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

Bill Cleveland
  • 4.8 (18)
  • Arts
  • Updated Semiweekly

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 researcher Bill Cleveland, each episode brings you deep into the lives and work of activist artists and cultural organizers who are doing more than dreaming—they’re transforming communities around the world. You’ll discover: • Proven strategies for thriving as an artist for change in complex, real-world settings • How to build meaningful, lasting partnerships that support your mission and your art • Lessons from global leaders creating cultural blueprints for justice, empathy, and resilience ▶️ Start with fan-favorite Episodes 86 and 87: Lessons From an Art and Change Pioneer—a double-dose of inspiration and practical insight.- https://change-the-story-chan.captivate.fm/episode/bighart-bigstory-redux/

  1. 181: Cynthia Cohen - Acting together on the World Stage

    6d ago

    181: Cynthia Cohen - Acting together on the World Stage

    How do artists help communities survive violence, heal trauma, and imagine a future beyond conflict?In this episode of Art Is Change, Bill Cleveland speaks with activist, educator, filmmaker, writer, and peacebuilding scholar Cynthia Cohen about a lifetime spent exploring the relationship between creativity, storytelling, conflict, and democratic life. Drawing on experiences ranging from Jewish-Palestinian dialogue projects in Boston to peacebuilding initiatives in Peru, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Northern Ireland, and beyond, Cynthia reflects on the role artists play in helping communities navigate violence, hold competing truths, and create the conditions for healing and transformation. In this episode you’ll discover:• Why listening may be the most important creative and civic skill of all — and how deep listening can help people move beyond fear, polarization, and inherited narratives. • How artists and cultural workers contribute to peacebuilding — by creating spaces where difficult stories can be shared, contradictions can be held, and communities can imagine alternatives to violence. • Why arts and culture matter in the struggle against authoritarianism — and how creativity, empathy, and conflict transformation can strengthen democratic life during times of upheaval. PEOPLEHow do artists help communities survive violence, heal trauma, and imagine a future beyond conflict?In this episode of Art Is Change, Bill Cleveland speaks with activist, educator, filmmaker, writer, and peacebuilding scholar Cynthia Cohen about a lifetime spent exploring the relationship between creativity, storytelling, conflict, and democratic life. Drawing on experiences ranging from Jewish-Palestinian dialogue projects in Boston to peacebuilding initiatives in Peru, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Northern Ireland, and beyond, Cynthia reflects on the role artists play in helping communities navigate violence, hold competing truths, and create the conditions for healing and transformation. In this episode you’ll discover:Why listening may be the most important creative and civic skill of all — and how deep listening can help people move beyond fear, polarization, and inherited narratives.How artists and cultural workers contribute to peacebuilding — by creating spaces where difficult stories can be shared, contradictions can be held, and communities can imagine alternatives to violence.Why arts and culture matter in the struggle against authoritarianism — and how creativity, empathy, and conflict transformation can strengthen democratic life during times of upheaval. PEOPLECynthia Cohen — Peacebuilding scholar, educator, writer, and cultural worker whose research and field-building efforts have helped establish the international field of arts, culture, and conflict transformation. John O’Neal — Civil rights organizer, theater artist, and co-founder of the Free Southern Theater. O’Neal championed the role of arts and storytelling in advancing freedom, civic participation, and social justice. Dijana Milošević — Serbian theater director, peacebuilder, and founder of DAH Theatre, internationally recognized for using performance to confront war, nationalism, and social division. Roberta Levitow — Co-founder of Theatre Without Borders and a leading advocate for international theater collaboration, peacebuilding, and cultural exchange. John Paul Lederach — Influential peacebuilding theorist whose concepts of conflict transformation and “elicitive” practice have shaped reconciliation work worldwide. Jane Sapp — Musician, educator, and cultural worker whose community-based arts practice connects storytelling, history, civic engagement, and cultural memory. Ana Correa — Actor, activist, and longtime member of Grupo Cultural Yuyachkani whose work has focused on memory, human rights, and community healing in Peru. Ocean Vuong — Acclaimed poet and novelist whose work explores language, migration, identity, memory, and the dignity of lived experience. ORGANIZATIONSThe Charles F. Kettering Foundation — The Charles F. Kettering Foundation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, operating foundation with a mission to advance inclusive democracies worldwide by fostering citizen engagement, promoting government accountability, and countering authoritarianism. Democracy and the Arts — The Kettering Foundation’s focus area for integrating the power of the arts into democratic life locally, nationally, and globally. Theatre Without Borders — International network of theater artists and cultural workers committed to global collaboration, peacebuilding, and social change through performance. Grupo Cultural Yuyachkani — Peru’s renowned theater collective whose work combines indigenous traditions, political theater, ritual practice, and human rights advocacy. DAH Theatre — Belgrade-based theater company using artistic practice to confront violence, build dialogue, and foster civic engagement. Palestinian House of Friendship — Community-based organization in Nablus supporting young people through arts, education, cultural programs, recreation, and civic engagement. Free Southern Theater — Groundbreaking Civil Rights-era theater organization dedicated to bringing performance and cultural expression to underserved Black communities throughout the American South. ACTIVITIES & EVENTSActing Together on the World Stage — International research, documentation, and convening project exploring how artists and cultural workers contribute to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and conflict transformation. A Passion for Life: Palestinian and Jewish Women in Boston — Cynthia Cohen’s oral history and cultural exchange project bringing Palestinian and Jewish women together through storytelling, folk traditions, family histories, and artistic practice. Peru Truth and Reconciliation Commission — National truth commission established after Peru’s internal conflict. Grupo Cultural Yuyachkani collaborated alongside communities affected by violence and displacement. PUBLICATIONS & MEDIAActing Together: Performance and the Creative Transformation of Conflict (Volume 1) — Landmark collection documenting artists, cultural workers, and peacebuilders using performance to address conflict and social division around the world. Acting Together on the World Stage (Film) — Documentary film featuring artists working in regions affected by violence, oppression, and conflict, highlighting the role of performance in healing and transformation. a href="https://www.akeretfilms.com/someone-sang-for-me?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    48 min

