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. 4d ago

    189: Why Are Dopamine, Synapsis', & the Prefrontal Cortex Critical to Art & Social Change?

    A while back we shared the story of how Breaking Ice, a theater company working out of an arts based social service agency called Pillsbury House and Theater in Minneapolis, joined up with a large health care system in St. Louis to provide a powerful boost to their diversity, equity and inclusion program. That led to a and exploration of what neuroscience can contribute to understanding and dealing with the human struggle with difference. Dopamine, synapses, and the prefrontal cortex might sound like a science fair project gone wild, but trust me, they're crucial when we dive into the colorful world of art and social change! In this episode, we’re unpacking how the brain's wiring and our creative expressions are intertwined, and how that connection can help us tackle the ever-pressing issues of diversity and social justice. We’ll explore the magic of storytelling and empathy, revealing how art can literally change the way our brains perceive and react to the world around us. Buckle up, because we’re taking a wild ride through neuroscience, creativity, and the transformative power of community art—a journey that’s not just enlightening but also a whole lot of fun. So grab your thinking caps and get ready to dance with some brainy ideas! In this episode we explore: The intersection of neuroscience and creativity can help us understand the human struggle with difference.Empathy is not just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental part of our humanity that artists can harness to create impactful work that can change the way people think about each other.Art is not just about aesthetics; it’s a powerful tool for social change that can rewire how we think about ourselves and each other, ultimately driving cooperation. Spending time with the Breaking Ice theater based diversity, equity, and inclusion program gave rise to a question: How might new insights about how the brain works might help us better understand the how and why of our continuing struggle with difference? Here is what ensued. LISTEN TO Breaking Ice Chapter 1 LISTEN TO Breaking Ice Chapter 2 ART IS CHANGE / All Episodes ART IS CHANGE Collections - Our full catalogue of Episodes in 12 Collections: Justice Arts, Art & Healing, Cultural Organizing, Arts Ed./Children & Youth, Community Arts Training, Music for Change, Theater for Change, Change Making Media, Creative Climate Action, Art of the Rural Notable MentionsBreaking Ice is the award-winning program of Pillsbury House Theatre that for over 20 years has been “breaking the ice” for courageous and productive dialogue around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. A diverse company of professional actors portrays real-life situations that are customized to meet the goals, needs and culture of each unique organization we serve. Pillsbury House and Theater is a groundbreaking “new model for human service work that recognizes the power of the arts and culture to stimulate community participation, investment and ownership.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: was a Hungarian-American psychologist. He recognized and named the psychological concept of "flow", a highly focused mental state conducive to productivity.[1][2] He was the Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Management at Claremont Graduate University. He was also the former head of the department of psychology at the University of Chicago and of the department of sociology and anthropology at Lake Forest College.[3] SourcesQuestion 2: How does our environment influence what we think and believe? 1.Lobel, T. (2014) Sensations: The New Science of Physical Intelligence, Simon & Schuster. 2 Eagleman, David. The Brain: The Story of You. Pg., 105, Vintage Books, 2017 Question 4: Why are stories important? 3.Hamlin, JK, Wynn, K & Bloom, P (2007) “Social evaluation by preverbal infants.” Nature, 450(7169), 557-59. Question 5: What is empathy and what does it have to do with artmaking? 4 Eagleman, David. The Brain: The Story of You. Pg., 143, Vintage Books, 2017 5 Ibid. Question 11: If human cooperation and connection are so important, why do we struggle so with difference? 6. How do children develop a sense of self? - The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/how-do-children- develop-a-sense-of-self-5611 7. Toddler | Preschool & Daycare | The Montessori Centre St Lucia. http://www.themontessoricentre.com/toddlers/ 8. Eagleman, David. The Brain: The Story of You. Pg., 143, Vintage Books, 2017 Question 13: Why is play so important to human development? 9 Asma, Steven The History of Imagination, pg., 84, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2017 10 Asma, Stephen, The Evolution of Imagination, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2017 Question 15: How Can human creativity help us out of this mess? 11 Boyd, Brian, On the Origin of Stories, Harvard University Press, Boston, 2010 ******* Change the Story / Change the World 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.

