Art to Change the World

Theory to Practice 2020 Projects

Present: Barbara Bridges, Margo Ashmore, David O’Fallon, Ann Meany, Craig Harris, Clif Ware, Bettye Ware, Pat Carney, Jim Peitzman, Elizabeth Greenbaum, Tracey Rogers-Tryba

The meeting launched with a community meal and listening to Leonard Cohen’s The Goal. He recommends reflecting on if your reach exceeds your goal. Barbara recommended we think deep and wide as we design for the future of Art to Change the World.

After introductions, the group participated in a free ranging conversation focused on what the assembled considered a currently urgent and/or a pressing need.

Global and Local Ideas:
We need to be Courageously Imaginative and Outrageously Hopeful
Our action needs to be built on a solid theoretical base/conceptual thinking. Several confirmed support of a theory to practice model.
Sustainability is the critical topic. All else is meaningless if we consume our planet.
If we are members of Art to Change the World, we need to answer the question Change from What to What?
Important to take action with convening people either digitally or real time. Open Space Technology might be a good model.
Answer the question “What is Community”.
The power of change is at the intersection of all disciplines: art, science, history etc.
There is a need for a group who amplifies the good work of all organizations.
Freedom has to be demanded- it can not be given.
How can art reduce consumption?
Need to recruit and involve the youth in all aspects of the work.
Artists need to be paid.
There needs to be a SYMBIOTIC coaching program to preserve what we have learned and to grow new ideas to manage and steer the paradigm change. We want to be a positive force for change.
We want to be a force multiplier. Be a lever.
Should we collaborate with all ACW partners on a manifesto?
Greta inspired us. Discussed why. How to find our Greta?
We agreed to invite new members to this group – especially diverse and youth voices.

Margo sent me an article about an architect, Tony Layne. She shared that her interest in this group is the potential for cross-pollination. She suggested that architecture might be a “ silo from which people are itching to break free.” I smell a potentially catchy slogan/meme:

People aching to break free from silos
Breaking free from silos group
Your idea?

Resources:

Here’s Grace Lee Boggs quote:

“…focus on critical connections rather than instead on critical mass. These are more important in long term transformation than mass.”

This is from her book , The Next American Revolution. Ands she means Revolution, a profound change in the economy and political power arrangements.

And I think she is right. That is what’s needed. That is what’s coming. Long term

https://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/grace-lee-boggs

Open Space Technology https://openspaceworld.org/wp2/what-is/

Where is a major work focused on sustainability? See War Requiem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHNgfF19CTY

Asking people on the street, “ What changes do you want to see in your community?” They asked this question In Lake Orian , Michigan. Here is what the “people” are thinking about. We might do well to consider the results of their survey. Warning…it is 47 pages… give it a skim? https://www.oriontownship.org/Portals/33/2015-2-11/If%20you%20could%20change%20one%20thing%20about%20our%20community.pdf

Tony Layne talks about the Power of Design

Margaret Mead quote Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

Action Items:

It was agreed that all the assembled would personally answer the following questions and Barbara would record and synthesize. Answer # 1 for sure and #2 and #3 as time permits? Let’s say by October 31? Is there a metaphor built in there?

If we are ACW, we want change from What to What? What is the change you hope to see?
What is missing out in the world?
What kinds of activities or actions fill that need?

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David O’Fallon
I’d affirm again that this work is both/and. That is, activity and theory, learning by doing, doing with learning in mind. Its not clear to me what the goal of the group is—yet. Change the old is a calling—so we must see how our works can add to, can amplify, affirm good work underway ( And there is a lot of that)—can meet an unmet need.

I like the idea of international connections—they enliven and inform and energize us—and yet we can easily spread too thin.