  2. Jun 3

    180: Veteran Sean Martin Talks About War, Music, PTSD, & Social Change

    What happens when a soldier comes home from war and discovers that music can heal the wounds the doctors missed?In this episode, I sit down with musician, songwriter, veteran, and outspoken truth-teller Sean Martin. Sean’s journey takes us from the redwood coast of Northern California to the battlefields of Iraq, through the struggles of PTSD, and ultimately into a creative practice rooted in honesty, healing, and a band named the Quarintened. Along the way, Sean shares how music became more than an art form. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and years of songwriting, he discovered that creative practice could become a way of confronting fear, questioning assumptions, and reclaiming agency over his life. We also explore two of his songs, Skeleton Chair and Unspoken, conversations about war, trauma, truth-telling, James Baldwin, and the responsibilities artists have when they choose to speak about the difficult realities that many people would rather avoid. You’ll discover: • How music, cognitive behavioral therapy, and disciplined creative practice helped Sean navigate PTSD and reclaim a sense of agency after war. • Why confronting “the unspoken”—personally, culturally, and politically—lies at the heart of both healing and artistic practice. • How art can become a vehicle for critical thinking, helping people examine the invisible forces that shape their beliefs, fears, and relationships. Notable MentionsMusic & Creative Practice The Quarantined (Spotify Artist Page) — Sean Martin’s grunge, punk, and metal project. Through The Quarantined, Martin explores trauma, war, resilience, addiction, politics, and recovery through deeply personal songwriting.“Skeleton Chair” — The Quarantined on Spotify — A song inspired by Martin’s experiences in Iraq and the emotional aftermath of combat. During the interview, Martin describes the song as emerging from therapy work focused on a specific combat experience and the psychological realities of war.“Unspoken” — The Quarantined on Spotify — A song exploring truth-telling, civic responsibility, and the consequences of silence. The recording incorporates the voice and ideas of James Baldwin and reflects on what happens when difficult truths remain unspoken.The Quarantined on Bandcamp — Direct support platform where listeners can purchase music and follow future releases. Ideas & Practices Discussed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — Martin describes CBT as a turning point in understanding the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses to trauma.Exposure Therapy — A therapeutic approach that helped Martin confront traumatic memories and transform them into creative material.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — A central topic throughout the conversation, explored not only as a diagnosis but as a lived experience that shaped Martin’s understanding of fear, identity, and recovery. People MentionedJames Baldwin — Baldwin’s words and ideas provide both inspiration and a direct artistic influence on Martin’s song Unspoken. His reflections on truth, identity, and democracy remain highly relevant today.The Baldwin EstateChristopher Goldsmith — Mentioned by Martin as an example of veterans doing difficult work confronting extremism and defending democratic values.Task Force ButlerRichard Ojeda — Cited as an example of a veteran leader bringing a direct, no-nonsense approach to public service and democratic engagement.Richard Ojeda Official Website Related ResourcesNational Center for PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) — Research, educational materials, and treatment resources related to PTSD and trauma recovery.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Overview (American Psychological Association) — Introduction to CBT and its use in treating trauma and anxiety disorders.Musicians Institute — Contemporary music school in Hollywood where Sean Martin studied after leaving military service.YUNGBLUD Official Website — Contemporary musician cited by Martin as an artist whose independence, honesty, and willingness to challenge expectations has been inspiring.

