Introduction
Welcome to the Arts & Creativity topic in the Commons Social Change Library. We have gathered a wide range of materials to inform the public about options for utilising art and creativity in social change activities.
Here are some suggested links. You can also narrow down the results in the Arts & Creativity Topic according to your interests by using the ‘Refine by Format’; ‘Refine by Topic’ (for cross overs with other topics eg Coalition Building); ‘Refine by Author’; and ‘Refine by Collection’ functions.
Get Started
To get started the Librarians recommend reading the following resources:
- Creative Activism: An Antidote to Despair
- Art and Campaigning: Lessons about the Effective Use of Art in Campaigns
- Changing the world via shock and beauty: Visual Artworks
- Items of Mass Instruction: Posters, Stickers, Memes and More
- Pranks, Performances and Protestivals: Public Events
- How Artistic Activism can move us Toward a Better Future
- Top Tips for Advanced Artistic Activism
- The Art(s) of Non-violent Activism
Examples
For practical examples of using art in campaigning read these:
- Craftivism: A Manifesto/Methodology
- Parasols of protest: How to make beautiful parasols to stand out at actions
- Ducks For Detainees: Art events for awareness raising
- Cheeky and Disorganized: Nannagogy and the Knitting Nannas
- Humorous Political Stunts: Nonviolent Public Challenges to Power
- Billboard Utilising Graffitists Against Unhealthy Promotions (BUGA UP) campaigns against tobacco advertising, Australia, 1978-1994
- Art for Change: Fundraising with art
- Pop the Vote: Culture On The Ballot: Artivism as a Call to Action for Democracy, see p 20
- “You can’t eat money”: An interview with Extinction Rebellion activist Jo Flanagan
- Creative activism: Hologram protest
- The art of inclusivity: Using art to welcome new migrant communities
- The Case for Laughter in Social Movements
- Warm Cookies of the Revolution: Creative Approaches to Civic Health
- Using humour and art with Pauline Pantsdown
- Sing the Way: Library of songs, poetry, and chants, from around the global climate movement
How-tos
- A Better World is Paintable: How to make banners, stencils, street murals, parachute banners, and more!
- Craftivism: A Manifesto Methodology
- Organize a Community Street Mural, Greenpeace Canada
- How to Make Puppets
- Screen Printing Basics (Video), Greenpeace Canada
- How to make a Wheatpaste Poster
- Learn to make a Parachute Banner, 350.org
- Banner Making Techniques (Video)
- How To Make Stencil Posters, The Centre for Cultural Power (Video)
- 10 Tips for Planning a Theatrical Action, Empowering Nonviolence
- Dance Flash Mob Step-by-Step How-To Kit, Backbone Campaign
- BDS Song and/or Dance Flash Mob Step-by-Step How-To Kit, End the Occupation
Want a Break from Reading?
- Listening to the Artivists: Podcasts about activism and the arts
- Listen and watch 40 years of Australian blockading songs
- The spirit of Mambesak – West Papuan freedom music
- TED talk: Activism needs introverts; An introduction to ‘craftivism’
Explore Further
- AEffect Planning and Assessment Toolset
- The Copenhagen Experiment: Measuring the Effectiveness of Creative vs. Conventional Forms of Activism
- Books to Read if you are Interested in Activism, Social Change & Justice
- Arts & Creativity Resources in the Commons library
- New to Activism, Organising and Campaigning? Start Here!
Attribution CC BY