A recap of our June 15 workshop with narrative strategist Janelle Treibitz and the 10 Steps Campaign’s Robert Sills — on the narrative formula behind authoritarianism, and the creative actions that break it. Recording inside.
Author Archives: Steve Lambert
Defeating Authoritarianism with Stacey Abrams
A free participatory online workshop with Stacey Abrams, Steve Lambert, and Janelle Treibitz on disrupting the logic of authoritarianism and building a better way forward. June 15, 2026 at 4 PM ET.
Case Studies: 6 Ways Progressive Movements Are Using Values-Aligned AI
What this technology looks like when it’s built by creative people who are actually in the fight. 1. DebunkBot One great example is Debunkbot, an AI tool that has the conversation you’ve been dreading with your uncle at Thanksgiving. The one about whatever conspiracy theory he’s onto now and all the details, unhinged arguments, gish-galloping – …
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6 Thoughts About AI + a workshop
Ok fine. Let’s talk about AI. BUT FIRST, we have a free online workshop you can join where participants will get to use a new AI-based tool we’ve developed. Make the Dream Real with a Strong ObjectiveIn unstable times, clear goals and specific, detailed outcomes give us a sense of direction and purpose where creativity can take …
Batman at City Council
It was a typical Council meeting until Batman showed up. Have you seen this Batman City Council video? It’s great. Recently Batman stood up at a Santa Clara City Council meeting and demanded action. The Super Bowl was being held in Santa Clara and Batman was obviously concerned about the other masked vigilantes in town: …
Futures are Weird and Unknowable
Hi, it’s Steve (co-founder of the Center for Artistic Activism) and I’m here to validate you: yup, things are weird. It’s been an unusual month here in the U.S; wild court rulings, the sudden uncertainty around Joe Biden’s candidacy, and someone tried to assassinate Donald Trump. Stability comes from feeling we can somewhat anticipate the …
The Powers of Art
Art is powerful. And social scientists can tell us why. A couple years ago, Center for Artistic Activism Executive Director Rebecca Bray started to research what social scientists tell us about the powers of art. She dug into the literature looking at the role art and creativity play in our world. Rebecca wanted to put …
War is the ultimate failure of imagination
War is the ultimate failure of imagination. We must imagine better solutions and work toward them. Fortunately there’s already a homegrown left vision in Israel-Palestine, that’s supported by a large and increasing number of Arabs and Jews. It’s utopian but also deeply pragmatic. Join us and imagine a way forward for Palestine-Israel Tuesday | February …
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How Creative Hoaxes and Pranks Can Inspire Your Next Artistic Activism Campaign
Inspiration can come from unexpected sources. In the spirit of April Fool’s Day, here’s a few hoaxes, pranks, and stunts that have inspired me, and might inspire an element of your next successful artistic action. Steve Lambert Czech Dream How two filmmakers pulled off a massive ad campaign for a superstore that turned out to …
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Tips for Collaborating with Organizations
PREAMBLE On Friday June 24, 2022 the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Along with the shock, grief, dread, and anger we’re feeling, many people are wondering what they can do in this moment. We don’t have a silver bullet that can solve this. If we did, we’d all be doing it. However, …
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The Art of Activism Learning Lab
This Spring you can join a Center for Artistic Activism workshop – a place where powerful methods are shared, ideas bloom, and old friendships begin. We’re now offering remote training supported by our tried-and-tested lessons, global team of some of the top practitioners in the world, and the Art of Activism book and workbook. The …
BREAKING NEWS: Another Victory!
New York City is now the first in the United States to authorize safe injection sites! Learn about the Center for Artistic Activism efforts on this issue… This is a big win for anyone who cares about protecting and helping the most vulnerable populations. Why are safe injection sites critical? Evidence shows that safe consumption …
Art of Activism Book Event in DC
Join us in Washington DC to discuss The Art of Activism: Your All Purpose Guide to making the Impossible Possible On Saturday, December 4th We Act Radio’s literacy campaign and The Charnice Milton Community Bookstore are hosting the co-authors of The Art of Activism: Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible. We’ll celebrate the …
Creative vs. Conventional Activism – Published in Social Movement Studies Journal
The Center for Artistic Activism’s Stephen Duncombe and Silas Harrebye’s evidence-based, empirical study demonstrates the effectiveness of creative activism.
Song Power for the People
Our government should work for us, but the filibuster isn’t working. The Senate’s filibuster is a loophole to grab power and doom legislation the majority of Americans want. Senators need to know we’re holding them accountable to eliminate the filibuster and pass laws that protect our lives and freedoms–especially our freedom to vote. How will …
Public Comment as Performance
Government meetings can become a key performance venue with some clever planning. The bar is already set so low that one can easily say their peace and do it with panache! Get inspired by these fun examples… There are situations where open public comment, response, or testimony is invited; shareholder meetings, city council, Q&As, and …
White Coat Rebels World Premiere
White Coat Rebels will be premiering at the AFI Docs Film Festival this Thursday, June 24 and the movie features part of the Free the Vaccine for COVID-19 campaign. There will be a virtual screening (with a 48 hour viewing period) and a conversation with the filmmakers and subject Neda Ashtari. The film follows a committed group …
Intercept: The Vaccine Divide
“Why should the knowledge that is required to end the pandemic be kept secret?” There is a better way, and this report exposes how pharmaceutical corporations are acting as barriers, not saviors. This short report from the Intercept sums up why we at Universities Allied for Essential Medicines and the Center for Artistic Activism have …
Alumni Anne Basting TED Talk
Anne Basting is a Center for Artistic Activism alumni, MacArthur fellow, and TED Speaker who has brought insights from her theater practice into elder care settings. Her work shows the power of artistic thinking and processes to improve people’s lives, as well as change policy and paradigms. Anne Basting at TED By incorporating art and …
May 5: DC Rally for a People’s Vaccine
Haga clic aquí para leer este mensaje en español. A global pandemic requires a global solution. Yet we’re allowing pharmaceutical corporations to profit off the pandemic and public research. Their monopolies prevent generic producers, and limit production and access to these life saving medications for our neighbors in other parts of the world. These policies …