    39 min

  3. May 27

    179: Why Lasting Cultural Partnerships Drive Art & Social Change Success!

    What does it actually take to build a lasting cross-sector community arts partnership?In this episode, I return to a lesson I learned more than forty years ago in one of the most unlikely classrooms imaginable: the California prison system during one of the most violent periods in its history. At the center of the story is Verne McKee, an incarcerated artist and leader whose practical wisdom about trust, power, responsibility, and human relationships became a blueprint for understanding how successful community arts partnerships are built—and why so many fail. Drawing on Verne’s ten rules for survival and collaboration, I explore the hidden dynamics that determine whether partnerships become transformative long-term alliances or short-lived projects that leave communities worse off than before. Along the way, I unpack the difference between outreach and partnership, why artistic excellence remains essential to social change work, and what shared power actually looks like when artists, institutions, and communities work together. You’ll discover: • Why trust—not funding, programming, or good intentions—is the real currency of sustainable partnership. • How Verne McKee’s ten rules reveal the conditions that help cross-sector collaborations thrive and the warning signs that often predict failure. • Why communities deserve more than one-time projects, and what artists and institutions owe the people they invite into a creative process. If you’ve ever wondered why some community partnerships flourish for decades while others collapse despite talent, resources, and enthusiasm, this episode offers hard-earned lessons from the front lines of creative community change. NOTABLE MENTIONSKey FigureVerne McKee — Former president of the Art and Musicians Guilds at California Medical Facility and a respected leader within California’s prison arts community. Over many years of conversations about how teaching artists could work effectively and responsibly inside correctional institutions, McKee shared insights drawn from lived experience that became the foundation for the “Verne’s Rules” framework discussed in this episode. His observations about respect, artistic excellence, humility, responsibility, self-care, and the central importance of relationships continue to inform approaches to community-based arts partnerships far beyond prison walls. McKee is featured in the documentary Art and the Prison Crisis and was released from prison before his death in 1990. Art and the Prison Crisis (California Revealed) Organizations & ProgramsWilliam James Association — A pioneering nonprofit organization that helped develop, expand, and sustain California’s Arts in Corrections programs for decades. Through partnerships with artists, correctional institutions, and community organizations, the Association played a central role in establishing prison arts as a nationally recognized model for rehabilitation, education, and personal transformation.California Arts in Corrections Program — One of the nation’s longest-running state-supported arts-in-prison initiatives, providing instruction in multiple artistic disciplines throughout California correctional institutions.California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) — The state agency responsible for California’s prison system and a long-term partner in the development of arts programming within correctional facilities.Center for the Study of Art & Community — Research, training, and consulting organization focused on art and social change, community cultural development, and cross-sector partnerships.Animating Democracy — A national resource center documenting and supporting arts-based civic engagement, social justice practice, and community cultural development. Places MentionedSan Quentin Rehabilitation CenterFolsom State PrisonCorrectional Training FacilityCalifornia Medical Facility Historical ContextThe episode references a period during the late 1970s and early 1980s when California prisons were experiencing intense racial, political, and gang-related violence. Organizations mentioned include: Nuestra FamiliaBlack Guerrilla FamilyAryan BrotherhoodCalifornia Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) These references are included to provide historical context for the environment in which California’s prison arts programs were operating. Related ResourcesGood Partners Are… — A collection of partnership-building tools and reflections developed by the Center for the Study of Art & Community, including The Hard Questions for Community Arts Partners and The Partnership Commandments. The publication explores trust, shared power, accountability, reciprocity, and the practical challenges of building effective long-term community partnerships.Art and the Prison Crisis (California Revealed) — Historic documentary featuring incarcerated artists, arts leaders, and correctional staff involved in California’s pioneering prison arts movement during the 1970s and 1980s, including Verne McKee.Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World’s Front Lines — William Cleveland’s examination of artists working in situations of conflict, social division, and community transformation around the world.National Endowment for the Arts – Arts & Well-Being Research — Research exploring the relationship between arts participation, individual well-being, and community health. Sound Effects CreditsExplodeAlert by AndroidonatorRetro-ring remix by TimbreR19-53-Old Telephone Ringing.wav by craigsmithbang prison door LOOP by klankbeeldPodcast 27_Crackle by PodcastAC