  2. Jul 29

    188: Can Outside Activist Artists Make a Difference in Your Community?

    Can an artist from outside a community become an effective force for change—or does arriving with good intentions risk repeating the very patterns the work is meant to challenge? Bill Cleveland joins Alice Lovelace and Barbara Schaffer Bacon to examine one of community arts practice’s most persistent questions: when outsiders enter a community, what allows their work to take root, and what turns a promising intervention into a brief visit—or even a source of harm? Through stories from Serbia, Atlanta, Ohio, and rural Georgia, the conversation moves beyond simple answers and into the practical ethics of entering another community’s living room. Listen for three ideas that can change how artists, hosts, and funders approach community-based work: Why local knowledge and leadership must shape the work from the beginning—not merely approve it afterward.How an outside artist can sometimes become a catalyst, witness, or lightning rod when local people cannot safely raise a difficult issue themselves.Why the deepest measure of success is not the artwork left behind, but the relationships, skills, confidence, and community power that remain after the artist leaves. Join us for a candid exploration of what it means to enter with humility, listen for the truth of a place, share leadership, and leave a community more able to tell—and act upon—its own story. Notable MentionsPeople Alice Lovelace: Poet, educator, performer, and Executive Director of ArtsXchange whose decades of community-based practice inform the episode’s most vivid stories about the opportunities and risks faced by visiting artists.Barbara Schaffer Bacon: Cultural policy leader and co-founder of Animating Democracy, known for advancing ethical, reciprocal, and civically engaged arts practice.Bill Cleveland: Host of ART IS CHANGE and longtime community arts practitioner whose book Art and Upheaval examined artists working amid war, oppression, displacement, and social crisis.Dijana Milošević: Serbian theater director, activist, and co-founder of DAH Theatre, cited for describing artists resisting tyranny as citizens acting inside their own community.Slobodan Milošević: Serbian and Yugoslav political leader whose authoritarian rule and the wars surrounding Yugoslavia’s breakup form the historical setting for the discussion of DAH Theatre.John O’Neal: Civil rights activist, playwright, co-founder of the Free Southern Theater, and a major developer of story-circle practice in community cultural work.Liz Lerman: Choreographer, educator, and civic arts pioneer whose residencies model inquiry, participation, and shared creative leadership.Michael Rohd: Theater-maker, facilitator, and civic-practice leader whose community residencies use creative process to support public dialogue and local problem-solving. Organizations & Initiatives Center for the Study of Art & Community: Producer of ART IS CHANGE and a resource for arts-based community development and cultural organizing.ArtsXchange: Atlanta-area interdisciplinary arts center connecting artistic practice, community development, environmental work, and social justice.DAH Theatre Research Center: Belgrade-based theater laboratory founded during the breakup of Yugoslavia, using performance as a form of resistance, memory, and civic engagement.Urban Bush Women: Black women-led dance company and social-change organization that combines performance, artist development, education, and deep community engagement.Animating Democracy: National initiative documenting and strengthening the role of arts and culture in civic dialogue, community change, and democracy.Appalshop: Appalachian media, arts, and education organization dedicated to telling stories from within the region and challenging stereotypes through locally rooted cultural work.CETA Arts Legacy Project: Project preserving the history of federally supported artist employment under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, referenced through artists who worked in communities with unusually open-ended assignments. Events & Programs Hurricane Katrina: The devastating 2005 Gulf Coast hurricane whose aftermath prompted many artists to seek ways to enter affected communities and help—raising difficult questions about urgency, expertise, and the impulse to parachute in.Story Circle: A structured method for sharing personal experience, discovering common ground, and grounding community work in local voices; used in the Lima, Ohio residencies discussed in the episode. (See also, John O'Neal above)Building Blocks of Effective Community Arts Practice: ART IS CHANGE conversation series examining the skills, ethics, and strategies required for effective arts-based community work.Alice Lovelace — Episode 23: Earlier podcast conversation in which Lovelace recounts in greater depth the controversy, community response, and lasting impact of her work as an outside artist in Georgia. Publications & Learning Resources Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World’s Frontlines: Bill Cleveland’s examination of artists responding to war, oppression, cultural dislocation, and community crisis in places including Serbia and Cambodia.Literature Is History: The course Alice Lovelace created for young people in rural Georgia, grounding literature in lived experience and restoring the history, skills, and cultural gifts of enslaved Africans to the community narrative.Story Circle Facilitation: A Quick Guide: Practical guide to the community story-circle method developed through Roadside Theater and Junebug Productions. Places & Institutions Atlanta, Georgia: Home ground for Alice Lovelace’s community arts practice and a central reference point for considering the difference between working inside one’s own community and entering another.Evans, Georgia: Community associated with one of Lovelace’s experiences of becoming a politically targeted outside artist whose resistance helped provoke local solidarity and institutional change.Lima, Ohio: Site of artist residencies where story-circle skills remained available to the community and were reactivated years later during a local crisis.Serbia: Major case study in Cleveland’s work on artists responding from within communities experiencing authoritarianism and war.Cambodia: Referenced as another setting where local artists’ long-term...

  3. Jul 22

    187: Ken Grossinger Believes Art is Essential to Effective Organizing

    Can the right song, painting, or museum exhibit spark real political change? What if culture is the missing strategy in today’s social movements?If you’ve ever felt like your efforts for justice aren’t hitting deep enough, it might be because the culture hasn’t caught up with your message. In this episode, labor organizer and social change strategist Ken Grossinger shares how his journey from labor organizing to cultural advocacy revealed a truth many overlook: policy changes fade, but stories—and the art that tells them—have staying power. In this episode: Discover how blending power analysis with artistic expression can amplify grassroots campaigns and drive long-term social change.Hear powerful case studies—from a revolutionary museum exhibit in Louisville to a musical uprising in Alaska—that reveal how art can expose injustice and build movements.Learn from real-world collaborations between artists and organizers that shift narratives, challenge power, and activate communities in ways no policy paper ever could. Tune in now to hear how Ken Grossinger’s book ART WORKS and his work in communities across the U.S. show us why art isn’t just a reflection of justice—it’s how we get there. Notable MentionsPeople Ken Grossinger — Longtime movement strategist and author of Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together, which explores the strategic partnership between artists and organizers across decades of social-justice campaigns. Richard Cloward — Columbia University sociologist and organizer whose power-analysis framework shaped generations of strategists; co-founder of the National Welfare Rights Organization and a chief architect of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act ("Motor Voter" law). Bernice Johnson Reagon — Civil rights song leader who co-founded the Freedom Singers with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and later founded the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock. Si Kahn — Veteran folk musician, author, and organizer who has spent decades writing songs in direct collaboration with the communities he serves, including the fishermen and Alaska Native communities fighting the Pebble Mine. Harry Belafonte — Singer and actor who became one of the civil rights movement's most trusted strategists and financiers, sitting at the strategy tables of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Bryan Stevenson — Founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy; created the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Amy Sherald — Painter whose 2020 Vanity Fair portrait of Breonna Taylor became the centerpiece of the Speed Art Museum's "Promise, Witness, Remembrance" exhibition. Stephen Reily — Director of the Speed Art Museum in Louisville at the time of Breonna Taylor's killing, who reorganized the museum's programming around community-led advisory boards. Norman Lear — Legendary TV producer and creator of All in the Family, who used Archie Bunker's bigotry to bring racism and homophobia into American living rooms as everyday conversation. Frances Stonor Saunders — British historian and author of The Cultural Cold War, which documents the CIA's covert promotion of Abstract Expressionist artists like Jackson Pollock as ideological counters to Soviet Social Realism. Jane Fonda, Karen Nussbaum & Ellen Cassedy — Actress-activist Jane Fonda partnered with 9to5 co-founders Karen Nussbaum and Ellen Cassedy to turn the working women's organizing movement into the hit 1980 comedy 9 to 5. Organizations & Institutions Center for the Study of Art and Community — Producer of Art is Change and host organization for the Art in Action series exploring arts-based civic engagement. Charles F. Kettering Foundation — Nonprofit research foundation focused on deliberative democracy; partner for the Art in Action series through its Democracy and the Arts program. Equal Justice Initiative — Montgomery, Alabama human-rights organization founded by Bryan Stevenson; operates the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Speed Art Museum — Louisville, Kentucky museum whose 2021 exhibition "Promise, Witness, Remembrance," built around Amy Sherald's portrait, became a national model for community-driven museum programming. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) — New York institution whose mid-century ties to CIA-backed cultural promotion of Abstract Expressionism are documented in Frances Stonor Saunders's The Cultural Cold War. American Museum of Natural History & Smithsonian — Both institutions faced public pressure after climate scientists and advocacy groups called on them to sever ties with board member and fossil-fuel financier David Koch. Highlander Research and Education Center — Tennessee-based center for labor and civil-rights organizing, where staff such as Zilphia Horton adapted "We Shall Overcome" and other freedom songs used across the movement. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) — Student-led civil rights organization that carried freedom songs into direct-action campaigns across the South and gave rise to groups like the Freedom Singers. International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) — Union whose cultural department trained its own members to write, sing, and perform, producing the Broadway hit Pins and Needles. 9to5, National Association of Working Women — Organization founded by Karen Nussbaum and Ellen Cassedy to fight for office workers' rights, later dramatized in the film 9 to 5. Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay — Network of musicians, co-organized by Si Kahn, that used songwriting and touring to build public opposition to Alaska's proposed Pebble Mine. Books, Films & Recordings Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together — Ken Grossinger's book on the strategic collaborations between artists and organizers, discussed throughout this episode. Just Mercy — Bryan Stevenson's memoir recounting...

