How the Sex Workers’ Movement in South Africa changed the conversation

Background In 2015, Ishtar Lakhani met the Center for Artistic Activism for the first time. The Open Society Foundation (OSF) had brought the  Center to Cape Town, to organize a five-day workshop for organizations involved with the Sex Worker Movement in South Africa. At that time, Ishtar was working as an Advocacy Manager at the …

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

To introduce some of the theories, methods and principles of artistic activism to new audiences we recorded Creative Resistance Podcast Mini-Series covering the basics of Artistic Activism,  Audience, Tactics & Strategies, Context and, of course, Success & Failure. Explore the basics, or expand your knowledge, of what artistic activism is all about with the first …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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’ …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Video: Unstoppable Voters Take on the Midterms Info and Q&A Session

Watch our info session about Unstoppable Voters Take on the Midterms, and apply by July 7 Learn all about Unstoppable Voters Take on the Midterms In our Info and Q&A session, we got into the details about the Unstoppable Voters Fellowship and Action Accelerator, the funding, training, mentorship, and community involved, and how to apply …