    29 min

  4. May 20

    Derek Goldman: What Happens When the Stranger Walks In Your Shoes?

    In this episode of ART IS CHANGE, theater artist and educator Derek Goldman shares how performance can become a civic practice — not simply entertainment, but a way for people to reconnect with themselves, each other, and the deeper responsibilities of citizenship. This episode is part of a special Art in Action series we're producing in partnership with the Charles F. Kettering Foundation’s Democracy and the Arts program. In these episodes we'll be speaking with artists, cultural organizers, and arts leaders who are navigating and challenging current efforts to limit free creative expression and free speech. Together, we'll explore what freedom of expression means in practice, not as an abstract right, but as a lived responsibility at the heart of democratic life. Drawing on his In Your Shoes™ methodology, Goldman explores how storytelling and embodied listening can open surprising pathways for mitigating polarization, isolation, and fear. At the center of the conversation is a deceptively simple process: Two people talk deeply with one another, transcribe the conversation, and then publicly perform each other’s words. The result is not debate, but encounter. From collaborations between conservative Christian and progressive theater students to work in prisons, hospitals, public health spaces, and global conflict zones, Goldman describes how theater can function as “relational fitness” — strengthening the neglected civic muscles of empathy, attention, and human recognition. This episode explores three interconnected ideas: How the In Your Shoes™ process transforms strangers into collaborators through radical listening and embodied storytelling,Why Goldman believes democracy depends not only on freedom of speech, but on the freedom to speak vulnerably and be heard without fear, andHow artists can work across sectors — from diplomacy to public health to incarceration settings — to rebuild trust, connection, and civic imagination in communities. Notable Mentions People Derek Goldman – Laboratory for Global Performance & PoliticsTheater director, educator, and co-founding director of Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance & Politics. Goldman is the creator of the In Your Shoes™ methodology and the co-leader of the Art of Care initiative discussed in this episode.James Thompson – University of Manchester / Care Aesthetics ResearchApplied theater scholar and author whose work on care aesthetics explores the artistic dimensions of caregiving, humanitarian performance, and social practice.Thornton Wilder – Author of Our TownPulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose classic meditation on everyday life and human presence became an unexpected touchstone in Goldman’s work with incarcerated students.Studs Terkel – Oral Historian and BroadcasterLegendary oral historian and radio producer whose conversational storytelling approach echoes through Goldman’s ensemble-based methods of testimony and listening.Tony Kushner Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright referenced in relation to actor Tom Story’s reflections on drawing strength from performing the role of Prior Walter in Angels in America during his own medical recovery. Organizations & Programs Center for the Study of Art & CommunityThe home of ART IS CHANGE, dedicated to research, training, and storytelling at the intersection of arts, democracy, community development, and social change.The Charles F. Kettering FoundationHeadquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, operating foundation with a mission to advance inclusive democracies worldwide by fostering citizen engagement, promoting government accountability, and countering authoritarianism.Democracy and the ArtsThe Kettering Foundation's focus area for integrating the power of the arts into democratic life locally, nationally, and globally.Laboratory for Global Performance & PoliticsGeorgetown University initiative co-founded by Derek Goldman that connects artists, diplomats, activists, scholars, and community leaders using performance as a tool for civic dialogue and global engagement.Georgetown UniversityA Jesuit university in Washington, D.C. where Goldman teaches and where many of the projects discussed in this episode were developed.Mosaic Theater CompanyWashington, D.C. theater company that collaborated with Goldman on The Art of Care, an ensemble-based performance exploring personal and civic dimensions of caregiving.Belarus Free TheatreInternationally recognized theater company founded in Belarus in resistance to political repression and censorship. Goldman references their influence on his thinking about freedom of expression and artistic risk.Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthPublic health institution partnering with Goldman’s team to integrate arts-based relational practices into healthcare and community wellbeing initiatives. Projects & Initiatives In Your Shoes™ – Laboratory for Global Performance & PoliticsDerek Goldman’s signature relational storytelling methodology in which participants interview one another, transcribe conversations, and publicly perform each other’s words as a practice of empathy, listening, and civic connection.The Art of Care Initiative – Laboratory for Global Performance & PoliticsCross-sector initiative exploring care as both an artistic and civic practice, connecting artists, healthcare workers, educators, and community leaders through workshops and performance.The Art of Care – An In Your Shoes™ Workshop Experience – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: An example of the expanding application of Goldman’s methods within healthcare and public health environments, focusing on storytelling, listening, and relational care practices. Publications & Plays Our TownWilder’s landmark play about everyday life, mortality, and human awareness became a powerful framework in Goldman’s theater work with incarcerated communities.Angels in AmericaSeminal American play exploring illness, identity, politics, and care during the AIDS crisis; referenced in relation to actor Tom Story’s recovery narrative.

