BRIDGE CONVERSATIONS
Some of the most creative strategies live in the intersections of disciplines, sectors, cultures and generations. This series of essays seeks to learn from a diverse group of creative people who are building bridges and creating hybrid and integrated programs, strategies, and lives.
Something Else is Possible
Some of the most powerful change happens in the intersections of generations, cultures, sectors, and geographies. Collected here are stories about these intersections and the people who make them. They are strategic artists and creative organizers, activist anthropologists, poetic politicians, and loving family members. All are engaged in the deeply creative act of believing that something else is possible.
Staying In It With You
A 2020 Bridge Conversation by Ron Ragin and Judi Jennings
Activating the Creativity of Community Development
Jeremy Liu and Gayle Isa talk about the spaces ‘in between’.
By Gayle Isa
Aesthetics and Mathematics of Social Change
Dee Davis and Michelle Miller discuss the art of strategic communications.
By Michelle Miller
Anthropology as Social Activism
Alaka Wali and R. Lena Richardson on drumming circles, sustainable conservation, and valuing difference.
By R. Lena Richardson
Breaking Out of a Bifurcated World
A conversation about the powerfully transformative and at times, painfully fragmented practice of philanthropy.
By Caron Atlas
Connecting Action and Academia in California's Central Valley
Isao Fujimoto and Tim Marema on the power of ‘edgewalking’.
By Tim Marema
Creating With a Sense of Strategic Practice
Maribel Alvarez and Jason Bulluck on paying attention to the ‘little stuff', engaging in critical discourse, and understanding how power can be shaken up.
By Jason Bulluck
Creating Transformative Spaces
Harriet Barlow and Kathy Engel talk about the Commons and crossing borders.
By Kathy Engel
Crossing the Borders of Culture and Politics
Paul Chin and Vanessa Whang talk about animating a Latin American idea in the U.S..
By Vanessa Whang
Direct and Indirect Approaches to Community Change
Littleglobe and SouthWest Organizing Project talk about finding a relationship between community-engaged arts and organizing.
By Valerie Martinez, Robby Rodriguez, Molly Sturges, and Rosina Roibal
Finding Common Language Between Artists and Community Organizers
The second Bridge Conversation between Littleglobe and SouthWest Organizing Project about their ongoing collaboration.
Incarceration, Fatherhood, and Artmaking
Carol Fennelly and Ayo Ngozi on artmaking with fathers and children in federal and state prisons.
By Ayo Ngozi and Carol Fennelly
National , Northeast , Civil rights , Criminal Justice , Human Rights / Social Justice , Multi / Inter-disciplinary , Direct Action
Program
Innovative Approaches to Linking Nonprofit and For-profit Models
Adam Huttler and Ruby Lerner on entrepreneurial arts service organizations.
By Adam Forest Huttler
Interweave of Culture and Ecology
Ken Wilson and Caron Atlas talk about cultural context and creative philanthropy.
By Caron Atlas
Listening to the Stories Underneath the Work We Do
Paula Allen and R. Lena Richardson talk about traditional arts and culture as resources for Native community health.
By R. Lena Richardson
Multifaceted Art of Community Planning
Ron Shiffman and Anusha Venkataraman consider the intersections of organizing, creative practice, and community-based development.
By Anusha Venkataraman
New Paradigms of Artful Change
A discussion about whether art can be as powerful a vehicle for change as it can be a bastion for maintaining the status quo.
By Dudley Cocke, Peter Pennekamp, and Craig McGarvey
Organic and Traditional Bridging
Francisco Guajardo and Edyael Casaperalta on intentionality, consciousness, and creating new opportunities.
By Edyael Casaperalta
Rural , Southwest , Community / Regional Development , Democracy , Education , Immigration , Film / Video / Audio / Digital , Traditional Cultural and Spiritual , Education / Awareness Raising , Alliance / Movement / Field Building , Community Engagement , Policy / Law Change , Leadership and Skill Development
Program
Planning the Revolution over Collards
Tufara Waller Muhammad and Javiera Benavente talk about arts and culture in Southern organizing and the danger of spotlighting individuals.
By Javiera Benavente
Regional , Southeast , Civil rights , Community / Regional Development , Economic Justice / Labor , Environment , Human Rights / Social Justice , Music , Theater / Performance / Spoken Word , Traditional Cultural and Spiritual , Education / Awareness Raising , Community Engagement , Political Engagement
Program
Politics and Humanity
Mark Ritchie and Caron Atlas talk about balancing work and life.
By Caron Atlas
Power of Art To Move People
Ismael Ahmed and Anan Ameri discuss the extraordinary model of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS).
By Anan Ameri
Spiritual Core of Indigenous Social Justice
Tia Oros Peters and Vanessa Whang talk about maintaining your vision and integrity in rooms of power.
By Vanessa Whang
Tensions and Synergies of Being Strategic and Creative
Brad Lander and Esther Robinson discuss organizing and art, anthropological listening, and whether being holistic is important.
By Esther Robinson
Theater and Banned Cultural Expression in Belarus
freeDimensional talks with the Belarus Free Theatre.
By Todd Lester and Carolin Wiedemann
Who Will Carry the Work Forward?
An intergenerational conversation at the State of the Nation festival and a tribute to Nayo Watkins.
By Caron Atlas, R. Lena Richardson, and Carlton Turner