Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss exciting upcoming projects and start thinking big about impact. Madeleine shares her interview with Carrie Ziegler, a community-engaged artist focused on youth and environmental issues. Madeleine and Jeff discuss Carrie’s impact, youth ownership of creative work, and the ripple effects of community-engaged creative projects led by young people.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including:

ABOUT CARRIE ZIEGLER:

Carrie Ziegler facilitates powerful collaborative art projects that catalyze real environmental and social change. Recently, one of her collaborative art in action projects contributed to the passing of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan AND a resolution stating we are in a Climate Emergency. She has worked with many organizations and people who are struggling with apathy and lack of hope in light of all of the environmental injustices in the world. When they create art around these issues, collaboratively with other people, they are rocketed out of apathy and into action. This led Carrie to truly understand the transformative power of art, and the power of creating something together that is much bigger than any one of us can do on our own.

This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk; the executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Jeff and Rachael catch up on the evolutions of their work. Jeff shares an interview with James Wells of Crayola discussing how arts educators can drive change in their schools and the broader field. Rachael and Jeff amplify key ideas about educational equity and racial justice.

In this episode you’ll learn:

ABOUT JAMES WELLS:

James is the Education Manager at Crayola. He brings his creative energy and leadership to every speaking presentation, engaging participants to think differently. James has been dedicated to supporting arts in schools, working closely with teachers and administrators across the US. He is the host of a digital content series, Creativity Tips, and a founding member of Crayola’s Diversity and Inclusion Council. Prior to Crayola, James was the Fine Arts Instructional Advisor for Shelby County School District in Memphis, Tennessee and the Art Education Coordinator for the Tennessee Arts Commission in Nashville, Tennessee. He has participated in leading numerous initiatives that kept art at the forefront of education including revising art standards for the state of Tennessee. James was recently named 2022 Tennessee Art Educator of the Year. In addition to his work at Crayola, James continues to be involved in art education as Board President of Tennessee Art Education Association, board trustee with the National Art Education Foundation as well as a leader within the National Art Education Association as an alum of the School for Art Leaders Program.

This episode was produced by executive producer, Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff examine the changing of seasons, workloads, and how artists and institutions navigate that change. Madeleine shares her interview with SImon Sharkey, a Scottish theatre-maker and activist, who provides powerful stories and visions for the role of artists and institutions in society. Madeleine and Jeff think about how to apply this change of frame in their work.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Please download the transcript here.

ABOUT SIMON SHARKEY:

​​Simon was one of the founding directors of The National theatre of Scotland, where he pioneered the “Theatre Without Walls” approach across Scotland and the rest of the world. Over 15 years with NTS he created a program of genre defying participatory and professional arts projects and festivals that reached globally and impacted locally.  Since leaving NTS in 2018, to continue his work,  he formed “The Necessary Space” which he calls a “Theatre of Opportunity.” He is currently engaged in several projects across the world including Brazil, India, Jamaica, Trinidad, Austria, Germany, Canada and of course Scotland. He was one of the first people in the UK to receive a National Endowment of Science, Technology and Arts (NESTA) “international cultural leadership award.” He is a director, writer, coach, mentor, speaker and most recently, a documentary film maker. He works on epic and intimate scales with site specific theatre and theatre for social change.

This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk; executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the role of museums as institutions for community belonging. Ashraf interviews Nick Duarte, a musician and senior manager of community engagement at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, who manages their youth and music programs. They discuss the unique positionality of museums in their communities and this museum's intentional shift towards service.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including:

ABOUT NICK DUARTE: A long time Colorado musician, Nick Duarte has lead the rock band 'Post Paradise' since 2009. He is a senior manager at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery overseeing youth music programming as well as events and projects throughout the rest of the museum and dome theater.

This episode was produced by Ashraf Hasham; executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Ashraf discuss municipal leadership through and for the arts. Karla interviews Rossana Rodrguez-Sanchez, an educator, artist, activist, and alderwoman of Chicago's 33rd ward.  They discuss the role of artists at the decision-making table and the importance of the politics of care. Karla and Ashraf debrief by thinking big about municipal and local leadership by creatives.

In this episode you’ll learn:

ABOUT ROSSANA RODRIGUEZ-SANCHEZ: A mother and resident of the Albany Park neighborhood. Prior to taking office, Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez worked as a youth educator and was involved in community groups as an activist and organizer.

Her priorities as Alderwoman include protecting neighborhood affordability, supporting our ward’s immigrant population, young people, and diverse communities, and creating more democratic processes so that ward residents are involved in the decisions that impact their lives.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez has been a lifelong advocate for public education, labor rights, and the wellbeing of youth and families. Her career as an educator includes eight years as a director and mentor in a nationally acclaimed youth theater company in Albany Park, where she guided high school students to fulfill their artistic and academic potential.  Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez is the first Latinx Alderman to represent the 33rd Ward. She serves as chair of the immigration committee on the City Council’s Latino Caucus and is a member of the Progressive Caucus.

She serves on the City Council’s committees on Education and Child Development, Environmental Protection and Energy, Ethics and Government Oversight, Health and Human Relations, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, and Committees and Rules.

This episode was produced by Karla Estela Rivers; executive producer is  Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff discuss some exciting professional news for Karla in Chicago! Karla interviews Lizette Garza about her work disrupting the challenges of philanthropy to re-center on those most impacted. Karla and Jeff debrief by discussing strategies which are transferable across the sector.

