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

What if the key to undoing bias and building empathy isn’t just policy or protest—but a complicated art and neuroscience dance that facilitates the rewiring the human brain?

In this final chapter of our three-part Breaking Ice series, we move from the stage to the synapse. After witnessing how theater can unearth hidden truths and foster real conversations, we now explore the neuroscience behind it all. What’s really happening inside us when we struggle with difference? And how can understanding the brain help advance the work of DEI?

• Dive into the emerging science of imagination, fear, empathy, and storytelling—and what it reveals about our social behaviors.
• Learn why art, especially performance, is such a powerful tool for reconfiguring how we perceive “the other.”
• Hear a heartfelt, layperson’s journey into the brain’s wiring—and how Breaking Ice exemplifies the potential for rewiring hearts and minds through shared experience.

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 Part 1 of this series

LISTEN TO Part 2 of this series

Change the Story / All Episodes 

Breaking 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]

Change the Story 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

Question 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

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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.

Can a scripted performance shift the way people feel—and act—about race, identity, and inclusion in their workplace?

This is Chapter Two of our three-part journey into the world of Breaking Ice, a theater-based DEI program pushing against the mounting tide of resistance and rollback. Building on the emotional groundwork laid in Part 1, we now go deeper into what happens after the curtain rises—when the performance ends and the real conversations begin.

• Step inside the post-performance debrief: a high-stakes dialogue where vulnerability, pushback, and transformation collide.
• Learn how Breaking Ice uses improvisation, humor, and empathy to defuse defensiveness and invite deeper understanding.
• Hear powerful reflections from both cast and audience members as they confront their own assumptions—and open up to change.

If Part 1 opened your eyes, Part 2 will challenge your heart. Have a listen as Breaking Ice takes DEI off the page and into real lives, one courageous conversation at a time.

Can artists revive the powerful, but increasingly vilified, values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in America?

As DEI initiatives face growing backlash and politicization, many wonder whether the ideals of inclusion and justice can still thrive. This show originally shared in 2023 is the first episode of a three-part series that invites listeners into a raw, eye-opening performance that uses the language of live theater to confront bias, spark honest dialogue, and explore how the arts can illuminate our shared humanity in even the most divided spaces.

• Discover how Breaking Ice, a pioneering DEI theater program, turns lived workplace tension into transformative learning experiences.
• Hear firsthand stories from healthcare professionals reckoning with identity, bias, and privilege in a system built on healing.
• Learn how art can dismantle defensiveness and create space for courageous, necessary conversations in complex institutions.

Listen now to witness how storytelling and performance are cutting through silence to challenge division and inspire real change from the inside out.

*****

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.

Not likely, but if you’ve ever felt like your creative work is meaningful but invisible in the fight for justice and transformation, this episode digs deep into how storytelling isn’t just a method—it’s the foundation. We’re in a moment where the narratives driving political and cultural realities are being rewritten, and artists are at the heart of this seismic shift.

• Discover why “Art is Change” isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a strategic move to make vital work more visible and more impactful.
• Learn how artists across the world are using creativity to counter dominant, damaging narratives and reclaim public imagination.
• Hear real stories of transformation, from mosaic-filled lots in Philly to clown-led protests in Serbia, showing how art actively reshapes communities.

Tune in to uncover how changing the story—and the title—can change the world, one bold act of creativity at a time.

On ART IS CHANGE:

• Lily Yeh: A Conversation With Lily Yeh
• Dijana Milosevic: Arts Driven Social Change & Environmental Justice In Serbia
• Ben Fink: Cultural Organizing in Appalachia: Building Trust, Equity, and Economic Resilience – Part 1 and Part 2

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• Bill Cleveland – Host of the podcast, long-time community arts worker, founder of the Center for the Study of Art & Community. Learn more
• Slobodan Milošević – Former Serbian leader during whose regime artists staged creative protests. Learn more

• Village of Arts and Humanities – Community arts organization in North Philadelphia that evolved from Lily Yeh’s project. Learn more
• Performing Our Future – A cultural organizing initiative based in Appalachia, Kentucky, through Appalshop. Learn more
• Mass protests in Serbia – Referenced in the context of creative resistance during the Milošević regime. Learn more

• Appalshop – Media, arts, and education center in Appalachia. Learn more
• Center for the Study of Art & Community – Host organization of the podcast and Bill Cleveland’s longtime initiative. Learn more

• Change the Story / Change the World – Original name of the podcast. Archived Episodes
• Art is Change – New name of the podcast aimed at increasing clarity and discoverability. Listen here
• The “Authoritarian Story” – Conceptual framing used in the episode to critique political narratives and elevate the counter-storytelling role of art. Read more on narrative power

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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.