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Jim Peitzman

One thing I didn’t share on Saturday (again my apologies to all for having to leave early!), had to do with some responses from folks gathered at the “symposium” doc project I recently worked on. When the question of “what next?” was broached, one compelling idea that emerged which struck me as “sustainable engagement,” was that people would be intentional about linking current projects they were working on with the larger goals of the Habitability project. In some of the language we were exploring on Saturday, I would say that rather than focus on creating another event (sound familiar?), the argument was to find resonance with the nature of going from what/where to what/where across projects and disciplines … in the language of Grave Lee Boggs (just quoted by David), perhaps this echoes a focus on critical connections vs. critical mass?

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Craig Harris

I also weigh in on creating a foundation of understanding about what is and has been going on in the world – both what works and what may be less effective – and using that to proceed with clear focus about what we are hoping to accomplish. No need to reinvent wheels, and every need to reach out and collaborate to serve as a force multiplier, as David said. With that in mind, I encourage us to do that ground level foundation building without leaping too quickly towards specific initiatives before we are ready. I know how important for us all to see things being done, and not just talked about. But I don’t think that it will take very long for us to reveal some concrete near term actions that do in fact support some of our clearly articulated goals with well thought out strategies and tactics.
One thing that Barbara and I have talked about as we ponder what we should be doing, and how we should be doing it, is to focus on a few things that we can work on and do really well, rather than try to do too much, especially with limited resources and volunteers to get things done.

Margo Ashmore

I agree with Craig, not to leap too quickly. Perhaps give some consideration individually to decision making models or measurements of success, and what we value. The simplest of which is to list pros and cons…but pros and cons don’t always have equal weight, so do we put most value on let’s say:

– development of new leaders by whatever means

– involvement of volunteers, especially youth

– paying artists

– attracting funds

– attracting media attention

-immediately winnable and measurable (how)

– a process that we don’t dread, and maybe even enjoy

– stimulation of our thoughts by people who don’t necessarily think the way we do

– consensus, and is consensus real

(not that I’m saying any of these are my priorities or should be ours, they are just examples)

David O’Fallon

Thanks all for theses thoughts. And to affirm what I believe Craig and Jim and Margo are saying—to clarify what we intend, to share our best understanding of where we start from—(that is, what’s already going on that’s changing the world in directions and towards ends we hope to see), then what few things but critical can we do that could be a difference maker, a force multiplier?

You are all deeply experienced and very smart-and I’m sure we’ve all seen too many well intended efforts take on too much with too little, leading too many to burn out. I honor the force of “the reach exceeds the goal”—and—and—i want us to operate from strength, from knowledge , from experience, and from being called to do what can really matter, make a difference. And I’m not sure yet what that is.

And to say again—this isn’t either/or—this is do stuff,learn, evaluate, question, do stuff, and ——

Ive been influenced by Design Thinking—and no doubt many of you have too. Could we take a look at that as a helpful framework? The first step is —describe the Challenge this tEam, his group is taking on. “Change the World inspires—and that is actually what calls me—but our team/group challenge needs to be closer.

Design Thinking

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A workshop/series into how the arts do in fact cause change–examples–tools

Build networks of hope–that is, collaborate with others to connect people places where the arts are having a significant impact–

Theory–don’t want to get too far in the clouds on this–of fall into an academic sink hole–but what have others said and one around this theme–arts changing us and our world for the better?

–then–what should we actually do–??
action without thoughts, ideas, reflections, guiding principles of some kind–will be less effective.

and always–seeking connections.collaborations–for example with Springboard, with regional arts councils, with climate activist, with Science museum–with–

Barbara Bridges

I am so encouraged and ecstatic with this conversation. I see my job, as director of ACW, to build community. I have learned , at the end of the day, week and month, it is all about relationships. I hope we can be mindful of that need of our less cerebral ACW collective members. Thanks for keeping that in mind as we dream!

Clif Ware

Yes, the responses have been illuminating, with varying valid perspectives put forward. Narrowing all ideas down to specific goals and objectives is the challenge, and this will take much thought and deliberation.

P.S. I just took the following notes from a TED Talk, and it relates to art and the work of artists. Awe: How we experience awe — and why it matters, Beau Lotto and Cirque du Soleil, TED2019.