  4. Jul 15

    186: Effective Community Arts Practice - Should Activist Artists Prioritize Safety or Bravery

    Today we continue our Building Blocks of Effective Community Arts Practice series with two longtime fellow travelers: activist poet and cultural organizer Alice Lovelace, and educator, cultural policy leader, and Animating Democracy co-founder Barbara Shaffer Bacon. Together we wrestle with a question many artists are asking right now: Should we prioritize safety—or bravery? Drawing on decades of experience—from the culture wars of the 1980s to today’s debates over censorship, public funding, and democracy—they explore how artists can respond with creativity rather than fear. Three reasons to listen• Creative courage takes many forms. Bravery isn’t only public protest. It can mean telling difficult truths, creating work without waiting for permission, • Healthy cultural ecosystems make courage possible. Artists, organizations, funders, and communities can build networks of mutual support that allow creative work to flourish even during periods of political and economic uncertainty. • Artists possess tools society needs right now. From improvisation and storytelling to visioning and collective imagination, the very skills artists practice every day may be among our most important resources for helping communities navigate uncertainty and build a more hopeful future. Notable Mentions People Alice Lovelace: Poet, educator, Executive Director of ArtsXchange, and longtime leader in community-based arts, cultural organizing, and social justice.Barbara Shaffer Bacon: Cultural policy leader, educator, and founding co-director of Animating Democracy, widely recognized for advancing arts-based civic engagement and cultural policy.Lenny Sloan: Beloved community arts advocate, cultural organizer, and longtime colleague remembered as one of the inspirations behind this conversation series.Maynard Jackson: Atlanta's first African American mayor, remembered for expanding civic participation and public investment in the arts.Shirley Franklin: Former mayor of Atlanta whose administration continued significant investment in the city's cultural infrastructure.Robert Peters: Mashpee Wampanoag artist, writer, and cultural leader whose work integrates Indigenous traditions, storytelling, ceremony, and community healing.Roberta Uno: Founder of New WORLD Theater and one of America's leading advocates for culturally specific and community-based theater. Organizations & Initiatives Center for the Study of Art & Community: Producer of ART IS CHANGE and advancing arts-based community development and cultural organizing.ArtsXchange: Atlanta-based interdisciplinary arts organization dedicated to community cultural development, creative leadership, and social justice.Animating Democracy: National initiative advancing civic engagement, community development, and social change through the arts.New WORLD Theater: Groundbreaking multicultural theater that elevated artists and communities of color while reshaping American theater.Public Art Network: National professional network supporting public artists, public art programs, and civic arts leadership.Arts on Prescription: An emerging healthcare movement integrating arts participation into medical care through clinician referrals and social prescribing. Places Atlanta, Georgia: Principal case study illustrating strengths and vulnerabilities of long-term community arts ecosystems.New Bedford, Massachusetts: Example of a city where artists, government, and community organizations have built a collaborative cultural ecosystem.Alameda, California: Home base of host Bill Cleveland and the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Minneapolis, Minnesota: Referenced as an example of a deeply interconnected community arts ecosystem. Key Concepts & Practices Arts Ecosystems: The interconnected relationships among artists, organizations, funders, institutions, and communities that collectively sustain creative life.Cross-sector Collaboration: Partnerships linking artists with public health, education, environmental justice, youth development, and community planning.Creative Commons (Community Sense): Bill Cleveland's metaphor describing artistic communities where collaboration, mentoring, reciprocity, and mutual aid become cultural norms.Arts on Prescription: A growing international practice in which healthcare professionals prescribe arts participation as part of treatment for physical, mental, and social well-being. ******* 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.