In our divided world , building genuine, arts animated cross-sector collaboration is more than a goal—it’s a necessity. This episode dives into how activist artists and cultural organizers can forge meaningful connections with their community social change partners and why our current systems often fail to support that.

• Discover the innovative approach of the Horizons Project and how it’s redefining movement-building through authentic relationship weaving.
• Learn why sharing stories and cultural engagement are crucial in combating authoritarianism and fostering a thriving democracy.
• Understand how vulnerability, play, and arts are not just tools, but essential strategies for social transformation and collective sense-making.

Tune in now to explore how Julia Roig and the Horizons Project are laying the groundwork for a new, interconnected way of organizing for democracy and justice.

Here is a categorized list of all mentioned individuals, events, organizations, and publications, each accompanied by a brief description and a hyperlink for more in-depth information:

Julia Roig – Founder and Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project, focusing on bridging peacebuilding, social justice, and democracy.

Cristine Michie – Host of the PlayFull Podcast, where she discusses the role of play in social change.

Jarvis Williams – Pastor and speaker who discusses the paradoxes within institutions and the importance of authentic belonging.

Míriam Juan-Torres González – Moderator at the Othering & Belonging Institute, facilitating discussions on inclusive democracy.

🗓️ Events

PeaceCon 2023 – An annual conference hosted by the Alliance for Peacebuilding, focusing on peacebuilding strategies and collaborations.

National Week of Conversation 2023 – A series of events aimed at fostering dialogue and bridging divides in society.

🏢 Organizations

The Horizons Project – An initiative led by Julia Roig that aims to weave together efforts for a just, inclusive, and peaceful democracy.

Alliance for Peacebuilding – A network of organizations working to build sustainable peace and security worldwide.

Othering & Belonging Institute – A research institute at UC Berkeley dedicated to advancing inclusion and belonging for all.

Beyond Intractability – A knowledge base and community focused on addressing complex and intractable conflicts

Narrative Engagement Across Difference (NEAD) Project – A research initiative exploring how narrative practices can foster collaboration across divides.

Collaborating Across Differences to Reduce Authoritarianism – A report detailing strategies for collaboration to counter authoritarianism.

Making Peace Visible Podcast – A podcast featuring discussions on peacebuilding, including an interview with Julia Roig.

PlayFull Podcast Episode with Julia Roig – An episode where Julia Roig discusses the importance of play in social change.

Classical Loop Guitar 4 Chords by ValentinSosnitskiy -- https://freesound.org/s/568315/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Stardust, Minimalist Piano Background Music That Evokes Emotion by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/546087/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

78 PULSE: A Dark and Ominous Soundscape for Mysteries and Suspense by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/541944/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

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What if the secret to revitalizing today’s creative workforce lies in a forgotten 1970s government program?

In a time when society urgently seeks sustainable ways to support artists and strengthen communities, in this episode, the second of two, we revisit the CETA Arts Program—a bold experiment that transformed artists into public servants. You’ll hear how this unexpected initiative is influencing today’s creative policy landscape and how its legacy is being reimagined in pandemic-era artist relief efforts.

• Learn how CETA’s community-centered structure inspired programs like Creatives Rebuild New York, blending public service with creative employment.
• Discover the crucial real-world skills—like negotiation, humility, and adaptability—that artists must master but never learn in art school.
• Hear compelling personal stories of missteps, breakthroughs, and the often invisible work of artists who repair, reimagine, and rebuild community infrastructure.

Tune in to uncover timeless lessons and practical tools from an unsung chapter in U.S. history that’s helping shape the future of art and civic engagement today.

Notable Mentions:

Here’s alist of People, Events, Organizations, and Publications mentioned in the episode, each with a brief description and clickable links to learn more. P

1. People

• Virginia Maksymowicz – Sculptor, longtime CETA artist (1978–1979), and co-director of the CETA Arts Legacy Project based in Philadelphia 
• Blaise Tobia – Photographer, CETA participant documenting the NYC project, professor at Drexel, and co-director of the CETA Arts Legacy Project 
• Ted Berger – Arts advocate, former Executive Director of NYFA, and early leader in NYC’s CETA program 
• John Kreidler – Architect of San Francisco’s first CETA Artists program in 1974, helped shape putting federal funds into art 
• Ruth Asawa – Renowned sculptor and educator who helped launch the first CETA Arts experiment in San Francisco 
• Sarah Calderón – Director of Creatives Rebuild New York who consulted with Virginia and Blaise on CETA models 
• Molly Garfinkel – City Lore archivist who has supported the CETA Arts Legacy Project since 2017 