    47 min

  5. May 13

    177: Organization & Imagination - What Happens When Actvist Artists Take Root in the System

    What happens when Artists are embedded inside the systems that run the world? --- hospitals, railroads, steel mills, shipping companies, government ministries... In this episode, we explore the the strange, funny, visionary, and unexpectedly influential story of Barbara Steveni and the Artist Placement Group — a loose coalition of British artists who, beginning in the late 1960s, attempted something radical: placing artists inside the machinery of everyday institutional life not to decorate systems… but to complicate them. This show explores how artists embedded themselves inside mega-corporations and government agencies — often producing confusion, resistance, revelation, and occasionally profound organizational insight. And: * Why artists may function best not at the edges of society, but deep inside the systems shaping public life. How attention, metaphor, and observation can help institutions become more self aware and better run. * Why imagination inside organizations is often disruptive, inconvenient, and deeply necessary. Notable MentionsPeopleBarbara Steveni — British artist, organizer, and co-founder of the Artist Placement Group whose pioneering work embedded artists inside industrial, governmental, and civic systems as catalysts for institutional reflection and imagination.John Latham — Influential conceptual artist and APG collaborator whose work challenged conventional ideas about institutions, perception, time, and social systems.Ian Breakwell — British artist, filmmaker, and diarist associated with APG whose observational work explored institutional life, mental health systems, and everyday social rituals.Mierle Laderman Ukeles — Maintenance artist whose long collaboration with the New York City Department of Sanitation transformed public understanding of labor, infrastructure, and civic care.David Whyte — Poet and organizational thinker known for bringing metaphor, reflection, and human inquiry into corporate and institutional environments. Organizations & InitiativesArtist Placement Group (APG) — Radical British initiative founded in the late 1960s to place artists inside corporations, industries, and government agencies not to decorate systems, but to deepen and complicate them.Organisation and Imagination (O+I) — The later evolution of APG, continuing its investigation into the relationship between imagination, institutions, governance, and organizational culture.Intermedia Arts — Influential Minneapolis arts organization that helped pioneer artist/community development collaborations and embedded civic arts practice in the United States.The Hayward Gallery — London arts venue that hosted APG’s influential 1971 exhibition Art & Economics, bringing artists, industrialists, and public officials into direct dialogue. Projects, Concepts & EventsArt & Economics / INN70 — Landmark APG exhibition and public experiment exploring relationships between artists, economics, bureaucracy, and institutional life.Incidental Person — John Latham’s concept describing artists embedded within institutions as independent observers capable of perceiving what bureaucratic systems themselves no longer notice.John Latham and the Scottish Bing Projects — Exploration of Latham’s visionary proposal to reconceive Scottish industrial spoil heaps as cultural memory and environmental sculpture.The Institution — Ian Breakwell’s work emerging from placements inside psychiatric hospitals, examining institutional systems, observation, and human vulnerability. Publications & ResearchThe Artist Placement Group and the Industry of Art — Major essay tracing APG’s philosophy, institutional placements, and long-term influence on socially engaged and cross-sector artistic practice.Barbara Steveni: I Find Myself — Steveni’s memoir and archival reflection on APG, institutional imagination, and artist-led systems intervention.Artist Placement Group Chronology — Historical timeline documenting APG placements, exhibitions, collaborations, and policy interventions.Artforum — “Rate of Return: The Artist Placement Group” — Contemporary reassessment of APG’s influence on institutional critique, social practice, and embedded artistic work. Acknowledgements (FreeSound.org)Dream-Drifting by audiomirage -- https://freesound.org/s/665193/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 NixenoFX - short music jingle and start and end music.mp3 by nixeno -- https://freesound.org/s/427552/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Marlow and the DownUnder by audiomirage -- https://freesound.org/s/719007/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 September 21 Equinox by audiomirage -- https://freesound.org/s/827532/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 AMB_pub_small_busy.wav by matucha -- https://freesound.org/s/189876/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Hello User: Bright Cheery Intro Music by jjmarsan -- https://freesound.org/s/476070/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Podcast 27_Crackle by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/720338/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 ******* Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change. Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact. Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