So what is awe? What is happening inside your brain right now? It’s a brain state. OK? The front part of your brain, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for your executive function, your attentional control, is now being downregulated. The part of your brain called the DMN, default mode network, which is the interaction between multiple areas in your brain, which is active during, sort of, ideation, creative thinking in terms of divergent thinking and daydreaming, is now being upregulated. And right about now, the activity in your prefrontal cortex is changing. It’s becoming asymmetrical in its activity, biased towards the right, which is highly correlated when people step forward into the world, as opposed to step back. In fact, the activity across the brains of all these people (of a study) was so correlated that we’re able to train an artificial neural network to predict whether or not people are experiencing awe to an accuracy of 75 percent on average, with a maximum of 83 percent.

People report feeling small but connected to the world. So, awe is possibly the perception that is bigger than us. And in the words of Joseph Campbell, “Awe is what enables us to move forward.” Your brain only learns if we move. Life is movement.

A suggestion: that awe is not just to be found in the grandeur. Awe is essential. Often, it’s scale — the mountains, the sunscape. But what if we could actually rescale ourselves and find the impossible in the simple? And if this is true, and our data are right, then endeavors like science, adventure, art, ideas, love, a TED conference, performance, are not only inspired by awe, but could actually be our ladders into uncertainty to help us expand.__________________________

Clif Ware Vision Statement

If ACW is meant to serve as an umbrella-type of arts organization, the three emerging trends put forth— “Amplifying the voice of others doing this work, creating community, and acting as convener”—seem appropriate. Does this suggest that any legitimate artist or arts group representing any art form (visual, dramatic, musical arts, etc.) would be eligible to join or be affiliated? Would any standards for joining be set, including qualifications and agreement to specific goals and guidelines?

As I’ve indicated in my submitted comments, I believe if art hopes to change the world, it must be guided by certain principles and guidelines. For me, the primary focus should be on explaining, clarifying, and portraying the role of humans as an integral part of Nature (the wholeness, interconnectedness, and interdependence of all that exists), plus the role of humanity in celebrating and sustaining all life forms. This approach might inspire artists to seek and understand a comprehensive, long-term perspective, one that encompasses all aspects of life on this unique, one-of-a-kind planet.

The way forward will entail rethinking “why, how, when, where” issues pertaining to producing relevant art In an imperiled world. And, as I mentioned in my previous responses, creating a better world will require committing to several R-related strategies, including: Rethinking art’s role in creating a better world; Refusing single-use materials; Reducing the amount and type of materials used in creating art works; Reusing materials as much and as creatively as possible; Refurbishing and repairing old materials and artworks; Recycling all materials that can’t be reused; and Regenerating non-material values and ideas, in the process of creating art forms that inspire people to seek truth, goodness, and beauty, in service to the common good of all living things.

Clif Ware Vision Statement

Barbara Bridges
One of my favorite quotes is “ Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication” . Having spent two decades in higher ed, I became so exhausted with pontification with no action.

I really resonated with this:

“ A suggestion: that awe is not just to be found in the grandeur. Awe is essential. Often, it’s scale — the mountains, the sunscape. But what if we could actually rescale ourselves and find the impossible in the simple? And if this is true, and our data are right, then endeavors like science, adventure, art, ideas, love, a TED conference, performance, are not only inspired by awe, but could actually be our ladders into uncertainty to help us expand. “

What I am trying to create with ACW is a group of people who trust and support each other. Before action… you need community. A community that trusts each other…that believes we can change our little place on the planet. It builds from there.

The reflections on “awe” above are very important from MHPOV. I think of this as “childlike wonder”. I feel so very sorry for people who have lost… or never had…childlike wonder. As indicated above… sometimes you connect with the world by simply putting your face into the sun and reflecting on what a miracle it is to be alive.