  5. Jul 8

    185: What Makes a Healthy Art and Social Change Ecosystem?

    What makes the difference between a community where artists simply survive… and one where creativity becomes part of the living infrastructure of democracy?Today we’re continuing our series exploring the building blocks of effective community arts practice. Joining me once again are activist poet, performer, educator, and creative change agent Alice Lovelace, along with educator, cultural strategist, and longtime arts and democracy leader Barbara Shaffer Bacon. Together we tackle a deceptively simple question: What are the essential ingredients of a healthy and thriving art and social change ecosystem? We Explore: Why healthy arts ecosystems don’t happen by accident.The false assumption that cultural health is defined by economic development.Why the strongest cultural ecosystems reach far beyond the arts themselves—connecting artists with public health, education, environmental justice, youth development, and other sectors that shape the well-being of a community. This is a conversation about community, stewardship, and what it really takes to build an ecosystem where artists—and the communities they serve—can flourish together. Notable MentionsPeopleAlice Lovelace: Poet, educator, Executive Director of ArtsXchange, and longtime leader in community-based arts, cultural organizing, and social justice.Barbara Shaffer Bacon: Cultural policy leader, educator, and founding co-director of Animating Democracy, widely recognized for advancing arts-based civic engagement and cultural policy.Lenny Sloan: Beloved community arts advocate, cultural organizer, and longtime colleague remembered as one of the inspirations behind this conversation series.Maynard Jackson: Atlanta's first African American mayor, remembered for expanding civic participation and public investment in the arts.Shirley Franklin: Former mayor of Atlanta whose administration continued significant investment in the city's cultural infrastructure.Robert Peters: Mashpee Wampanoag artist, writer, and cultural leader whose work integrates Indigenous traditions, storytelling, ceremony, and community healing.Roberta Uno: Founder of New WORLD Theater and one of America's leading advocates for culturally specific and community-based theater. Organizations & InitiativesCenter for the Study of Art & Community: Producer of ART IS CHANGE and advancing arts-based community development and cultural organizing.ArtsXchange: Atlanta-based interdisciplinary arts organization dedicated to community cultural development, creative leadership, and social justice.Animating Democracy: National initiative advancing civic engagement, community development, and social change through the arts.New WORLD Theater: Groundbreaking multicultural theater that elevated artists and communities of color while reshaping American theater.Public Art Network: National professional network supporting public artists, public art programs, and civic arts leadership.Arts on Prescription: An emerging healthcare movement integrating arts participation into medical care through clinician referrals and social prescribing. PlacesAtlanta, Georgia: Principal case study illustrating strengths and vulnerabilities of long-term community arts ecosystems.New Bedford, Massachusetts: Example of a city where artists, government, and community organizations have built a collaborative cultural ecosystem.Alameda, California: Home base of host Bill Cleveland and the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Minneapolis, Minnesota: Referenced as an example of a deeply interconnected community arts ecosystem. Key Concepts & PracticesArts Ecosystems: The interconnected relationships among artists, organizations, funders, institutions, and communities that collectively sustain creative life.Cross-sector Collaboration: Partnerships linking artists with public health, education, environmental justice, youth development, and community planning.Creative Commons (Community Sense): Bill Cleveland's metaphor describing artistic communities where collaboration, mentoring, reciprocity, and mutual aid become cultural norms.Arts on Prescription: A growing international practice in which healthcare professionals prescribe arts participation as part of treatment for physical, mental, and social well-being. ******* 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.

