We Decide: Arts, Culture and Voting Power
September 14, 2020

• Webinar Recording
• Resource Newsletter

Arts & Democracy joined with The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture to learn how arts, culture, and creative media can reimagine our democracy and revitalize civic participation, with a focus on historically disenfranchised communities. We heard from artists and cultural organizers working in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin as well as those working nationally.

Presenters included Andrea Assaf, Dr. Rob “Biko” Baker, Trupania “Trap” Bonner, amalia deloney, and Savannah Romero and call participants shared their nonpartisan work:

• #HTownVotes, artist and cultural practitioner projects that will motivate youth and people of color in the Houston area to mobilize to vote

• #LouisianaCounts2020, a census education initiative providing Louisiana residents with information, trainings and a direct line to unheard voices

• Disinfo Defense League (DDL), a real-time, rapid response network to disrupt and dismantle manipulation and disinformation efforts targeting Black, Afro Latinx, and Latinx communities
• Illuminative's Native's Vote, a campaign utilizing narrative and culture change stratgies to mobilize Native American voters nationwide, as well as their partnership with Culture Surge to activate artists and create and disrtribute content to mobilize the vote. 
  

This was the first event in a two-part program on non partisan arts, culture, civic engagement and voting power. The second webinar, Activating the Cultural Power of a Movement, cosponsored by Arts & Democracy, The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, and NOCD-NY, showcased inspiring, movement based organizations across the country. If you missed the event, you can watch the recording here. Participants also shared these resources on the call.
Artwork by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya