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

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.

What does it look like when artists and cultural organizers respond to authoritarian pressure—not with silence or fear, but with imagination, strategy, and collective action?This January 2026 Arts Freedom Weather Report comes from Minneapolis, a city once again at the epicenter of grief, rage, courage, and creative resistance. In the wake of multiple killings, intensified ICE activity, and federal misinformation, communities across Minnesota are responding not only with protest—but with song, ritual, writing, mutual aid, and rapid-response cultural organizing.In this episode, we explore three urgent realities shaping this moment:How culture becomes infrastructure for democracy when institutions fail—through singing vigils, collective mourning, and grassroots artistic action.What decentralized resistance actually looks like on the ground, as hundreds of small, uncoordinated acts add up to something powerful and sustained.How imagination, grief, and creative practice help people endure and act, especially in communities long accustomed to state violence and surveillance.Listen in for an on-the-ground report from Minneapolis that shows how artists, organizers, and neighbors are transforming fear into solidarity—and keeping democratic culture alive under pressure.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Renee Macklin GoodeMinneapolis poet and mother whose life and work are honored in this episode. (Minnesota Public Radio)Gregory BovinoU.S. Border Patrol official referenced in discussion of federal enforcement escalation in Minnesota.Hannah ArendtPolitical theorist cited for her insights into authoritarianism, fear, and the erosion of civic imagination.Christopher FryBritish poet and playwright; excerpt from The Sleep of Prisoners is referenced during the episode.Marquis BowieMinneapolis-based poet, teaching artist, and cultural healer whose reflections on grief, writing, and survival appear in this conversation. (MN Artists / MPR)Organizations & GroupsCenter for the Study of Art & CommunityProducing organization for ART IS CHANGE.Resistance Revival ChorusNational movement using collective singing as protest, courage-building, and democratic practice.Hennepin Avenue United Methodist ChurchHost site for large-scale community singing and resistance gatherings in Minneapolis.Unidos MNLatino-led organization providing community safety training, constitutional observers, and mutual aid.Minnesota Arts & Cultural CoalitionStatewide coalition organizing legal briefings, advocacy, and shared resources for arts organizations.Forecast Public ArtMinneapolis-based organization providing rapid-response grants and support to artists and cultural leaders.Minneapolis Arts CommissionCity commission supporting and advising on arts policy and cultural resourcesPublicationsMad Dog 30/30 by Marquis BowiePoetry collection by Minneapolis poet and teaching artist Marquis Bowie, exploring grief, rage, tenderness, survival, and Black interior life. The book is referenced in the episode in connection with Bowie’s role as a cultural healer and witness in moments of community trauma.The Sleep of Prisoners by Christopher FryVerse play referenced through an excerpt read during the episode, reflecting on war, conscience, and moral reckoning.ence, and moral reckoning.Places & Contextual ReferencesGeorge Floyd SquareReferenced as part of the geographic and emotional landscape shaping current events. (New York Times)San Pablo Lutheran ChurchSite of memorial services and community gathering following Renee Nicole Goode’s death.Acknowledgements:From FreeSound.orgWinterstorm II: A Cinematic and ambient soundscape by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/552032/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Winterstorm II: A Cinematic and ambient soundscape by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/552032/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Chord Swell - Gmin by Moqally -- https://freesound.org/s/843450/ -- 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.

