At the Center for Artistic Activism we help people use their creativity and culture to effect power.
The Center for Artistic Activism is a small (but scrappy) 501c3 non-profit organization. We have worked in 23 countries on 6 continents since 2009.
We believe creativity is critical in making a just world.
Imagination powers change, and changes power. Creativity, culture, and the arts are powerful forces, but time is running out. Artists, activists, and organizations must deploy creativity with precision, skill, and expertise. We don’t just need artistic activism. We need artistic activism that works.
Why Artistic Activism?
The Powers of Art
Smithsonian Anacostia Exhibit
We work alongside artists, activists, organizations, and everyone in between.
Our methods provide the structure to leverage the powers of art toward meaningful outcomes. We share them through our workshops, communities you can join, in books, and online. Whether you’re an individual artist, a die-hard activist, the leader of a national organization, or just someone looking to make the world a little bit better, we want you to have ideas and tools that work.
Resources
The Art of Activism book
For Individuals
For Organizations
Because all successful activism has been artistic activism
Movements that win can envision utopic futures and find innovative ways to turn dreams into reality. We study past movements, engage with present-day campaigns, and run experiments to find what works. Then we freely share what we learn. Because our goal is to help you be more imaginative, innovative, and most importantly: impactful.
Research Initiatives
Case Study: The Civil Rights Movement
Open Office Hours
We join fights for democracy, public health, human rights, and more.
Unstoppable Voters
Opioid Justice Campaign
Regional Creative Hubs
Sex Work Decrimalization in South Africa
We are the Center for Artistic Activism.
Let’s see what we can change, together.
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Recent News
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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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6 Thoughts About AI + a workshop
Ok fine. Let’s talk about AI. BUT FIRST, we have a free online workshop you can join where participants will get to use a new AI-based tool we’ve developed. Make the Dream Real with a Strong ObjectiveIn unstable times, clear goals and specific, detailed outcomes give us a sense of direction and purpose where creativity can take
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Creativity is Alive and Well
Recapping our “Finding Creativity When the Work Feels Heavy” Event On February 25, we dove into one of the most valuable but overlooked tools in social justice work: creativity. Alexia Kemerling of the American Association of People with Disabilities and Alexandra Leal Silva of Maremoto joined us to talk about imagination as a strategic resource
Featured Programs and Resources
Our Unstoppable Voters program supports organizations and individuals that protect the freedom to vote in the US with creativity and innovation.
Our book The Art of Activism: Your All-Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible includes lessons and insights from two decades of our work.
Tutorials, podcasts, videos, lessons, and case studies! Check out our resources!
15 Years of Impact – a comprehensive research project, analyzing the work of the Center.
Those dedicated to democracy, justice, and human rights deserve the best training and resources. Unfortunately, ideas that win don’t always reach those needing them most because of geography, finances, and other barriers. The Center for Artistic Activism is dedicated to making valuable information accessible to all through our practical approach and open distribution.
Your contribution helps us to reach those who need it most. Thank you!