Margo Ashmore

Had an idea for a title for the visioning group. How about calling it “The Orbit” with the idea that what we want is these folks’ brainpower and that they’ll give it to us as long as they don’t get sucked into the traditional organization with board, events, minutes and all that other stuff. We should not label it a committee, or even a group. Let it be something different. An orbit, by definition, is somewhat circular and is tied to something in the center. “
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Clif Ware

The Emperor’s New Art: A Parable https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/the-emperors-new-art-a-parable/

Post-Carbon Music

I don’t mean to overload you with reading materials, but this book struck me as being related to the future of the arts in stimulating creative ideas that can influence people’s lives, individually and collectively.

WHY I SPENT THE LAST TWO YEARS WRITING A BOOK ABOUT IMAGINATION

by Rob Hopkins

It was a quote by my late friend and mentor David Fleming that tipped me over into thinking that writing a book about imagination was something I needed to do. In ‘Lean Logic’, he wrote “if the mature market economy is to have a sequel … it will be the work, substantially, of imagination”. There was something about that sentence that got under my skin.

DAvid O’Fallon

Stanford program Art for Social Change

Answers to Questions

If we are ACW, we want change from What to What? What is the change you hope to see?
What is missing out in the world?
What kinds of activities or actions fill that need?

Clif Ware
If we are ACW, we want change from What to What? What is the change you hope to see?

First, based on how “art” is defined or interpreted, it seems that all forms need to be represented, including visual arts (drawing and painting, film, sculpture, etc.), performing arts (theater, music, dance, film), and practical arts (commercial design, architecture, landscaping, cartoons, crafts, etc.). [See two drawings of envisioned car-free cityscapes below, as examples of how artist James McKay addresses sustainability.]

Second, assuming that “change the world” refers to changes that will affect the entire planet, It seems that, given the enormity of the survival challenges ahead, we humans need to think not only of our species’ needs, but even more about the survival of all other flora and fauna species, all of which we depend upon for sustenance. This might require engaging a broader scope of art forms, along with more focused (specific) objectives.

What is missing out in the world?

What’s missing is a “big picture’ understanding of how all aspects of life are interrelated and interconnected, and especially regarding how we humans fit into the big picture. The concept we hold of ourselves as the most advanced species on the planet exaggerates our importance in the ultimate scheme of things. Also, our evolutionary rise within such a relatively short timespan has not enabled our brains to think much beyond short-term concerns, including the inability to conceive of a finite Earth. How art addresses this conundrum is the main challenge, I think.

What kinds of activities or actions fill that need?

As I mentioned in the meeting, for art to be sustainable and meaningful over the long term, artists need to be conscious of some significant R-word guidelines, including the following: Rethink art’s role in creating a better world; Refuse single-use materials; Reduce consumption—the amount and type of materials used in creating art works (polluting, non-renewable materials); Reuse materials as much and as creatively as possible (including non-renewable materials like plastic, Styrofoam, etc.); Refurbish and repair old materials and artworks; Recycle all materials that can’t be reused; Regenerate nature; and Restore non-material values and ideas in the process of creating art forms that inspire people to seek truth, goodness, and beauty, in service to the common good of all living things.

Barbara Bridges

From What to What
My hope is that art has the capacity to connect people across socio-economic boundaries. All forms of art can help rip down the silos and build cross -think relationships. Until we start pulling together as a species, the prospect of saving our planet from extinction is just an unattainable pipe dream.

2. What is the world missing?

A cultural expectation that embraces the concept of altruism. Someone needs to create a community which believes that each member has an ethical and moral responsibility to contribute to the health and happiness of all people on our planet and then put theory into PRACTICE. Live to serve and serve to live.

3. What Activities and Actions? In spite of our great big brains and self-important view of our place in the world, we, as a species, still seem to be consuming everything that walks, swims, flies, grows and even flows under and over the earth. We seem unable to see that our voracious appetites are leading us to our own extinction! How can art help create a “pause” so people can properly reflect on this probable outcome?
Coaching Program- a symbiotic exchange and implementation of action ideas.
Community Projects across socio-economic boundaries: South High School, University of Minnesota seminar series, Chinese Cultural center, non-profit partnerships, safe-space for the marginalized.
Amplification Project Support the good work of other organizations and people.

