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.
Category Archives: Research Notebook
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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Impact Study Methodology
Our methodology combined quantitative and qualitative research to assess the Center for Artistic Activism’s impact. It included data collection from workshops, surveys, interviews, and evaluations. Responses were analyzed for recurring themes, which were grouped into eight categories, revealing how C4AA’s training influences strategy, creativity, community engagement, and advocacy outcomes worldwide.
Study: 15 Years of Impact
We wanted to understand what effect we’ve had in our decade and a half of existence, so we commissioned this self-study of our impact. The project seeks to understand the Center’s impact on people and communities at multiple levels.
Transformative Impact Framework
By analyzing data from surveys, interviews, feedback, and statements from 15 years of Center for Artistic Activism alumni, key impact themes emerged. Initially identifying 30 themes, we condensed them into eight categories.
Journal Rappé (Senegal)
Through the training, Journal Rappe integrated structured processes and strategic planning into its creative work. This clarity improved project execution and enhanced the team’s ability to communicate strategies effectively with both internal collaborators and external stakeholders.
SWEAT (South Africa)
The Center provided SWEAT with the tools to bridge theory and practice, enhancing both their internal team and broader movements by making their activism more strategic, effective, and creatively impactful.
Fair Count (USA)
The training by the Center transformed Jeanine Abrams McLean’s, approach to civic engagement. She learned to integrate joy with creativity and strategic objectives, moving beyond enthusiastic efforts to structured, impactful projects.
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign (USA)
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign described working with The Center for Artistic Activism as a game-changer. When they first got involved in 2021, The Center helped them create a redistricting Loteria game to engage the community on crucial local issues.
Ewura Adams (Ghana)
Ewura Adams Karim, a theater for development professional and social behavioral change expert in Ghana, first engaged with the Center for Artistic Activism in 2019 at the Art Action Academy in Senegal. The training, centered on anti-corruption and non-traditional approaches, profoundly influenced his work, sparking creative strategies for social impact. “The training was phenomenal. It …
Free the Vaccine (Global)
Free the Vaccine used creative tactics like books, songs, performances, and art to innovate online activism. With in-person protests limited, the Center helped activists rethink organizing, introducing fresh, disruptive ideas.
Transgender Europe (The Balkans)
Innovative approaches in the Western Balkans redefined support for trans and intersex communities, addressing healthcare challenges. The impact was evident in the Trans Day of Remembrance, shifting from mourning to celebrating resilience and solidarity.
Democrasexy (USA)
Becky Bullard credits C4AA with building her confidence to embrace unconventional methods, showing that bold experimentation can lead to significant impact.
Roshani Thakore (USA)
The Center’s training enabled Rohani’s team to move beyond “problem-solving” into a more reflective and audience-focused practice, fostering meaningful engagement.
University of Corrupted Sciences (Albania)
The Center’s training equipped activists from the Balkans with innovative strategies to make activism more impactful, emphasizing audience engagement and interaction.
Timeline: 15 years of the Center
View highlights from our first 15 years.
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. 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 on how this …
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 …
How Pop Culture Can Help Activists
Pop culture has a lot to teach us about successful creative campaigns. Reality dating shows, tabloid magazines, telenovelas, Bollywood movies, football matches, K-pop songs, video games, and that commercial you can’t get out of your head can all help you generate effective campaign ideas. Are we encouraging you to watch reality TV shows instead of …
How South African Sex Workers changed the conversation
Discover how one organization harnessed the power of artistic activism to revolutionize the sex worker movement in South Africa. From fake political campaigns to skeleton bureaucrats, learn how artistic activism can effect policy, shift narratives, and inspire change. Dive into the story of how SWEAT’s collaboration with the Center for Artistic Activism led to groundbreaking …
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