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.
In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of people—many new to activism and public health advocacy—gathered weekly online to pressure governments, scientists, and officials to make COVID-19 vaccines free and accessible worldwide. The Center for Artistic Activism stepped in with the organizing, funding, strategy, and creativity needed to launch this global effort, bringing together over 500 people from 29 countries to collaborate.
Participants learned about health inequities, how to influence global power structures, and how to build impactful campaigns.
They deployed creative tactics, from children’s books, trading cards, songs, and performances to giant inflatable syringes and art exhibits. With in-person protests off the table, the Center helped activists get creative with online organizing, bringing in fresh ideas that shook up the usual ways of doing things.
This global effort, spanning time zones and disciplines, fostered lasting skills and inspired many participants to continue advocacy work in public health and beyond.
“You don’t want to do the same thing over and over again. I think the Center provides the intangible of giving you permission to do something that doesn’t look like the things that came before. The go-to doesn’t have to be protest in a traditional-looking form. There are many ways to reach the goals that you set yourselves, you know? And I do think it changes the frame, just the way you see things.”
— Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients for Affordable Drugs, USA
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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.