    26 min

  6. May 6

    176: Are Art & Upheaval Incompatible or Inevitable? You Decide

    Are Art and Upheaval totallyincompatible or unavoidably connected?We’re rebroadcasting this episode from 2022, in part, because the ground beneath it hasn’t settled—it’s shifted, cracked, and in some places, caught fire again. The headlines keep reminding us: conflict, repression, dislocation, the slow erosion—and sometimes the sudden collapse—of trust in our institutions and in each other. And right there, in the middle of it, the same quiet, stubborn truth this episode points to: if you scratch the surface of upheaval, you will find artists. Not on the sidelines—on the frontlines. Bearing witness. Making meaning. Holding the line while other systems falose thier grip. Three things to listen for as you step in: First, the insistence that art is not ornamental in times of crisis—it’s operational. It does real work in real conditions. Second, the pattern: loss, rupture, and then—again and again—creative acts that stitch something back together. Not perfectly. But enough to move forward. And third, the wager at the heart of it all: that imagination isn’t an escape from reality—it’s a tool for reshaping it. Some people still think you can’t beat the devil with a song. Listen closely. Then decide for yourself. Notable MentionsFor this episode of Change the Story Change the World we are going to revisit some of those Art and Upheaval stories along with the song of the same name to make a point. Yea, some people think you can’t beat the devil with a song, but they don’t know! Art & Upheaval (song) From the CD Songlines by Cleveland Plainsong: Art & Upheaval: Artists at Work on the World’s Frontlines, New Village Press Change the Story Change the World South African Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights is arguably the part of the Constitution that has had the greatest impact on life in this country. As the first words of this chapter say: "This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom." It has also been the source of the majority of the groundbreaking rulings the Constitutional Court has handed down. To read more about selected rights and the way the Constitutional Court has interpreted them, see children's rights, women's rights, gay and lesbian rights, workers' rights and access to information. Art for Humanity: engages with multidisciplinary arts practice and a wide variety of creative practice within the context of the pressing need for the centering of social justice in our contemporary moment. Based primarily in Durban, the organization aims to support, host, document, create space for, catalyze, and help stimulate this intersection between the arts and questions of history, social transformation and social justice. Bishop Desmond Tutu: was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both cases being the first black African to hold the position. Theologically, he sought to fuse ideas from black theology with African theology. Khmer Rouge: The Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), otherwise known as the Khmer Rouge, took control of Cambodia on April 17, 1975. The CPK created the state of Democratic Kampuchea in 1976 and ruled the country until January 1979. The party’s existence was kept secret until 1977, and no one outside the CPK knew who its leaders were (the leaders called themselves “Angkar Padevat”). While the Khmer Rouge was in power, they set up policies that disregarded human life and produced repression and massacres on a massive scale. They turned the country into a huge detention center, which later became a graveyard for nearly two million people, including their own members and even some senior leaders. Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture: Reyum was a non-profit, non-governmental organisation dedicated to Cambodian arts and culture. Reyum was founded by Ly Daravuth and Ingrid Muan (1964 - 2005) in December 1998 in order to provide a forum for research, preservation, and promotion of traditional and contemporary Cambodian arts and culture. Watts Writers Workshop: was a creative writing group initiated by screenwriter Budd Schulberg in the wake of the devastating August 1965 Watts Riots in South Central Los Angeles (now South Los Angeles). Schulberg later said: "In a small way, I wanted to help.... The only thing I knew was writing, so I decided to start a writers' workshop."[1] The group, which functioned from 1965 to 1973, was composed primarily of young African Americans in Watts and the surrounding neighborhoods. Early on, the Workshop included a theatrical component and one of the founders was the actor Yaphet Kotto. The group expanded its facilities and activities over the next several years with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation. Government files later revealed that the Workshop had been the target of covert operations by the FBI. Writers involved in the Workshop include Quincy Troupe, Samuel Harris Jr better known as Leumas Sirrah, Johnie Scott, Eric Priestley, Ojenke, Herbert Simmons, and Wanda Coleman, as well as the poetry group Watts Prophets. Amde Hamilton: Father Amde is widely recognized for being one of the original poets in the world famous Watts Writers Workshop during the 1960’s, where he and two other poets formed the legendary rap group, the Watts Prophets. Amid racism, poverty, and police brutality that ultimately sparked the Watts Riots, the Watts Writers Workshop tapped into the young, Black voices of Los Angeles that needed to be heard. Watts Prophets: The Watts Prophets are a group of musicians and poets from Watts, a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California"...

