Cultural Organizing for Social Change, Frankfort, KY
May 10, 2014
9:30AM - 4:30PM
Presented by: Arts & Democracy, Kentucky Foundation for Women, and Alternate ROOTS
In collaboration with: Appalshop, Art of the Rural, KY Domestic Violence Association, Kentuckians for the Commonwwealth, La Casita, and ROOTS KY Rhizome
Location: KY Domestic Violence Association: 111 Darby Shire Circle, Frankfort, KY
Over 40 artists, organizers, activists and policy advocates from across Kentucky and beyond came together to participate in this day long workshop focused on Cultural Organizing for Social Change in Kentucky. While the group was quite diverse, they shared a belief in the power of art & culture to advance social justice for all Kentuckians. The purpose of the workshop was to connect individuals, organizations and resources to create and sustain cultural organizing as a statewide strategy.
The workshop included mapping culturally-based social change activities throughout the state and opportunities to learn and practice new methods of cultural organizing. There was also time for networking, art making, information exchange and formulating concrete action steps.
Special guest Stephanie McKee of Junebug Productions in New Orleans joined the Arts & Democracy facilitation team and led a session on how story circles can advance social justice and build unity across race, class and other differences.
Agenda
9:30am Registration & coffee
Put yourself on the Map!
10:00 Gather, Welcome & Overview
Map Exercise
10:30 Opening Circle
11:00 Cultural Organizing Framework
11:30 Break
11:45 Story Circles
Principles & Practice
12:45pm Lunch
continue mapping; making art; informal networking
1:30 Debrief Story Circle
1:45 Creative Engagement Workshops
- Engaging Youth through Poetry with Joy Priest
- Drawing Conclusions with Michael Startzman
- From Page to Stage: A Magical Transformation with Octavia Biggs
- Art, Culture & a Just Economy: Creating a Collaborative Statewide Vision with Caron Atlas and amalia deloney
2:45 Break
3:00 Cultural Organizing Framework
Visioning for a Statewide New Consciousness