When unchecked power rewrites the story of America, who gets to live, who gets to speak, and who quietly disappears?In this episode of ART IS CHANGE, Bill Cleveland shares next chapter in the continuing Weather Report, (now called the Arts Freedom Weather Report) Rather than chasing single headlines or isolated outrages, this episode steps back to examine the cultural climate shaping 2026: how small policy shifts stack up, how institutions quietly recalibrate under authoritarian pressure, and how artists and cultural organizations are responding in real time.In this show, we explore three critical dynamics shaping the arts and democracy right now:How culture is being strategically targeted and weaponized — through funding shifts, legal pressure, and narrative control.What’s actually happening on the ground at the NEA, in public media, museums, universities, and courts.How artists and organizers are responding with preparation, creativity, and discipline, treating resistance as a learned practice rather than a spontaneous reaction.Listen in as we establish a cultural baseline for 2026 — one we’ll return to again and again — and map the early warning signs, fault lines, and sources of strength shaping the struggle for artistic freedom and democratic life.NOTABLE MENTIONSPeopleBill ClevelandHost of ART IS CHANGE and founder of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Renee Nicole GoodeMinneapolis poet, mother, and community member whose work and life are honored at the close of the episode. (Minnesota Public Radio)Sonia De Los SantosSinger-songwriter and educator who stepped away from a Kennedy Center performance, citing concerns that the space no longer felt welcoming.Stephen SchwartzComposer of Wicked who withdrew from a Kennedy Center gala in protest of politicization.Béla FleckBanjo innovator who canceled Kennedy Center appearances rather than participate in a politicized cultural space.Chuck ReddJazz vibraphonist and bandleader who canceled his long-running Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jam.The CookersJazz ensemble that canceled its New Year’s Eve engagement at the Kennedy Center.Wayne TuckerTrumpeter and composer who withdrew from Kennedy Center programming.Doug VaroneChoreographer whose company stepped away from scheduled Kennedy Center performances.Organizations & InstitutionsCenter for the Study of Art & CommunityProducing organization for ART IS CHANGE.National Endowment for the ArtsFederal arts agency examined throughout the episode for structural and policy shifts.American Alliance of MuseumsReported widespread loss of federal funding and program contraction across U.S. museums.Corporation for Public BroadcastingPublic media funder affected by the 2025 Rescissions Act.American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)Legal organization representing arts groups challenging unconstitutional funding restrictions.Theater Communications GroupNational advocacy organization involved in litigation defending artistic freedom.National Queer TheaterPlaintiff in the successful lawsuit challenging NEA viewpoint discrimination.Rhode Island Latino ArtsArts organization involved in the NEA lawsuit.The Theater OffensiveBoston-based theater organization and plaintiff in the NEA lawsuit.Laws, Policies & FrameworksProject 2025Conservative blueprint for reshaping federal agencies and executive authority.Executive Order 14168Order challenged for restricting arts funding tied to “gender ideology.” (Federal Register)Rescissions Act of 2025Legislation cutting federal support for public media. (Congressional record)Ohio Senate Bill 1State legislation restricting DEI initiatives and chilling arts and humanities education.Movements & Practice-Based ResistanceNational Artists Safety SurveyAnonymous survey developed by the Artists at Risk Connection documenting censorship, harassment, and threats against artists and arts organizations.Beautiful TroubleGlobal network training artists and organizers in creative, strategic resistance.Center for Artistic ActivismOrganization helping artists design interventions that apply pressure where power actually lives.Free DCDC-based movement integrating music, ritual, and performance into organizing, including Go-Go traditions.No KingsMovement centering culture, humor, and performance to assert democracy as a lived practice.Acknowledgements:From FreeSound.org03419 swirly swooshes.wav by Robinhood76 -- https://freesound.org/s/160611/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Ambient 19_Cello Song by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/720336/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Desolation Wilderness - Rain and Thunder - In Tent by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/822507/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Ambient 20_Float by PodcastAC -- https://freesound.org/s/720339/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Winterstorm I: A Cinematic and ambient soundscape by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/541062/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Darkest Thursday – A Haunting Electronic Masterpiece by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/558271/ -- License: Attribution 4.0WonkTone_125bpm01_LoopCache_AbstractPercussion.wav by aikighost -- https://freesound.org/s/199050/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Ominous by ViraMiller --...