    33 min
  7. 175: Suzanne Firstenberg Asks: How Can Art Help Make the Unseen Visible When People Look Away?

    Apr 29

    175: Suzanne Firstenberg Asks: How Can Art Help Make the Unseen Visible When People Look Away?

    What happens when a society loses its grip on grief and numbers replace names? In this episode, social practice artist Suzanne Firstenberg turns national tragedy into human encounter, asking a simple but destabilizing question: Can art make us see each other again? From a field of more than 600,000 white flags on the National Mall to immersive installations on addiction and psychological trauma, Firstenberg's work doesn't explain. It reveals. Each project begins with a question beneath the surface: not how people fall apart, but why. Not how many died, but who they were. Her process moves through research, deep listening, and public participation to transform private pain into shared space. Whether through handwritten memorials, recorded voices, or silent visual scale, she creates conditions where strangers become witnesses. What emerges is not consensus, but connection. In a culture fractured by disinformation, fear, and isolation, Firstenberg reframes the problem: Extremism behaves like addiction because it is reinforced by dopamine and sustained by repetition. Anger is often grief in disguise. Community is not optional. It's the mechanism of healing. Her current work asks a quiet but radical question: "Can we be we again?". It’s an invitation, not a slogan. This episode offers more than insight. It offers a practice that includes paying attention to what's unseen, asking better questions, and staying in the conversation, especially when it's hard. The work of art, at its most useful, is not to decorate the world, but to make us more capable of living in it. Notable Mentions People Suzanne Firstenberg: Social practice artist known for large-scale, public installations addressing grief and public memoryEleanor Roosevelt: Former First Lady and human rights advocate whose mentorship shaped early social policy workDan Patrick: Texas Lieutenant Governor whose early pandemic comments influenced the conceptual framing of Firstenberg’s memorial work Pablo Picasso: An artist whose painting informs Firstenberg’s large-scale historical documentation work Organizations Charles F. Kettering Foundation:The Charles F. Kettering Foundation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, operating foundation with a mission to advance inclusive democracies worldwide by fostering citizen engagement,promoting government accountability, and countering authoritarianism.Democracy and the Arts: The Kettering Foundation's focus area for integrating the power of the arts into democratic life locally, nationally, and globallyNational Park Service: Federal agency that partnered in hosting In America: Remember, Firstenberg’s National Mall InstallationThe Washington Post: Coverage of COVID death framing that helped catalyze In America: RememberWUSA9 (CBS Washington DC) — Produced documentary coverage of In America: Remember Rupert Landscape : Landscape contractor that helped install In America: Remember Events & Places In America: Remember: Suzanne Firstenberg’s 2021 Washington D.C. installation honoring individuals who have died from COVID-19COVID19 Pandemic — CDC Overview: A CDC overview of the global health crisis that forms the central context for In America: RememberBloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, WA: Artist residency site that sparked Firstenberg’s addiction-focused work Publications and Paintings Denying to the Grave: A book by Sara and Jack Gorman that examines denial, belief systems, and resistance to scientific truthGuernica (1937): An iconic antiwar painting by Pablo Picasso referenced by Firstenberg as structural inspiration AcknowledgmentsFrom FreeSound.org Throbbing bass pad.aiff by Raille -- https://freesound.org/s/342146/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 coins.m4a by djfroyd -- https://freesound.org/s/529187/ -- License: Attribution 3.0 *******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change. Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact. Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