2. Events / Programs

• CETA Artists Project (1978–1979) – Part of the federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, this was the largest artist employment initiative since the WPA. Artists served in community centers, schools, prisons—and shaped public life through art 
• CETA Arts Legacy Project – An initiative by former CETA artists (Virginia, Blaise, and others) to document and preserve the CETA movement across the U.S. beginning around 2016–2017 
• Creatives Rebuild New York (2021–2024) – A $125 million pandemic-era initiative combining artist employment slots and guaranteed income to support creative workers in New York 

3. Organizations

• Cultural Council Foundation (CCF) – NYC nonprofit that administered the CETA Artists Project, matching artists to community assignments 
• City Lore / Place Matters – NYC-based organization that partnered with the CETA Arts Legacy Project to provide institutional support 
• New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) – National arts service organization where Ted Berger was Executive Director 
• Tides Center – Fiscal sponsor for Creatives Rebuild New York 
• Foundation for the Community of Artists (FCA) – Managed documentation of the CETA Artists Project, including Artworkers News publication 

4. Publications

• The Gift by Lewis Hyde – A classic reflection on the gift economy and why creativity transcends commodification; cited as an essential text for artists in the episode 
• Artworkers News – A newsletter later renamed Art & Artists, published by FCA during the first CETA year to document artist assignments 

******

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.

Did you know the U.S. once launched a massive jobs program that empowered over 20,000 artists, and creative support staff—and then let it vanish from collective memory?

For artists, educators, and community leaders seeking sustainable support for creative work, the forgotten story of the CETA Arts Program offers a powerful historical lesson. In a time of economic uncertainty, this 1970s initiative not only employed artists—it embedded them into the heart of local communities to spark cultural and social change.

• Discover how two artists-turned-historians uncovered the lost legacy of a program that transformed the lives of thousands of creatives
• Learn how government-backed art initiatives planted the seeds for enduring institutions like Brooklyn’s BACA Downtown and Philadelphia’s Painted Bride.
• Hear powerful stories of artists bridging divides, inspiring youth, and reshaping neighborhoods—lessons that resonate powerfully today.

Tune in to uncover the hidden history of America’s largest investment in artists and why it still matters for the future of creative community work.

This is a list of the key figures, events, organizations, and publications discussed in the podcast episode, offering pathways for further exploration into the legacy of the CETA Arts Program.

People

Virginia Maksymowicz: An American sculptor known for installations that explore social issues, often incorporating the female form. She was a participant in the NYC CETA Artists Project and co-leads the CETA Arts Legacy Project.

Blaise Tobia: A contemporary photographer and professor emeritus at Drexel University. Tobia documented the NYC CETA Artists Project and collaborates with Maksymowicz on the CETA Arts Legacy Project.

Bill Cleveland: Host of the podcast “Change the Story / Change the World” and director of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.

Richard Nixon: The 37th President of the United States, who signed the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) into law in 1973.

Abe Beame: Mayor of New York City from 1974 to 1977, during the implementation of the CETA program.

Ernie Green: Assistant Secretary of Labor who announced CETA funding allocations to New York City.

Alan Lomax: Renowned folklorist and ethnomusicologist, referenced in the podcast for his approach to cultural documentation.

Jane Goldberg: A tap dancer and historian who collaborated with fellow CETA artist Charles “Cookie” Cook.

Charles “Cookie” Cook: A legendary tap dancer who partnered with Jane Goldberg during the CETA program.

Ellsworth Ausby: An artist known for integrating sculpture with performance, who initiated collaborative projects during the CETA era.

Charles “Chino” Garcia:Co-founder of En Foco, a Bronx-based photography organization that emerged during the CETA period.

Charlene Victor:Director of the Brooklyn Arts and Cultural Association, instrumental in transforming St. Boniface School into a cultural center with the help of CETA artists.

Rosita Enrique:Director of an afterschool program in the Bronx that collaborated with CETA artists to enhance arts education.

Tyrone “Cool” Jones:A student in East New York who discovered a passion for sculpture through CETA art programs.

🗓️ Events

Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)

A federal program enacted in 1973 to provide job training and employment in public service, including the arts.

CETA Artists Project (1977–1980): A New York City initiative under CETA that employed artists across disciplines to work in community settings.

Fort Apache, The Bronx: A 1981 film depicting the challenges in the South Bronx, an area where CETA artists were active.