Margo Ashmore

Art to Change the World – From what to what: To change the point at which people turn from inward to outward, selfish to altruistic. Or to see altruism as the ultimate selfishness – a critical mass of humans, especially those who have or aspire to political power, need to feel “in order to be fulfilled, I need to be engaging with, understanding and serving others.” We excuse people who are going to school, or who have kids, or a demanding job…do we really need to wait until people retire, to see them volunteering? I think not. We understand Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but there are people who have next to nothing on that scale, who still give away their time and resources…so it is possible.

2. What is the world missing? Others in the ACW orbit have already expressed the need for the human race to stop consuming everything in our paths, to understand that we have broken the environment and need to reverse global warming. I agree.

I see an answer in prohibiting excess work; somewhere I read that to reverse global warming we should only be working at our jobs something like 10 hours a week, which would be great if all nations and corporations could agree. Imagine how much less driving emissions there would be, less manufacturing emissions, less water used, more people employed in hospitals and other services needed around the clock.

One could apply the same thought to “outlaw all plastics.” Or “outlaw fossil fuel.”

3. Activities and actions? In terms of the earth, political actions from the traditional lobbying and horse-trading to the radical simplicity of Greta Thunberg. Build a model of trust and divide up the work to be done so that there’s not this insane competition for grant resources. Support and network organizations that are largely volunteer-driven, nimble and effective, creative, punching above their weight.

In terms of ACW, amplification and networking, elevation of others’ good work. Amazing how many people get it, that “art changes the world.” We need to trust that by bringing people to the intersection of art with other disciplines, individuals will be motivated to explore change further and take their own actions. They need to find each other and build common language. We might act as instigators, match makers and “send it out into the world.” We may not be able to expect that they will circle back and stay involved in ACW.

Building and encouraging new young leaders while not discarding retirees (the biggest natural source of time and reliability, as long as the brains hold out).

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David O’Fallon

ACW—from what to what?

The foundation change for me is in relationships, within ourselves(whole body,whole mind) with each other, and with the living earth itself. Less this seem too lofty, there are hundreds of examples; summarized in what David Korten and others call The Great Turning, from a Savage capitalism and “economy” based on exploitation and extraction to one of stewardship, caretaking, valuing authenticity and integrity of relationships over profit. I know, I know—this is a long dream—but it is the vision and direction I keep in mind. We FEEL the need for this change now—to slow down, to be less toxic with ourselves and with each other and with what we consume. And I wont live long enough to see this change—which may come from responses forced by calamity and climate crisis and not through courageous imagination and social/political planned changes.

What is missing?

I meant this to be—what is missing from this area, from the place we live in now? Not he whole world. One specific function is that of convening,gathering, to build connections and strengthen relationships. To build what Rebecca Solnit calls “Networks of Hope”. I think ACW can help with this—and the event showed ways in which that might be done. There are many many good people doing good works, from Juxtapoostion on the Northside and Homewood Gallery, in south area Pillsbury House, In the Heart of the Beast, ArtBox, Redye 2.0–and a host of others. Ashley Hansons’s work on Place through the arts across the state (she one of the Obama’s fellows) What can ACW add—and not compete with? Collaborations with others on convenings might be one of the most effective and best ways to a amplify, support the change, the work that is already underway—and to help imagine what might be next.

What Activities and Actions?

Events that clearly support the “great turning”—to use that term. That center on building connections and relationships—fostering new ones.

The sense of crisis grows—climate and political—impeachment starts and no, this is not like Nixon, it is more dire, we are more conflicted, we have no Barbara Jordan yet, no Republican senator standing up for the constitution.

So—networks of hope!! Arenas for brace speech, for courageous imaginations to take us forward.

Craig Harris

From What to What? What is the change you hope to see?

While there are certainly many examples of my “to What” thoughts out in the world, I hope that it could be significantly more pervasive.

From reactive to proactive
From homogeneous and tribal to diverse and cosmopolitan
From ad hoc to strategic
From unilateral to collaborative
From hostile to civil
From factional to intersectional

What is missing?

