What happens when a president tries

to get the WOKE out of museums?

In this episode of ART IS CHANGE we follow the latest political attacks on the Smithsonian and other cultural institutions and explore how activist artists and institutions around the country are turning up the volume in response.

From DC Block parties powered by Go Go beats to high stakes opera in Detroit, artists and cultural leaders are stepping into the fray.

With escalating pressure from the Trump administration targeting exhibits in institutions and leaders, creatives across the country are beginning to push back.

In this Artists Change weather report:

• We explore how Executive Order 14253 is being used to reshape cultural institutions under the guise of American greatness.
• We'll hear the story of Free DC's music fueled protest movement reclaiming public space and voice,
• and discover how cultural organizers in LA and beyond are responding with art, activism and coordinated statements of defiance.

Notable Mentions

Here’s a clickable reference guide including people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the episode, each with a brief description and embedded hyperlink for further reading.

People

1. Francine Prose Author and critic, noted here for warning that whitewashing history erodes democratic truth.
2. Samuel Redman History professor at UMass Amherst, quoted on the unprecedented legal ambiguity of executive interference in museum operations.
3. Justice Yadi Yad Johnson Community organizer and member of Long Live GoGo, using music to empower D.C. residents during unrest.
4. Erika Hirugami Curator of the Abolish ICE Mercado de Arte in Los Angeles, which raised funds for immigrant rights.
5. Thalía Gochez Photographer whose group show in LA helped raise money for legal defense efforts.
6. Patrick Martinez LA-based visual artist known for protest-themed signage.
7. Lalo Alcaraz Political cartoonist and satirist who released posters in support of labor leaders.
8. Kiyo Gutiérrez Artist who used the LA River as a canvas for immigrant justice messaging.
9. Nadya Tolokonnikova Co-founder of Pussy Riot, whose performance Police State became a metaphor for escalating ICE raids in LA.

1. Executive Order 14253 said to enforce cultural alignment with “American greatness,” used to justify censorship at museums.
2. Free D.C. Go-Go Protests Music-based protest events reclaiming public space and demanding home rule for the District of Columbia.
3. National Guard and ICE Raids in LA Referenced context for artists’ responses during federal crackdowns on immigrant communities.
4. Detroit Opera’s Production of The Central Park Five An operatic retelling of the wrongful conviction of five Black and Latino teenagers. The opera won a Pulitzer Prize and became a form of cultural resistance.

1. Smithsonian Institution America’s national museum complex, under political scrutiny in the podcast for allegedly “woke” exhibits.
2. National Museum of African American History and Culture A Smithsonian museum specifically called out in political attacks for its portrayal of race and slavery.
3. Kennedy Center National performing arts venue whose programming has reportedly shifted under political pressure.
4. Long Live GoGo Cultural movement using Washington D.C.’s native music style as a tool for protest and unity.
5. Japanese American National Museum LA-based institution that joined public statements against military deployment.
6. Chinese American Museum Cultural museum in Los Angeles advocating against authoritarian presence.
7. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes Mexican-American cultural center that stood against federal overreach in LA.
8. Grand Performances Outdoor arts presenter in LA supporting activist statements.
9. MOCA - Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles Hosted Nadya Tolokonnikova’s politically charged Police State performance.
10. Detroit Opera Opera company that staged The Central Park Five amid political controversy.
11. National Coalition Against Censorship Co-organizer of the “Collective Courage” statement defending artistic freedom.
12. Vera List Center for Art and Politics New York-based academic hub for socially engaged art, co-organizer of the Collective Courage statement.
13. The Center for the Study of Art and Community Podcast’s production home, supporting creative leaders working at the intersection of art and social change.

1. The New Yorker Cited for commentary on cultural control and Trump’s branding of history.
2. Albuquerque Journal Quoted Nadya Tolokonnikova on the real-life impact of her Police State performance.

*****

Art Is CHANGE is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.

Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.

Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.