  6. Jul 1

    184: Ariel Fristoe: -Theater as a Civic Commons

    Ariel Fristoe: Theater as a Civic Commons What happens when theater stops asking audiences simply to watch and starts inviting communities to listen, speak, and act? In this conversation, Bill Cleveland talks with Ariel Fristoe, founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater in Atlanta, about a lifetime spent reclaiming theater’s oldest purpose—not entertainment alone, but civic life. Together they explore how storytelling, conversation, and community partnerships can become practical tools for reducing polarization, strengthening democratic participation, and helping neighbors encounter one another as fellow human beings rather than strangers. From foster parenting to community organizing, from performances in living rooms to citywide dinners on racial equity, Ariel describes a practice built on a deceptively simple recipe: Art to open hearts. Information to open minds. Conversation to inspire action. In this episode: Why theater originally existed as a civic commons—and why Ariel believes it should become one again.The story behind Decatur Dinners, where more than 1,200 strangers gathered in homes across one city for conversations about race.Ariel’s vision for a modern “federal theatre project” that would put artists to work helping communities address their most pressing challenges.How community conversations created through theater can strengthen civic participation and democratic life. ART IS CHANGE Episode 184 Notable Mentions People Ariel Fristoe — Founder and Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, nationally recognized for developing theater-based civic engagement models that combine performance, dialogue, and community action.Bill Cleveland — Host of Art Is Change, artist, researcher, and founder of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — Civil rights leader whose vision of the “Beloved Community” profoundly influences Ariel's work and the mission of Out of Hand Theater.Bryan Stevenson — Civil rights attorney, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, and author of Just Mercy. Ariel references his conviction that hope is the enemy of injustice.Malunga Casquelourd — Congolese cultural leader and teaching artist whose work at San Quentin Prison used traditional storytelling, music, and movement to create dialogue across prison factions.Nikki Young — Playwright whose work appears in the Decatur Dinners performance excerpt featured in this episode.Jesenia Ingram — Atlanta actor performing the excerpt from Nikki Young's play during the Decatur Dinners segment.Brian Goldstone — Journalist and anthropologist whose Pulitzer Prize-winning book There Is No Place for Us examines housing insecurity and the working poor in Atlanta. Organizations & Initiatives Out of Hand Theater — Atlanta-based theater company working at the intersection of art, civic engagement, and social justice through performances, community dialogue, and partnerships.Community Impact Lab — Out of Hand Theater's national training initiative helping artists, activists, and community leaders develop arts-based civic engagement projects.“Equitable Dinners” — Out of Hand's signature model combining a short play, shared meal, facilitated dialogue, and concrete civic action.“Shows in Homes” — Long-running initiative bringing professional theater into private homes to spark conversations around difficult community issues.“We Hold These Truths” — Out of Hand Theater's America250 initiative using four original plays and community dinners to encourage conversations across political, racial, and cultural differences.Center for the Study of Art & Community — Producer of Art Is Change.Charles F. Kettering Foundation — Partner through its Democracy and the Arts program.National Endowment for the Arts — Federal arts agency supporting public access to the arts, including Out of Hand's America250 initiative.The King Center — Atlanta institution dedicated to advancing Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence.The Carter Center — International nonprofit advancing peace, democracy, and public health.National Center for Civil and Human Rights — Atlanta museum and educational center exploring links between the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and global human rights.United Way of Greater Atlanta — Regional nonprofit working to improve education, housing, and economic mobility.Atlanta Regional Commission — Metropolitan planning agency serving the Atlanta region.Mixed Blood Theatre — Minneapolis theater company licensing Out of Hand's community dinner model.RealTime Arts — Pittsburgh arts organization presenting Out of Hand's civic engagement model. Events & Projects America250 — National commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, inspiring Out of Hand's “We Hold These Truths” initiative.“Decatur Dinners” — Landmark civic arts initiative in which more than 1,200 participants gathered in homes across Decatur for performances and conversations about racial equity. Publications & Research There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America — Brian Goldstone's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into working homelessness in Atlanta.International Journal of Arts Management — Peer-reviewed journal publishing Ariel Fristoe's research on Out of Hand Theater's community-centered business model.Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society — Scholarly journal publishing research related to arts management and cultural policy. American Theatre — National publication covering nonprofit theater, including Out of Hand Theater's America250 initiative. “Out of Hand Theater: Monetizing Creativity”— Harvard Business School case study examining Out of Hand Theater's innovative business model. Places & Institutions Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park — Historic district where Ariel Fristoe lives and works.Hope-Hill Elementary School — Neighborhood school Ariel describes as transforming her understanding of segregation and systemic racism.San Quentin Rehabilitation Center — California correctional institution referenced in Bill Cleveland's story about arts-based conflict resolution.Boston Children's Theatre — Historic theater where

