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Artistic Activism: Connecting Social Activism and Artistic Practice

  • When
  • March 30, 2017
    5:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (EDT)
  • Where
  • Speakers
  • Nato Thompson, Brett Davidson, Stephen Duncombe, Steve Lambert, Deborah Fisher, Katy Rubin, Jan Cohen-Cruz, Pam Korza, George Perlov, and Rashida Bumbray
  • In partnership with
  • Philanthropy New York, New York Grantmakers in the Arts
Marrying Arts with Campaigns for Social Change (March 30, 2017): The first of two panels explores new techniques and approaches to the use of artistic practice in social activism.
The Impact and Evaluation of Artistic Activism (March 30, 2017): The second of two panels explores new techniques and approaches to the use of artistic practice in social activism.

Over the years, social issue campaigners and activists have employed a variety of marketing and communications efforts to attract public interest to their causes, to varying degrees of success. More recently, activists have turned to the arts for inspiration and as a way to engage audiences, through deep and emotional connections, to bring about change. At the same time, more artists are imbuing their work with social and political messaging to advance the issues they feel most passionate about.

There is a growing body of work, and growing interest among grant makers, about the intersection of arts and activism. This two-panel session, organized in collaboration with Philanthropy New York and New York Grantmakers in the Arts, will provide an opportunity to develop common definitions, best practices, and methods of assessing impact.

Speakers

  • Nato Thompson

    Speaker

    Nato Thompson is artistic director of Creative Time.

  • Brett Davidson

    Moderator

    Until November 2021, Brett Davidson was director of the Media and Narratives Division of the Open Society Public Health Program.

  • Stephen Duncombe

    Moderator

    Stephen Duncombe is professor of media and culture at New York University.

  • Steve Lambert

    Speaker

    Steve Lambert is associate professor of new media at SUNY Purchase.

  • Deborah Fisher

    Speaker

    Deborah Fisher is executive director of A Blade of Grass.

  • Katy Rubin

    Speaker

    Katy Rubin is founding executive director of Theatre of the Oppressed NYC.

  • Jan Cohen-Cruz

    Speaker

    Jan Cohen-Cruz is director of field research at A Blade of Grass.

  • Pam Korza

    Speaker

    Pam Korza is co-director of Animating Democracy, Americans for the Arts.

  • George Perlov

    Speaker

    George Perlov is principal of George Perlov Consulting.

  • Rashida Bumbray

    Speaker

    Rashida Bumbray is the senior program manager of Arts Exchange.

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