Cultural Organizing for Community Change
December 8, 2019 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Groundswell, Brooklyn Children's Theatre, Gowanus Houses Community Center, Reel Works 

This annual Brooklyn-based learning exchange, cosponsored with Naturally Occurring Cultural Districts NY (NOCD-NY) brought together organizers, artists, media makers, and policy makers to learn effective ways to deepen our work and engage our creativity in organizing for community change. The day included a cultural organizing framework, hands on skill building workshops, case studies, networking, a walking tour, and resources. It began at Groundswell with afternoon breakouts at Reel Works, Brooklyn Children's Theatre, and Gowanus Houses Community Center. 

AGENDA

9:30-10:00 Registration and Gathering

10:00-11:35 Welcome, Cultural Organizing Framework, Mapping the Room
Hasiba Haq, Arts & Democracy
Emily Ahn Levy, Arts & Democracy and NOCD-NY
Caron Atlas, Arts & Democracy and NOCD-NY
Claudie Mabry, NOCD-NY

11:35-11:45 Getting Activated
Chanon Judson, Urban Bush Women

11:45-11:50 Announcement: 400 Years of Inequality

11:50-12:40 Lunch 

12:40-12:55 Announce Sessions 1 and 2

SESSION 1, 1:10-3:00

Augusto Boal's Theater of the Oppressed and Civic Theater, George Emilio Sanchez

Art as Medicine and Megaphone, Ricardo Levins Morales

Praxis! Pop Ed and Co Creating a Tree of Knowledge, amalia deloney, Arts & Democracy

Gowanus: Fighting for Environmental and Housing Justice Along the Canal (walking tour), Michael Higgins, Social Justice Tours (organizer with Fifth Avenue Committee and Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice)

SESSION 2, 3:15-5:05

Strategic Performances, John Malpede & Henriëtte Brouwers, Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD)

Sensing Stories: Connecting Through Words, Roohi Choudhry, writer and editor

Hear Us Roar: Music in Direct Action, Charon Hribar, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

BOLD (Builders Organizers and Leaders Through Dance), Chanon Judson, Urban Bush Women Welcome by Theater of the Liberated cast, 

5:20-6:05 Closing at Groundswell

Emily Ahn Levy, Claudie Mabry, Tom Oesau, NOCD-NY, Charon Hribar, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

6:05-7:00 Reception