Cultural Organizing for a Just Society: making art & culturE integral to social justice organizing and movement building

Cultural organizing exists at the intersection of art and activism. It is a fluid and dynamic practice that is understood and expressed in a variety of ways, reflecting the unique cultural, artistic, organizational and political contexts of its practitioners and the communities they work in. Cultural organizing is about placing art, culture and creative practice at the center of an organizing strategy. It is also about organizing from a particular cultural identity, community of place or worldview.

This workshop will present innovative examples of cultural organizing to spark an interactive conversation about exemplary practices, challenges, and strategies for supporting cultural organizing. It will explore the power of art, culture, creative practice and media making to: expand who is included in organizing and how they are included, creatively frame and communicate visions of change, encourage critical thinking, break down fear, and humanize polarized issues.

Presenters: Amalia Deloney (MAG-Net), Ricardo Levins Morales (RLM Arts Studio), Graciela I. Sánchez (Esperanza Center for Peace and Justice), and Carlton Turner (Alternate Roots). Facilitator: Javiera Benavente (Arts & Democracy Project).