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 …
Category Archives: Research Blog
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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The Center Recommends: Art Works
💘 This week, the Center recommends “Art Works: How Organizers and Artists are Creating a Better World Together” (2023) by Ken Grossinger. According to our own Steve Duncombe, “focusing on stories of artists and organizers collaborating over a wide range of movements, in Art Works Ken Grossinger establishes the key principle for success when using …
Pop Culture Field Trips (Part 1 + 2)
Hi there, My name is Serena, and I’ve been working with the Communications Team here at the Center this summer. I have a confession: I grew up without television. Wait what?! This may seem like a strange way to introduce myself, (especially for someone halfway through the last year of a media studies degree!) but …
Creative Resistance Series
Our introductory podcast mini-series. The Creative Resistance Podcast Mini-Series introduces some of the theories, methods and principles of artistic activism to new audiences. You will learn about:
Get inspired with rats
Learn about Julius Hobson’s amazing 1960s artistic activism campaign As my home city of New York has appointed a rat czar and recently held its first Anti-Rat Day of Action to try to get our rat problem under control, I’m reminded of Julius Hobson and how he took on a rat problem in Washington, DC, …
Have you Mapped your Creative Process?
We really love this simple illustration of the creative process we use in our creative advocacy trainings at the Center for Artistic Activism.
FAN Activism: Pop Culture + Civic Engagement
Imagine if all the fervor and passion that people have felt for Harry Potter, Bollywood stars, or Marvel movies were applied to activism. This week, we’re sharing our latest Revolutionizing Activism conversations, this time with fan culture experts who have fantastic insights into lessons we can use for social change. Read on for our favorite …
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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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Video: What Works in Voting Activism
Hear from five of the most innovative, impactful voting champions And learn how to revolutionize your own voting work! On February 9, we held a special event featuring Jeanine Abrams McLean and Aileen Loy of Fair Count, Abdul Dosunmu of the Young Black Lawyers’ Organizing Coalition, and Becky Bullard and Andrew Dinwiddie of Democrasexy. Check …
Unstoppable Voters: Pittsburgh DSA
Pittsburgh DSA created an Unstoppable Voters Project – a series of Center for Artistic Activism supported works that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. Pittsburgh DSA Pittsburgh DSA volunteers mobilized two months of deep canvassing, to hear neighbors’ stories of housing insecurity and help them register to vote and make voting plans. …
Unstoppable Voters: MUNA and HeadCount on Tour!
The Ally Coalitions’s MUNA and HeadCount on Tour! is an Unstoppable Voters Project – a series of Center for Artistic Activism supported works that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. MUNA and HeadCount on Tour! Founded in 2013 by Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and fashion designer Rachel Antonoff, The Ally Coalition (TAC) is …
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Unstoppable Voters: Spin the Vote
#ArtistsWhoVote’s Spin the Vote is an Unstoppable Voters Project – a series of Center for Artistic Activism supported works that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. Spin the Vote The collective #ArtistsWhoVote activated a variety of locations in and around Arizona State University in October and November 2022. Through a series of …
Unstoppable Voters: Black Ballots, Black Futures
YBLOC’s Black Ballots, Black Futures 2022 is an Unstoppable Voters Project – a series of Center for Artistic Activism supported works that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. Written by Abdul Dosunmu, Founder & Chief Strategist of YBLOC Black Ballots, Black Futures 2022 In the 2022 midterm election, the Young Black Lawyers’ …
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Unstoppable Voters: Salsa to the Polls
Alianza Center’s Salsa to the Polls is an Unstoppable Voters Project – a series of Center for Artistic Activism supported works that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. Salsa to the Polls Alianza Center serves Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities in Greater Orlando and throughout the state of Florida. Its core services …
Unstoppable Voters: Personal Voter Concierge Service
Vote With Us’s Personal Voter Concierge Service – where friends help friends vote early (& dance!) is an Unstoppable Voters Project – a series of Center for Artistic Activism supported works that protect the freedom to vote with creativity and innovation. Personal Voter Concierge Service – where friends help friends vote early (& dance!) Vote …
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The Activist Angler
Great news! — Center for Artistic Activism Co-founder Stephen Duncombe‘s new book “The Activist Angler” is out. Check OR/Books website to learn more and get a copy! So what is the book about? Elegantly written and charmingly illustrated, The Activist Angler shows how lessons learned from angling can guide political activism and vice versa. Patience, preparation and …
Video — Revolutionizing Activism: Feasts
How can food be utilized to make an impactful critique, bring people together, and creatively navigate uncomfortable and sensitive discussions? Watch Dawn Weleski and Jon Rubin (Conflict Kitchen) in conversation with Tunde Wey (From Lagos) as they marinate on food as the message and the medium.
Towards an International Research Co-Lab on Artistic Activism
Last week we held a second meeting to give shape to what we are calling an international research collaboratory (co-lab) on artistic activism. This is an initiative bringing together researchers from the Aoteroa/New Zealand, China, Denmark, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Our collective objective is to generate a …
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