Creative Change Initiative

A true shift in consciousness can only come when people begin to see the world not as it is, but as it should be. While advocates can provide powerful arguments and compelling data, it is artists and media makers who create a window into the possible. To truly move hearts and minds, artists, advocates, and media makers must collaborate deeply, developing a shared vision and a coordinated set of strategies for achieving it.

Launched at Creative Change 2009: A Social Justice Retreat in Colorado, the Creative Change Initiative creates space for this collaboration, strengthening the work of advocates and allowing artists and media makers to make an impact on the issues that matter to them. Designed to move the social justice movement towards greater innovation, the Initiative serves as a catalyst for inspiration and action, incubating new ideas, relationships, and opportunities to move beyond traditional modes of organizing and activating constituencies.

New media vehicles like digital video, YouTube, MySpace, FaceBook, podcasts, texting, Google mapping, and the blogosphere have democratized media production and dissemination, making us all potential media makers. And, online pioneers like Color of Change and MoveOn.org have mobilized millions of digital activists, but largely disconnected from traditional social justice organizations and community organizing. Yet, despite some exciting success stories, there are generational, technological, and other divides that have prevented the social justice world from fully utilizing them to date. Artists like Shepard Fairey and will.i.am inspired a new generation of young voters and activists, but that arts activism has largely failed to translate to post-election activities.

In this dynamic and tumultuous context, it is crucial for social justice, arts, and new media leaders to invest time in reflection, planning, and exposure to new ideas that bridge strategies, communities, and issues. Making the most of this moment requires strategy and creative collaboration, as well as bold action.

In 2010, our focus was: 1) a project that maps and incubates artistic and new media practices that supports immigrants, immigration, and human rights, and 2) producing one or more forums for the creative community, including a possible Creative Change retreat.

In 2011, our third Creative Change brought together a dedicated and inspiring group of artists, advocates, funders, and media makers to explore issues and solutions at the intersection of arts, cultural organizing, and social justice.

For our next 2012 Creative Change retreat, we invite you to check this page regularly for upcoming information.