    184: Ariel Fristoe: -Theater as a Civic Commons

  7. Jun 23

    183: Paola Mendoza - What if the Most Powerful Antidote for Tyranny is an Artist with a Story?

    In this episode we're joined by filmmaker, organizer, novelist, visual artist, and self described conjurer of stories, Paola Mendoza. For more than two decades, Paola has used every tool she can get her hands on. Film, theater, public art, organizing, and literature to tell stories that expand our understanding of who counts, who belongs. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, she's dedicated her artist force of nature life to portraying America's vital immigrant communities with dignity, complexity and humanity at a time when those qualities are often under attack. In our conversation, we'll explore: the roots of Paola's story making practice,the role of art in resisting authoritarianism,what Paola's novel Sanctuary can teach us about building communities of care, dangerous times,and how artists across the country are using the 2026 World cup to create a powerful counter narrative through the no Ice in the cup campaign. This is a conversation about storytelling, solidarity, and the enduring power of imagination to help us build the world we want to inhabit. Notable MentionsPeoplePaola Mendoza⁠: Colombian-born filmmaker, author, artist, and cultural organizer whose work focuses on immigration, belonging, democracy, and social change through storytelling. Abby Sher⁠: Award-winning writer and co-author of Sanctuary, the young-adult novel that imagines a future America shaped by authoritarianism, immigrant persecution, and grassroots resistance. Jordan Seaberry⁠: Artist, organizer, and founder of The Ulysses Initiative whose work bridges civic engagement, public art, and democracy-building. He coordinated the commissioning of artists for the No ICE in the Cup campaign. Organizations & InitiativesNo ICE in the Cup⁠: A national artist-led and community-based campaign using art, storytelling, sports, and public action to promote belonging and oppose immigration enforcement activities connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Horizons Project⁠: A cross-ideological coalition of organizations working to strengthen democracy and prevent authoritarianism through civic action, strategic coordination, and public engagement. The Center for the Study of Art & Community⁠: Bill Cleveland’s long-running organization dedicated to advancing arts-based community development, cultural organizing, and social change. PublicationsSanctuary⁠: Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher’s bestselling novel set in a future America where undocumented immigrants are hunted by the government and communities must rely on mutual aid and solidarity to survive. Solis⁠: Mendoza’s companion novel to Sanctuary, expanding the story’s exploration of authoritarianism, resistance, and immigrant survival. Together We Rise: Behind the Scenes at the Protest Heard Around the World⁠: Mendoza’s collaborative account of the Women’s March and the organizing lessons behind one of the largest mass mobilizations in U.S. history. Events2026 FIFA World Cup⁠: The largest sporting event in the world and the catalyst for No ICE in the Cup’s effort to promote welcome, inclusion, and democratic values across host cities. New York State Cup⁠: New York’s premier youth soccer championship competition, referenced in the conversation as the tournament won by members of the youth team that later participated in a No ICE in the Cup community event. Places & InstitutionsBrooklyn, New York⁠: Mendoza’s home community and the location of one of the grassroots soccer and community-organizing events associated with No ICE in the Cup. Statue of Liberty⁠: Iconic symbol of immigration and welcome that served as the backdrop for a No ICE in the Cup banner action marking the opening of the World Cup. Minneapolis, Minnesota⁠: Frequently cited in the interview as an example of a city with deep organizing traditions and community networks capable of mobilizing mutual aid and resistance during times of crisis. Lenape Homeland⁠: The ancestral homeland of the Lenape people, acknowledged by Mendoza when describing Brooklyn as the place from which she joined the conversation. Arts & Cultural ReferencesJack in the Box⁠: The fast-food restaurant where Mendoza’s mother found one of her first jobs after immigrating to the United States, a formative part of the family’s immigrant story. The Theater⁠: Described by Mendoza as the foundation of her creative practice—a place where she discovered storytelling, community, and her own voice as an artist. *******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.

  8. Jun 17

    182: Arts Freedom Weather Report - Who Speaks - Who Belongs?

    Who belongs in America’s story? As battles over immigration, public institutions, national celebrations, and freedom of expression intensify, a deeper struggle is emerging beneath the headlines: who gets represented, remembered, welcomed, and heard. In this Arts Freedom Weather Report, Bill Cleveland connects seemingly unrelated events—from the turmoil at the Kennedy Center and preparations for America250, to the FIFA World Cup, Pride festivals, immigrant-rights cultural organizing, and the rise of creative resistance networks. What emerges is a revealing pattern: artists and cultural organizers are increasingly finding themselves at the center of a national debate over identity, belonging, and democratic life. Listen to discover: Why “belonging” may be the most important cultural and political battleground in America today—and how artists are helping communities expand, rather than narrow, the definition of who belongs.How creative action is evolving from expression to civic practice—with artists using festivals, public art, storytelling, music, and cultural organizing not simply to protest, but to build community, visibility, and democratic participation.What today’s conflicts over museums, national commemorations, immigration, Pride celebrations, and public institutions reveal about the larger struggle over America’s future story—and who gets to help write it. Join us for a timely exploration of how artists, cultural organizations, and everyday citizens are using imagination not only to resist authoritarian pressures, but to create more welcoming, inclusive, and democratic communities. Notable MentionsPeopleJosef Palermo: The Kennedy Center’s first visual arts curator offers a detailed firsthand account of the institutional turmoil, political pressure, and operational disruption that followed changes in the Center’s leadership. Angel Faz: Dallas-based artist and community organizer whose imagery has become one of the most visible artistic expressions associated with the No ICE in the Cup campaign. Brandi Carlile: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose Be Human concert in Minneapolis raised funds for immigrant families while demonstrating how music can function as civic infrastructure and community-building. Organizations & InitiativesNo ICE in the Cup: A growing network of artists, cultural organizations, immigrant-rights advocates, and community groups working across World Cup host cities to create welcoming, creative responses to immigration enforcement and public fear. Free DC: An advocacy organization focused on protecting Washington D.C. home rule while building both political and cultural power through civic engagement and storytelling. Beautiful Trouble: An international training network that teaches creative activism, strategic communications, and imaginative approaches to social change. Center for Artistic Activism: An organization that helps artists and activists design creative interventions capable of producing measurable social and political impact. Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop: A nationally respected literary organization that supports incarcerated writers through workshops, mentorship, publishing opportunities, and public engagement. Cultural Institutions & PlacesJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: America’s national cultural center and a focal point in current debates over artistic independence, governance, and public trust. International Festival of Arts & Ideas: New Haven’s internationally recognized multidisciplinary arts festival. The 2026 season centers on questions of home, belonging, and community connection. EventsAmerica250: The official national commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, prompting communities nationwide to explore whose stories are included in the American narrative. FIFA World Cup 2026: The largest international sporting event in the world and a catalyst for cultural programming, public art, and debates over immigration, belonging, and freedom of expression. No Kings: A nationwide series of public demonstrations supported by Indivisible and partner organizations, combining civic action, public gathering, music, and cultural expression. PublicationsWhat I Saw Inside the Kennedy Center: Josef Palermo’s detailed account of working inside the Kennedy Center during a period of political upheaval. The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America — Sarah Lewis: URL not yet verified. Included because of its importance to the discussion of visibility, history, and democratic storytelling. *******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.

See All (190)

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/

Information

You Might Also Like