 13th at 7pm Featuring: David Lloyd, Co-Creator of V for Vendetta and founder of ACES WEEKLY Seth …

Stephen Duncombe @ Creative Activism Thursdays

From our friends at the YesLabs@Hemispheric Institute: Creative Activism Thursdays Presents Stephen Duncombe, October 11th, 2012 at 7PM RSVP Join us for an overview of (mainly) US activism: American Revolution, Labor Movement, Civil Rights, Black Power, Feminism, ACT-UP and Occupy, seen through the lens of creative activism, using each historical moment to teach take-away lessons …

smArtAction: A estudiar y a luchar!

On November 6th, Stephen Duncombe will present a special program as part of smArtAction, a student-led art exhibition presented at El Puente and Hostos Community College featuring various art forms and creative interpretations relating to the University of Puerto Rico student movement of 2010 and 2011.  Details included below. The smArtAction exhibition will be hosted …

West-Coast Director Larry Bogad to Present at UC Berkeley TONIGHT!

Larry Bogad, CAA’s West Coast Founding Director, will lead a panel discussion at UC Berkeley tonight entitled “Tactical Performance: Symbolic Sabotage and Satirical Surprise”.  This presentation will examine recent attempts by creative activists to use theatrical techniques to enhance the impact of social movement interventions – in public squares, corporate meetings, military recruiting centers, commercial …

Love, Liberty & Protest: Souvenir Vendors Sell Stop & Frisk T-shirts

New project from the Center for Tactical Magic Friend of the Center for Artistic Activism, Aaron Gach, has a new project in partnership with some great organizations. You can read more about Aaron in our Artist Interview section. Stop & Frisk T-Shirts Sold on New York Streets Souvenir vendors along Battery Park and beyond are …

SCA Boston Attendees Announced

Michael Young “Michael coordinates the Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative (TFOC), a network of 28 grassroots organizations in 24 states that are working to increase the fairness and adequacy of the state and federal tax systems.  Prior to joining UFE, he organized for safe, secure and affordable mortgage products for low-to-moderate income residents in Massachusetts, and …

ExtraEnvironmentalist Interview with CAA’s Steve Lambert

The ExtraEnvironmentalist podcast recently did an interview with the Center for Artistic Activism’s Steve Lambert. With an educational system that trains artists to develop their talents into commercial skills, our culture is missing out on the ability for art to disrupt normalcy. Why should we hope for systemic reform when the vast majority of water …

CAA Awarded Grant to Publish Book

For Immediate Release Contact: directors at artisticactivism-dot-org CENTER FOR ARTISTIC ACTIVISM AWARDED GRANT TO PUBLISH CREATIVE ACTIVIST MANUAL A Blade of Grass to Support CAA’s First Book Project A Blade of Grass, a New York-based non-profit which supports interdisciplinary arts programming designed to engage communities, recently awarded the Center for Creative Activism a grant to …

“Look at him; no ribbons, no lace!” Cyrano teaches us old lessons

I don’t think I understood how valuable this was in freshman year English class. What a strength to have such confidence, and be able to insult yourself better than anyone else. To know that what others perceive as our weaknesses are actually strengths. Our value isn’t worn outside, but in our hearts and our actions. …

“Living in Limbo” brings LGBT issues to the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama

Living in Limbo: A contemporary photography exhibit that honors the complexities of lesbian family life by revealing authentic moments. Unfortunately the movement for LGBT rights doesn’t shift at the same pace around the country. Certain regions make strides forward – passing gay rights and marriage equality legislation – while others seem to be moving slowly …