Topic

Arts & Creativity

Creativity is an abundant resource! People have the ability to come up with imaginative means to challenge and solve the many problems in our society. Creative approaches can be fun and attention grabbing, engaging new audiences and supporters and catching opponents off-guard. Here are many examples along with practical tips.

Creative activism Start here

Suggestions from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in the Arts & Creativity topic area – to help you bring more art and heart to your social change activities.

Photo of the front cover of the Beautiful Trouble book.

Beautiful Trouble’s Guide to Activism During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Beautiful Trouble principles and creative tactics for activism while the world goes through the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes tactics for building a sense of community and continuing to pressure people in power.

The art of inclusivity Using art to welcome new migrant communities

How can you engage different groups in your communities? Run an art project! Dr Tammy Wong ran an art project in 2019 to engage new immigrants in Melbourne – using art as a tool to build inclusivity.

A young man with red hair and wearing glasses points to a blackboard sign titled 'Melbourne Fringe'. His finger points to the 'Sold Out' sticker next to 'Sustainable Standup'.

The case for laughter in social movements

Comedian and community organiser Maxwell J Smith writes about how our movements and campaigns need art, creativity and laughter.

Photograph of a leave which has a heart shaped hole in it.

Climactic Podcasts On Climate Grief and Resilience

A selection of Climactic podcast shows that focus on the emotional and psychological impacts of climate change and the strategies people are using to respond to them.

woman kneeling on the ground drawing in chalk the word resist inside yellow circle for a climate action in San Francisco

Top Tips for Advanced Artistic Activism

A clear concise checklist from the Creative Center for Activism of important things to remember when planning an artistic action.

Person dressed up with cow and sign that says 'I fart it is an issue" holding a petition.

The Copenhagen Experiment Measuring the relative effectiveness of creative vs. conventional forms of activism

The Copenhagen experiment took place in Denmark in 2018 and discovered that creative activism was more effective than conventional forms of activism.

Art of Bunnings employees on garage door and fence with speech bubble saying "just dropping our penalty rates"

Creative activism 101 An antidote for despair

Creative troublemaking! What is creative activism? Why do we use creative tactics? What are the advantages of using cheek, shock and surprise?

Letterbox with YES written on it and rainbow colours in support of gay marriage rights

Changing the world via shock and beauty Visual Artworks

Creative tactics for social change: Different ways of spreading messages and information in a creative way, including placards, plaques, projections and craftivism.

An image of Jesus Christ with 'Refugee' text across the image.

Items of Mass Instruction Posters, Stickers, Memes and More

Creative tactics for social change: Different ways of spreading messages and information in a creative way… memes, posters, postcards, stencils, etc.

Cyclists at a critical mass event hold their bicycles above their heads.

Pranks, performances and protestivals Public Events

Creative tactics for social change: A number of examples of fun, empowering and engaging actions incorporating a creative approach.

people at climate change march with person holding orange parasol with words "we are the people's climate march"

Parasols of protest

Activism and Artivism – Sharon France, graphic designer, shares how she created the designs for ‘parasols for protests’ for the People’s Climate March.

The Art(s) of Non-violent Activism

Marty Branagan discusses the role of the arts (music, visual art, street theatre) as an effective method of protest and social change in Australia.

Listening to the artivists Podcasts about activism and the arts

A series of audio recordings about activism and the arts from 3CR Community Radio.

Protestor dressed as an angel with large feathered wings, white dress and white makeup, sitting on a timber tripod surrounded by trees.

Listen and watch 40 years of Australian blockading songs

A list of songs from the last 40 years of the environmental movement in Australia including the Terania and Franklin River blockades.

The Morning star flag, symbol of West Papuan independence, is flying against a grey cloudy sky. The person who is holding it is in silhouette.

The spirit of Mambesak West Papuan freedom music

An introduction to West Papuan protest songs and the courageous artists and activists behind them.

inside a room set up to help with occupy sandy relief. lots of boxes with food and people

Radically Re-Imagining the World as our Climate Changes

Alex Kelly gives a powerful speech about seeing the opportunities and how the arts can help to remake, to reimagine and to redefine our world.

Art for Change Interview about fundraising with art

An interview with Brenda from Art for Change, a group of artists who donate time and art to help humanity, with useful tips on how to fundraise with art.

Ducks For Detainees Interview about artivism

An interview with Maggie Cowling from Ducks for Detainees which is a group that holds art events to maintain awareness of the plight of offshore detainees.

Sign Language The story of the Jabiluka symbol

The artist’s story of how the Stop Jabiluka hand symbol was designed and developed and grew to become a symbol for the anti-nuclear movement.