In this episode you’ll learn:

ABOUT LIZETTE GARZA: Lizette Garza, Program Manager, is a Pilsen native with a background in youth development, nonprofit management and arts education. She aims to connect people to meaningful resources and bridge communities through programming and cultural events. Previously, Lizette worked at After School Matters as a Program Specialist and ElevArte Community Studio as a Teaching Artist for a Hip Hop education program. In addition, she was a 2017 Giving Project participant at Crossroads Fund.

This episode was produced by Karla Estela Rivera. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? Jeff interrupts our normal schedule to amplify the work of artists and educators responding to gun violence in the United States. Jeff interviews Michael Cotey, founder of #Enough Plays to End Gun Violence; they discuss the role of our community in joining the movement.

In this episode you’ll learn:

ABOUT MICHAEL COTEY: A Chicago-based, Milwaukee-bred theatre-maker. He has directed at Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act, First Stage, Northwestern University, UW-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Illinois Wesleyan University and Youngblood Theatre. Michael has also assisted at Goodman Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, and Milwaukee Rep, for prominent directors, like Tony Award-winners Mary Zimmerman and Robert Falls. From 2009-2013 he was the Founding Artistic Director of Youngblood Theatre in Milwaukee. Regularly celebrated by the theater community and the press as one of the most exciting new Milwaukee theater ventures in decades, Youngblood provided professional opportunities to early-career emerging artists, introduced the works of provocative new playwrights, and staged theatre in raw found spaces that invoked Milwaukee’s storied industrial past. He's taught at UW-Madison, Roosevelt University, Northwestern, and UW-Milwaukee. He was both the member of Directors Lab Chicago and the FAIR Program at Oregon Shakespeare. Michael graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Acting and from Northwestern University with an MFA in Directing. In 2014 he was named UWM’s “Graduate of the Last Decade.” Learn more at www.michaelcotey.com

This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff discuss artists in politics. Rachael shares about her experience running for elected office and her conversation with artist and environmental activist, Jess Harwood. They discuss using art to convey complex messages and empowering youth, like the School Strikers, to take social and civic actions.

In this episode you’ll learn:

ABOUT JESS HARWOOD: An illustrator, communications professional and environmental campaigner, living and working on Gadigal Land in Sydney, Australia. Jess believes art needs a purpose. Much of her art is connected with climate change campaigning or raising awareness about the impacts of biodiversity loss and has been used by climate campaigns and featured on the BBC.

This episode was produced by Rachael Jacobs. Its Executive Editor is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

During this episode of Why Change? Jeff chats with members of the Creative Generation Collective - Vida, André, and Val - about their reflections from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America national conference held from May 2-6, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. They discuss the role of the arts in positive youth development, the elements which affect an arts-based youth development program, and the stories of impact from young creatives and their adult allies. The group ends with bold calls to actions for youth-facing adult practitioners who work with young creatives: listen and get out of the way!

In this episode you’ll learn:

1) The role of the arts in community-based youth development programs;

2) The elements of strong practice and trends in professional development for adult allies; and

3) What we can all do to support young creatives in out-of-school time settings.

This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC

In this episode you’ll learn:

1) About the amazing work of Francine and Plato Cultural, which is currently happening in Brazil and is creating brand new approaches to learning that will be adopted in schools throughout her region;

2) How play and imagination can have a central role in combatting climate change by activating young people to be caretakers of their land;

3) The kinds of condition changes we can prove when Teaching Artists embed impact assessment into their work.

ABOUT FRANCINE KLEIMAN- Francine (Porto Alegre, Brazil) is an interdisciplinary artist and theatre maker. She holds a BA in Theatre at UFRGS (Brazil, 2011) and MA in Performance Making at Goldsmiths University of London (UK,2017). Further training with ODIN Teatret, LISPA, Complicité, David Glass, Melanie Wilson, among others.

She is the co-founder of the immersive theatre company Teatro Geográfico (BR) and the start-up PLATÔ Cultural (UK / BR). In addition to the projects with these companies, she has also worked as an interdisciplinary theatre maker with Evan Reinhold (UK) Teatro Koreja (ITALY), Graeme Miller (UK), Depósito de Teatro (BR), Coletivo VAGA (BR), Teatro da Vertigem (BR), and as a theatre director in the documentary Tell My Story (UK / BR). She was a resident artist at METROPOLISFESTIVAL Site Specific Residency (Denmark 2019) and LANDXCAPES PUGLIA (Italy2018) promoted by BJCEM Institution and UKYA. Francine Kliemann, has a good record of creating meaningful work with young people in different projects in Brazil, ranging from drama schools, participatory arts projects and community engagement. In September 2018 , she was a teaching artist in the project “TELL MY STORY”, working with young-at risk women aged 09 to 17 years old from the communities of Candido Sales and Medina in Brazil. The documentary produced by the UK production company RAIZ STORIES in partnership with the charity MENINA DANCA recorded them getting ready over a 3 week participatory theatre process to perform in a theatre piece that was shown to their communities. Between 2011 and2014, Francine worked in the research, development and facilitation of the project “BEING A TREE GAME” a multisensorial participatory experience combining performance, technology and biology science for kids aged 8 to 10 years old in poor communities of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil produced by ESTUDIO NOMADE. Her research interests include dramaturgy of space, immersive education and site-specific placemaking. She is driven by the curiosity of exploring new performative and artistic formats that can bring unexpected layers to the fabric of reality and trigger new ways of sensing, experiencing and perceiving the world.

This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk. Its Executive Editor is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. Creative Generation’s Digital Media Producer is Daniel Stanley. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC