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Artwork for ART IS CHANGE: Strategies & Skills for Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers

ART IS CHANGE: Strategies & Skills for Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers

Bill Cleveland
Animating Democracy
Social Justice
Bighart
Conflict Transformation
Environmental Justice
Social Change
Community Development
Community Engagement
Chicano Art
Arts-Animated Democracy
Alternate Roots
Creative Expression
Peacebuilding
Arts
Community Healing
Dr. Subhasis Banerji
Civil Rights
Democracy
Jewish and Palestinian Communities
Youth Mental Health

Can your art help dismantle injustice, shift systems, or spark healing in places like homeless shelters, emergency rooms, or city planning meetings? If you’re passionate about making a real difference through creativity, ART IS CHANGE (formerly known as Change the Story / Change the World) is your front-row seat to the real-world impact of art and social change. Hosted by author, musician, and res... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes157Founded5 years ago
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Society & CultureArts

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Artwork for ART IS CHANGE: Strategies & Skills for Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers

Latest Episodes

Why does sustainability matter in activist art? When funding cycles are short, residencies are brief, and institutions often treat creative work as temporary or expendable, what does it mean to commit to change that lasts?

In this episode of Art Is ... more

This episode digs into one of the trickiest—and most revealing—corners of community-based arts work: the way humility and failure shape everything we do, from a 12-line role in Richard II to a city-wide public-art firestorm.

Leni Sloan, Barbara Shaf... more

Budgets frozen. Institutions wobbling. Political earthquakes everywhere. In the middle of all that, many artists and cultural workers are stepping straight into the messy moral world of community change.

This episode is the fourth in our special ser... more

Robert Farid Karimi

The "inbetween" is often ignored. It is also the juicy territory that this week’s guest, comedian, chef, poet, educator, and activist Robert Farid Karimi has been investigating over the last couple of decades. like many of our gu... more

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Recent Guests

Robert Farid Karimi
Comedian, chef, poet, educator, and activist known as Mero Cocinero
Episode: 153: How Robert Farid Karimi Uses COMEDY & FOOD as a Powerful Strategy for Social Change
Liz Sunde
Founder of Music to Life and activist artist
Music to Life
Episode: 145: Liz Sunde Brings Music To Life: Activist Artists Making Music, Making Change, & Thriving
Bill McKibben
One of the grandfathers of the environmental movement, author of Here Comes the Sun
Episode: 144: Solar Story Circle: How Narrative Powers Democracy & Social Change
Frank Quiros
A participant of the Designing Creative Futures program who shares his experiences and growth through art and woodworking.
Episode: 143: Alma & Frank: Designing Creative Futures One Story at a Time
Alma Robinson
An advocate from California Lawyers for the Arts involved in the Designing Creative Futures initiative.
California Lawyers for the Arts
Episode: 143: Alma & Frank: Designing Creative Futures One Story at a Time
Samuel Redman
History professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: 141: Art and Resistance: Smithsonian, FREE DC, LA, and Beyond
Justin Yadi Yad Johnson
Part of Long Live GoGo, which uses GoGo music for community uplift
Long Live GoGo
Episode: 141: Art and Resistance: Smithsonian, FREE DC, LA, and Beyond
Nadya Tolokonnikova
Artist from Pussy Riot known for her performance art addressing police and state violence
Pussy Riot
Episode: 141: Art and Resistance: Smithsonian, FREE DC, LA, and Beyond
A contributor from Fox to Detroit
Made an appearance discussing the opera 'The Central Park Five'
Fox
Episode: 141: Art and Resistance: Smithsonian, FREE DC, LA, and Beyond

Host

Bill Cleveland
Author, musician, and researcher specializing in arts and social change, known for facilitating conversations around cultural activism.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • A resounding yes!

    When I was in my 20s I used to read this magazine called Yes! as an antidote to all the bad news that was “The News. “ Art is Change is another antidote in a time it’s especially needed…full of inspiration, hope, courage and pragmatism!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sofia114
    United States6 months ago
  • Art is Change!

    This podcast is inspiring and useful. A rare and great combo.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LoomerPas
    United States6 months ago
  • What a gem, what a resource!

    Wholehearted thank you to Mr. Cleveland for this archive of transformative practices.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qqqqqqqzzzzzzzzeee
    United States8 months ago
  • These are conversations that connect human creativity to community building, healing, and change. So many different takes on that proposition. So much to learn. And really entertaining too.

    Podchaser
    5
    wtc756110724
    3 years ago
  • If you are interested in exploring how art and culture can contribute to a healthy, just, sustainable future then this is the show for you. What an incredibly diverse group of creative activists and change agents!

    Podchaser
    5
    wtc7561
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners find the show to be an inspiring source of hope and practical insights in times of social change.
Feedback often highlights the transformative nature of the narratives shared by guests, resonating with people's aspirations for social justice.
Many appreciate the focus on real-world impacts of art and the importance of community involvement.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

151: Should Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers be Running for Office - Tom Tresser Says, "ABSOLUTELY!"
Q: What do you think are the unique qualities that a creative community can bring to the civic community?
Creative individuals have the ability to approach problems differently, envisioning solutions where conventional methods have failed.
151: Should Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers be Running for Office - Tom Tresser Says, "ABSOLUTELY!"
Q: So could you talk about that? I mean, how in the world did an arts advocate, cultural organizer, become involved in the Olympics?
An arts advocate got involved when Mayor Daley tried to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, prompting a grassroots campaign against it.
151: Should Activist Artists & Cultural Organizers be Running for Office - Tom Tresser Says, "ABSOLUTELY!"
Q: So Tom, what does trying it again mean in 2025?
It's called the 100K Project, where a group of people across the country are trying to engage their peers to consider running for office.
147: Emma Addams: Can a Quilt Change how Congress Listens— & How you Practice Democracy at Home?
Q: How do we practice and get good at democracy?
We should focus on our local community and foster connections rather than just looking to federal politics.
147: Emma Addams: Can a Quilt Change how Congress Listens— & How you Practice Democracy at Home?
Q: How would you describe your work in the world?
The primary purpose of the work I'm doing right now with MWEG is to empower women through pro-democracy advocacy and community building.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A compelling series focused on the intersection of art and social change, featuring stories from activist artists and cultural organizers committed to making a difference in their communities. The content showcases the transformative power of creativity in addressing social injustices, mental health, and community resilience. Significant themes include the utilization of art in environments such as homeless shelters and emergency rooms, highlighting how creative initiatives can challenge systemic barriers and foster healing. Listeners will find valuable insights into the strategies and partnerships necessary for effective cultural activism and community engagement.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Bulwark Podcast
2. The Daily
3. TED Radio Hour

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 157 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Robert Farid Karimi
2. Liz Sunde
3. Bill McKibben
4. Frank Quiros
5. Alma Robinson
6. Samuel Redman
7. Justin Yadi Yad Johnson
8. Nadya Tolokonnikova

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