🏛️ Organizations

Cultural Council Foundation: A nonprofit that administered the CETA Artists Project in New York City, facilitating artist placements in community organizations.

En Foco: A Bronx-based nonprofit supporting photographers of diverse backgrounds, which collaborated with CETA artists.

Painted Bride Art Center: A Philadelphia arts venue that expanded its programming and staff through CETA funding.

Brandywine Workshop and Archives: A Philadelphia-based printmaking organization that grew significantly during the CETA era.

People’s Light and Theatre Company: A professional nonprofit theatre in Malvern, Pennsylvania, that benefited from CETA support in its early years.

New York Botanical Garden: A cultural institution in the Bronx that hosted CETA artists for community art projects.

High Rock Park: A Staten Island nature preserve where CETA artists conducted environmental art and education programs.

📚 Publications

Sculpture Magazine: A publication that has featured reviews of Virginia Maksymowicz’s work.

Artblog: An online platform that published an article on the collaborative work of Maksymowicz and Tobia.

******

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.

What can we learn from artists who survived the chaos of 1980s prisons—and how can their lessons help us resist authoritarianism today?

From the Center for the Study of Art & Community, this is Change the Story / Change the World: A chronicle of art and social change, where artivists share and learn the skills and strategies they need to thrive as creative community leaders. My name is Bill Cleveland. 

As censorship and threats escalate for activist artists and community leaders, navigating today’s polarized world demands more than passion. This episode draws powerful insights from prison arts programs to help creatives and organizers thrive amid rising societal conflict and control.

• Discover 11 practical rules for building credibility, resilience, and respect in high-stakes, divided environments.
• Learn why sustained relationships and long-term commitment are the foundation for real, transformative change.
• Gain essential strategies for navigating us-versus-them traps, telling bold yet responsible stories, and protecting mental health in toxic climates.

Listen now to unlock time-tested survival strategies that can empower your activism, deepen your community work, and sustain your creative mission.

Bill Cleveland: Host of Change the Story, Change the World. Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, he draws on decades of experience working with artists in prisons and conflict zones.

Jim Reeves: Author featured in previous episodes, discussed teaching and writing inside prisons.

Noel Raymond: Theater director and cultural leader, spoke about operating arts organizations under political duress.

Vern McKee: Incarcerated artist, president of Vacaville Prison’s Art and Musicians Guilds, who developed the core “Verne’s Rules” that guide arts engagement in high-stakes environments .

2. Events

California’s Arts-in-Corrections Program (1980-90's): A transformative initiative bringing arts education into state prisons during the 1980s, led by Bill Cleveland. A current program under the same name is being operated by the California Arts Council and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is carrying on the program

The Troubles (Northern Ireland): A period of political and sectarian conflict (late 1960s–1998) cited for comparison with the U.S. authoritarian climate.

Khmer Rouge Regime (Cambodia): Post-genocide rebuilding efforts included cultural recovery, referenced here as a parallel to U.S. challenges.

Serbia under Slobodan Milošević: Cited as a reference point for understanding repression and the role of art in recovery.

California Prison Lockdowns (1980s): Specific reference to increased suicide and stress during blocked access to arts programs.

3. Organizations

Center for the Study of Art and Community: Producer of the podcast, promotes creative engagement in communities and conflict zones.

Vacaville Prison Art & Musicians Guilds: Peer-led arts guilds operating inside the prison that played a critical role in early prison arts programming.

Freesound.org: Open source sound effects library used for podcast production.

4. Publications/Media

Change the Story, Change the World: The podcast series highlighting activist art and community practice.

The MAGA Machine: A term referencing the political and cultural fallout from the “Make America Great Again” movement, discussed as a rising source of censorship and pressure on arts practitioners.

*****

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.

Can the right song, painting, or museum exhibit spark real political change? What if culture is the missing strategy in today’s social movements?

From the Center for the Study of Art & Community, this is Change the Story / Change the World: A chronicle of art and social change, where activist artists and cultural organizers share and learn what they need to thrive as creative change agents. My name is Bill Cleveland.

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.

Ken Grossinger, has been a leading strategist in movements for social and economic justice for thirty-five years, in unions, philanthropic and community organizations.

For two decades, Ken was one of the labor movement's leading strategists. He represented workers in the Service Employees International Union and then directed legislative field operations for the AFL-CIO, running large-scale issue campaigns including against the privatization of Social Security and for health care reform, economic and civil rights. Grossinger is widely regarded as an expert in pioneering national field strategies for labor and community organizations and is well known for building long-enduring alliances between the two.