We need to develop a stronger foundation of understanding and common language to effectively communicate and collaborate with each other.

The lack of specificity clarifying what social practice art is and what Art to Change the World does can be both helpful and detrimental. The broad and welcoming aspects make it possible for a very diverse community to assemble. The lack of clarity however makes it difficult to communicate about our goals and develop clear strategies to identify the organization’s role and most effective ways to engage in the world.

A Comprehensive Resource Nexus: There is a lot of great work taking place locally and globally, and it would be extremely helpful to have a place where people can go to learn about what kind of work is taking place in various areas of focus. It may exist somewhere, and likely exists in various forms within and across some disciplines. But I don’t know about any comprehensive resource to help people to effectively navigate the numerous fields, organizations and resources.

Local and Global Network Amplifier: It would benefit our mutual goals to have a more structured and ongoing mechanism to understand what different organizations are doing and what initiatives are taking place locally and globally.

What kinds of activities or actions fill that need?

Local and Global Ambassador Program: As David O’Fallon points out, developing and building upon relationships is crucial to building successful organizations and initiatives. We can magnify our effectiveness if we establish an ongoing and supported program designed to create and build upon relationships among artists and organizations. We could have ambassadors who regularly attend meetings and events to strategically build our networks. This could lead to more effective and long term initiatives and collaborations. We could provide some support for members to attend conferences, exhibitions and festivals to help represent ACW and build/deepen our relationships. In addition to helping ACW, a program like this could help our ambassadors to build their own networks and careers by helping them to participate in activities that they might not otherwise be able to accomplish using their current resources.

It would be useful for Art to Change the World to provide some kind of flexible, searchable resource database so people can more effectively navigate and engage with the complex and interconnected world of social practice art.

This activity in which we are currently engaged is an important stage in a process that can result in creating a strong, effective and sustainable organization. Building common understanding and common language is critical to creating stronger relationships and successful collaborations and initiatives. There are different layers of this activity and we need to be inclusive to a diverse group of participants. Some people function more effectively with a theoretical foundation; others benefit from very practical orientations; people with different backgrounds and cultural origins have different ways to approach challenges and engagement. The better we are at creating a methodology for advancing these ideas, the stronger our foundation will be, and that will yield more effective, successful and sustainable initiatives.

Layl McDill

If we are ACW, we want change from What to What? What is the change you hope to see?

I’m going to go at this question a little differently- in the sense of what is ART actually best at changing and what are the ways that ART can change these things. Mainly I see art as a tool that can be used in two main ways (there are probably many more but for now I’m focusing on these two):

Art can bring people together and raise the quality of life in terms of mental health and happiness. This can be by making art together, looking at art together or experience art together (all art forms).
Art can make people think about something in a different way. This is where we go back to our “Social Practice” roots which I feel like is super important. We can use art to pin point changes we want to see- we all know it works but we have to train advocates and educators on how to do it. We need to offer training and critique to artists of all ages and disciplines in the area of Social Practice Art.

So when you take these “powers of art” and apply them to the WHAT to WHAT change and think about our organization and it’s “powers” my answer would be: Change a divided, isolated society into an understanding, empathic community.

When you can see the “other’s” side and way of thinking you have a much better chance of finding common ground and making change.

What is missing out in the world?

We seem to be more isolated than ever. Social media only divides us more and gives us an illusion of community. We need more chances to meet face to face especially with people of differing world views. This is a challenge since we tend to live in our own bubbles or silos.

What kinds of activities or actions fill that need?

We have to figure out how to use art to break through the barriers of race, class and ideology. This isn’t easy but art is a magical tool. It can lure people in and create conversation.

One way we can start this process is by training social practice artists. Anyone can be a social practice artists. I’d like to see workshops like the one Barbara put on for WARM- encourage all members to join in- not just the artists. Her workshop encourages people to come up with their own social practice art projects.

Another way is cross pollination and support to other organizations- not just arts organizations. We could work towards having a “menu” of offerings we can offer organizations that want to use the tool of art to meet their mission.