BIGhART is Australia's leading arts & social change organization.Making art, Building communities, Driving change.30 years in operation, 62 communities engaged, 47 awards won, 550 artists contributed, 9, 500 people participated, 2. 6 million audience members.Can a skateboard ramp in the rainforest spark a global movement for justice, creativity, and environmental protection?In Part Two of our BIGhART Series, we ride along with Scott Rankin and the BIGhART team as they blend skate culture, Indigenous wisdom, and creative process into a powerful force for social change.Listen to Part One HereWhether it’s fighting for the endangered Tarkine rainforest or giving marginalized youth a platform to be seen and heard, BIGhART shows how art, patience, and deep listening can radically transform the world around us. If you’re wondering what change-making really looks like, this story will challenge and inspire you.Explore how skateboarding becomes both an art form and a mental health lifeline for young people at the edge of society.Hear how BIGhART’s long game—projects that unfold over decades—challenges quick-fix activism by centering deep community invitation and legacy-building.Learn why creativity rooted in respect, reciprocity, and humility is essential to confronting cultural wounds, environmental destruction, and systems of injustice.Scott Rankin BIOScott Rankin co-founded Big hART with friend John Bakes in 1992. As CEO and Creative Director, Scott leads the overarching vision for all Big hART projects – from pilot through to legacy. A leader and teacher in the field of social and cultural innovation, Scott provides daily mentorship and knowledge transfer to all Big hART staff so that they can in turn lead our projects with confidence.An award winning writer and director in his own right, Scott’s works have been included many times in major arts festivals. His reputation is built on a quarter of a century of work, creating, funding and directing large-scale projects in diverse communities with high needs, in isolated settings.Big hART is Scott’s passionate contribution to the arts and society.Notable Mentions:BIGhART:Ngapartji Ngapartji: Big hART designed the Ngapartji Ngapartji project to raise awareness of Indigenous language loss, and the lack of an national Indigenous languages policy.Tasmania is an island state of Australia.[15] It is located 240 kilometres (150 miles) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated from it by the Bass Strait, with the archipelago containing the southernmost point of the country.Vaslav Nijinsky was a Russian[4] ballet dancer and choreographer of Polish ancestry.[5] He is regarded as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century.[3]Albert Namatjira: 28 July 1902 – 8 August 1959) was an Arrernte painter from the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia, widely considered one of the most notable Australian artists.Namatjira Project: Namatjira Project began as a collaboration with members of the Namatjira family and the Hermannsburg community in Central Australia in 2009.The long-term project has centered around an award-winning theatre performance, Namatjira, seen by 50,000 people, telling the story of Albert Namatjira, with his family on stage.Skate of Mind is a grassroots, national touring collective of skaters, filmmakers, photographers, and artists. We run community engagement events, workshops, music, art, digital art, projection, and soundscape design in regional communities.SKATE is a groundbreaking new work in development fusing the art of skateboarding with percussion and projection. A breathtaking sensory experience for all the family, SKATE sees a cast of talented male and female skateboarders perform jaw-dropping feats and create infectious rhythms with their skateboards.Element SkateboardsWinnie the Pooh: Winnie-the-Pooh (also known as Edward Bear, Pooh Bear or simply Pooh) is a fictional anthropomorphic teddy bear created by English author A. A. Milne and English illustrator E. H. Shepard.Ngangkari (a traditional aboriginal healer)The Acoustic Life of Sheds: Acoustic Life of Sheds invites leading composers, musicians and artists to celebrate these architectural embodiments of rural, industrial or maritime culture as memory sound- shells by reimagining them for audiences in the landscape or on the foreshore.Project O: Project O is a prevention initiative driving change for young women in rural, regional and high needs communities.Acknowledgements:MusicStudio (Ernabella School Hall) recording of music from the stage show 'Ngapartji Ngapartji'. 1 Ngayunya Wantiriyalku I Shall Be ReleasedPerformed by Makinti Minutjukur, Unurupa Kulyuru, Rhoda Tjitayi, Renita Stanley, Andrew MacGregor, Sara Luither, Beth Sometimes, Steve Fraser. Written by Bob Dylan - Translated by Lorna Wilson, Tom Holder, Dora (Amanyi) Haggie, Rhoda Tjitayi, Unurupa Kulyuru, Beth Sometimes. Recorded by Steve Fraser.Dream-Shifting - by Steven F Allenhttps://freesound.org/people/audiomirage/https://soundclick.com/AuDioChosisStevenFAllenAuDioMiRage*******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...