Formerly a community organizer, Grossinger co-launched the Human SERVE Fund, a national advocate organization that initiated and led the successful decade-long fight for passage of the National Voter Registration Act, commonly known as Motor Voter.

Grossinger is active on several boards including the University of the District of Columbia (Trustee), Hirshhorn Museum (Trustee), People’s Action Institute (Director), Skylight Pictures (Director), and the CrossCurrents Foundation, (Chair).

Among other cultural projects, he co-executive produced the award-winning Netflix documentaries Social Dilemma and Bleeding Edge and served as Executive Producer of Boycott and the forthcoming film Borderland.

Ken is the author of ART WORKS: How Organizers and Artists are Creating a Better World Together, published by the New Press in July 2023. He lives part-time in Washington, DC., and Telluride, Colorado.

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.

The MAGA storm system continues to exert a profound influence on community members, activist artists and cultural organizers living and working in Minneapolis' Powderhorn Central Community.

Bill Cleveland's dialogue with Noel Raymond reveals the complexities of navigating activism amidst the destabilizing forces fast moving Trumpian juggernaut. Raymond describes the fraught material emotional landscape faced by artists and cultural organizers, characterized by feelings of fear, rage, and disorientation.

Takeaways:

• Understand why the disorientation that we're all experiencing is used as a tactic to prevent resistance, and that recognizing this helps us stay grounded.
• Find out how an organization like Pillsbury House, uses the practice of sanctuary is a means of both safety and. And strategy.
• Learn how creating spaces of safety and joy and cultural expression can be a powerful form of defiance and that the communities stories, whether they're in small circles or on stage, are a lifeline.

Other Key Points:

And when people tell their truths without mediation, they build solidarity and power and the possibility of change.

The discussion emphasizes the critical need for community support and the importance of creating safe spaces for artistic expression.

Through the lens of Pillsbury House's mission, the conversation underscores the power of storytelling as a tool for resistance and empowerment. Raymond's insights into the organization's efforts to center marginalized voices, particularly during moments of heightened tension, illuminate the intersection of art and activism.

As the episode unfolds, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their roles within their communities and the ways in which they can contribute to building solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity. Ultimately, this episode serves as both a poignant commentary on the challenges of the present and an inspiring call to action for those seeking to effect meaningful change.

In this episode, host Bill Cleveland sits down with Noel Raymond of Pillsbury House + Theatre to explore how artists and cultural organizers are navigating political backlash, erasure, and community survival in the heart of Minneapolis. Below is a curated list of the people, organizations, events, and references that came up during their powerful conversation.

People

Bill Cleveland: Host of Change the Story / Change the World and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community.

Noel Raymond: Senior Director of Narrative Arts and Culture at Pillsbury House + Theatre, leading narrative strategy and performance-based organizing.

Mike Hoyt: Artist and cultural organizer at Pillsbury House + Theatre, noted for his community work and collaboration with Noel.

Judy Munsen: Composer of the podcast’s original theme and soundscape.

Events & Social Movements

Trans Day of Visibility: Annual event on March 31 to honor and raise awareness for the transgender community.

Drag Story Hour: Inclusive storytelling events for children hosted by drag performers to celebrate diversity and creativity.

Day Without Immigrants: Protest movement where immigrants stay home from work to demonstrate their vital contributions to society.

Story Circles: A democratic storytelling process used for healing, organizing, and performance creation.

Free Southern Theater: Civil Rights-era Black theater company dedicated to raising consciousness and community power through storytelling facilitated by Story Clircles.

Organizations & Institutions

Pillsbury House + Theatre: Minneapolis-based community anchor blending social services with professional arts to serve and empower local residents.

KRSM Radio: Community radio station in South Minneapolis offering space for local voices and independent media.

Minnesota Department of Health: Mentioned in relation to recent public health program defunding impacting marginalized communities.

ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement): Federal agency referenced in relation to traumatic immigration enforcement activity.

Tufts University: Referenced for a student whose detention by ICE sparked community trauma and activism.

Full Cycle: Former Pillsbury House youth-focused bike shop and training space — site of Pillsbury House’s new community facility.

Center for the Study of Art and Community: Podcast producer and longtime supporter of arts-based civic work.

Media & Tools Referenced

Change the Story / Change the World Podcast: A series exploring the intersection of art, justice, and community transformation.

GoFundMe: Mentioned as a means of supporting continued community-based media and resistance efforts.

FreeSound.org: Source of audio effects used in the podcast production.

Want to go deeper into this episode? Listen to the full podcast here or support the project through the GoFundMe link in the show notes. Let’s keep these stories alive and amplified.*

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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.