Learn more about groups working to expand Civic Participation. The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, alongside our friends at Arts & Democracy co-presented We Decide: Arts, Culture, and Voting Power, a webinar focused on how arts, culture, and creative media can reimagine our democracy and revitalize civic participation, with a focus on historically disenfranchised communities. We were thrilled by the outpouring of ideas and enthusiasm to use arts and culture for building toward our 2020 election. If you missed the event or would like to watch it again, here is the link to the recording.
A highlight from the call was learning about the countless groups working to engage communities in civic democracy-building. Today, we are sharing with you a list of just some of those incredible groups. See one that interests you? Let us know, we can happily connect you, or you can reach out via the links below. We hope you find some inspiration for getting involved in your own community!
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Amended, a podcast from Humanities New York, tells a story of the struggle for women’s voting rights that is as diverse, unfinished and complex as the nation itself. IG: @amendedpodcast
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Americans for the Arts provides tools, research, and training that help arts professionals and community members become seasoned arts advocates.
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Amplifier is a design lab that builds art to amplify the voices of grassroots movements.
artist: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya
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Coloring pages created by local artists make it fun for everyone to share the how, when, and where of voting in the time of COVID. photo: Brandon Hawkins
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In Artists-In-Presidents: Fireside Chats for 2020, fifty artists assume authority over our collective future. They will address the nation over radio, podcast, social media, and in our virtual gallery.
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A national collective of volunteers who have turned their living rooms into “sweatshops” to provide proper PPE to essential workers and vulnerable communities. They also make masks for voter outreach effort volunteers.
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Dance/USA’s election toolkit and get-out-to-vote campaign ensures dance artists, professionals and supporters have accurate information about voting and know the issues impacting the dance industry and the arts sector.
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DDL is a real-time, rapid response network to disrupt and dismantle manipulation and disinformation efforts targeting Black, Afro Latinx, and Latinx communities. Join here
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IllumiNative amplifies contemporary Native voices, stories and issues to build power for Native peoples to advance justice, equity, and self-determination. Visit their newly launched Natives Vote campaign, Nativesvote
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A movement of designers, illustrators, animators and artists building cultural momentum around civic engagement and the issues affecting the country and world. 5000+ free and unbranded gifs and memes.
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Learn about election defense, media literacy, and disinformation programming.
Their newest election guide is “How to Talk with Friends & Family Who Share Misinformation.”
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Performance artist and comedian Kristina Wong talks to the Young Rebels about what it means to be a leader and why more women should run for office.
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StoryCenter director Joe Lambert hosts a workshop to geo-locate stories about place, getting out the vote, and resistance to voter suppression.
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State and Local Efforts |
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1HOOD Media is a collective of socially conscious artists & activists who utilize art to raise awareness in Pittsburgh, PA. On Facebook Live, they are building momentum around voting and the importance of using power of the people. Learn more here
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CFTA is a nonpartisan, comprehensive, multidisciplinary organization focused on advancing and building public awareness of the value and impact of arts, culture and creativity across California. Advocacy Resources. Learn more here.
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Sacramento, CA
Participatory storytelling initiatives in their public radio newsroom reach CA’s Central Valley, Sierra Nevada and Western Nevada. CapRadio asks what do you want to hear the candidates talk about?
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During #partyatthepolls, Los Angeles-based Creative Acts asks artists to perform outside polling stations. They also work with ArtAttacks to raise power and inspire incarcerated youth to vote and take action in their communities when they go home. IG AND FB: Creative_acts
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St. Louis, MO
The Dance the Vote initiative uses dance, spoken word and song to raise public awareness about the importance of using your voice at the polls. Note upcoming events on social media. Learn more here.
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October 1- 30, The Contemporary Art Modern Project (The Camp Gallery) in collaboration with Fiber Artists-Miami Association, (FAMA) will exhibit flags designed by women to facilitate free expression and provide a platform that gives voice to a community of artists and creators.
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In New Mexico, Generation Justice seeks to raise underrepresented voices, to heal from internalized wounds, to lift up narratives of hope and inspiration that build pathways to equity and leadership.
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In partnership with Art2Action, Inc, Houston in Action presents #HTownVotes, artist and cultural practitioner projects that will motivate youth and people of color in the Houston area to mobilize to vote. Follow @Art2Action, @HoustonInAction, and #HTownVotes on social media
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Jolt is the largest Latino progressive organization in Texas, focused on building the political power and influence of young Latinos. They bring together artists from all mediums to lift up stories of resistance.
photo: Migration is Sweet, Yocelyn Riojas, Edith Valle and Jesus Valdez
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Thurs, Sept 24th, 8-9:30pm
A virtual night of music, socializing, and voter mobilization.
Twitch @massartboston
Instagram: @massartboston
Youtube: @massart
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GROUPS WORKING ON U.S. CENSUS |
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In July 2020, Art on the Streets collaborated with ArtsWave, The Well, Wave Pool, the City of Cincinnati, and the Over-the-Rhine Community Council to create coloring pages to spread the word about completing the census.
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This census education initiative is supporting the residents of Louisiana with up-to date, accurate information, trainings, and a direct link to the unheard voices of the state and region.
photo: Count the Youth at KIPP, Ernest N. Morial Elementary.
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Working in NYC’s five boroughs with many community members that are “hard to count”, Arts & Democracy, The Laundromat Project, and NOCD-NY have encouraged NYC residents to fill out the U.S. Census, providing resources and ways to get involved.
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