    45 min

  8. Apr 21

    174: Anne Cleveland - How Arts-infused Education Supports Democracy

    Active citizenship isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a life path that can be cultivated from a young age.That’s exactly what Ann Cleveland, a Waldorf educator, dives into with us. In our conversation she takes a deep look at how arts-infused education transforms kids into engaged citizens. Forget the boring lectures about democracy; here, kids are living it through music, movement, and storytelling. Ann shares how children practice collaboration and empathy every single day in the classroom, honing the skills they’ll need to navigate the complex social fabric of the world around them. This isn’t just enrichment; it’s the core of their learning experience! Ann emphasizes how arts integrated education helps kids develop self-regulation and attention – essential tools for any democratic society. Anne paints a picture of the classroom as a vibrant community where every voice matters, and every action has purpose. As we riff on the importance of rhythm and repetition, we discover that it’s not just about keeping kids entertained; it’s about grounding them in their bodies and helping them learn to connect with others. Ann’s insights on how the Waldorf approach fosters a sense of belonging and interdependence are not just fascinating; they’re vital in today’s world where the idea of community often feels fractured. So, grab your paintbrush or a musical instrument, and let’s explore how the arts are more than just a creative outlet—they’re a pathway to active, engaged citizenship! Notable MentionsPeopleAnne Cleveland: Waldorf educator, musician, and movement teacher interviewed in this episode about arts-infused education, sensory integration, and democratic practice.Rudolf Steiner: Austrian thinker and founder of anthroposophy whose educational ideas led to Waldorf schooling.Elsa Gotkins: Waldorf educator and mentor cited by Anne Cleveland for her approach to teaching students to listen closely and make non-judgmental observations in music.Bill Cleveland: Host of Art Is Change and director of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Judy Munsen: Composer and sound designer for Art Is Change.Andre Nnebe: Text editor for Art Is Change. PlacesSanta Cruz Waldorf School: California Waldorf school cited by Anne Cleveland as her current teaching community.Association of Waldorf Schools of North America: North American membership organization for independent Waldorf schools and institutes; a reliable overview source for Waldorf education in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.Center for the Study of Art & Community: Producing organization behind Art Is Change. Events / PracticesWaldorf Education: Arts-integrated educational approach referenced throughout the episode, emphasizing developmental stages, imagination, embodiment, and community life.May Faire / school festivals at Santa Cruz Waldorf School: School-based festivals and seasonal rituals, including the Maypole tradition Anne discusses as part of rhythm, anticipation, and shared community practice.Santa Cruz Waldorf School curriculum: Official school description of its class-teacher model and holistic developmental curriculum, closely aligned with what Anne describes in the interview.Waldorf Class Plays: Annual whole-class theater productions discussed in the interview as a recurring exercise in collaboration, responsibility, and shared purpose.Seed Song: Anne Cleveland’s improvised classroom music-and-movement exercise that helped a dysregulated group of children settle, imagine, and reconnect. PublicationsHelping Children on Their Way: Educational Support for the Classroom — Elizabeth Auer, editor: Collection of classroom support essays on helping children with varied learning and developmental needs.Games Children Play: How Games and Sport Help Children Develop — Kim Brooking-Payne: Guide to age-appropriate games and movement activities for children; identified in the transcript as a practical resource Anne uses.Free, Equal and Mutual: Rebalancing Society for the Common Good — Martin Large and Steve Briault, editors: Anthology on Steiner’s threefold social ideas and their relevance to public life and the common good.A Practical Guide to Curative Education: The Ladder of the Seven Life Processes — Robyn M. Brown: Practical guide for educators working with children facing developmental and learning challenges. *******Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change. Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact. Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.

    54 min
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4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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 researcher Bill Cleveland, each episode brings you deep into the lives and work of activist artists and cultural organizers who are doing more than dreaming—they’re transforming communities around the world. You’ll discover: • Proven strategies for thriving as an artist for change in complex, real-world settings • How to build meaningful, lasting partnerships that support your mission and your art • Lessons from global leaders creating cultural blueprints for justice, empathy, and resilience ▶️ Start with fan-favorite Episodes 86 and 87: Lessons From an Art and Change Pioneer—a double-dose of inspiration and practical insight.- https://change-the-story-chan.captivate.fm/episode/bighart-bigstory-redux/

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