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.

Four women dressed up in hats, pearls with a 'prim' look.

Humorous Political Stunts: Nonviolent Public Challenges to Power

An exploration of how creative activists combine humour with seriousness via stunts to create change, including case study – John Howard Ladies’ Auxiliary Fan Club.

protestors with a banner that says Thanks but no tanks

Thanks But No Tanks: Learnings from Disrupt Land Forces [Brisbane: 2021]

Actions and learnings from Australia’s Disrupt Land Forces Campaign at the Brisbane’s 2021 Land Forces weapons expo.

ChangeMakers Organising School – Online Course (Videos)

ChangeMakers Organising School – Training (videos and slides) to connect and deepen knowledge to organise for social change.

ChangeMakers Organising School – Season Three

ChangeMakers Organising School – Training (videos and slides) to connect and deepen knowledge to organise for social change.

aerial shot of mural that says Black Lives Matter on road in between buildings in Seattle

The creativity fuelling the struggle to defund the police

Beautiful Trouble examines some of the principles showing up in the Black Lives Matter movement. Includes direct action, the power of ritual and joy, making the invisible visible, take risks but take care, and more.

Protestors wearing masks and holding placards gathering for a Black Lives Matter rally.

Make Change: How-To’s for Effective Peaceful Protest

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement this article includes tips and links to make what you need for safe, peaceful, and effective protest. Includes signs, effigies, banners, street art, ways to manage pepper spray and tear gas, surveillance considerations and interactions with police liaison.

4 images of protestors at Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 in the US

Defund the police! (Creatively)

A look at the creative tactics being used to defund the police. Protest resources from Beautiful Trouble for the Black Lives Matter movement.

hands holding smartphone taking a photo of artwork on brick wall

Hopepunk: Strategies for Serious Urban Play

Dr Troy Innocent from RMIT University presented at the Activism @ The Margins 2020 Conference about using urban play as a strategy of change and resistance in public space.

Statue David with gloves, mask and hazmat suit on coughing

Coronavirus COVID-19 related art to use for your campaigns

Do you need to find images & artwork related to COVID-19? Here is a list of websites where you can find coronavirus-COVID-19 art to use for your campaigns.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Gary Foley leaning on a tower of publications

Performing Political History: An interview with Gary Foley

An interview with Professor Gary Foley about using creative practice to bring attention to the political challenges facing Aboriginal people in Australia.

Activism and the Power of Humour

This paper uses Australian case studies to demonstrate the continued evolution of the use of humour in environmental, peace, and social justice movements.