DEMOCRACY is a practice that we haven't been practicing. The gap between the story we've been telling ourselves about our participatory democracy and our actual experience leaves us unprepared for the Resistance and Reclamation project that we're about to undertake. To get better at Democracy, we need to treat it as a creative practice!

This is the first of two episodes that explore the intricate relationship between art and democracy. This episode delves into the idea that democracy is not merely a system of voting, but a dynamic practice that requires active participation and creativity from its citizens.

In his conversation with past guests, Bill Cleveland posits that our understanding of democracy is flawed, as too many citizens view it solely as a transactional process rather than a communal endeavor.

Through insights gathered from creative change agents who have engaged deeply with the intersections of art and democratic practices, the episode illustrates how creative expression can act as a catalyst for civic engagement. The narrative reveals a pressing concern about the current state of American democracy, where apathy and division threaten the very fabric of communal life.

Cleveland advocates for a renewed commitment to practicing democracy as a form of art, where citizens actively contribute to shaping their society, thereby enriching not only their own lives but also the collective experience of democracy itself.

Takeaways:

• Democracy is a practice that requires active participation, not just voting in elections.
• The fragility of American democracy stems from a lack of understanding of its true nature.
• Creative practices in democracy can help bridge divides and foster community engagement.
• Sharing personal stories can play a crucial role in understanding and practicing democracy.
• The connection between art and democracy emphasizes the importance of collective storytelling.
• Democracy thrives when citizens engage in meaningful dialogues and collaborative efforts together.

Chapters:

• 00:11 - A New Direction in Storytelling
• 00:41 - Democracy as a Creative Practice
• 09:33 - The Role of Stories in Democracy
• 16:18 - The Legacy of Lydia Hamilton Smith
• 22:30 - Animating Democracy: The Role of Arts in Community Engagement
• 25:47 - The Power of Creative Engagement in Social Issues
• 32:29 - The Role of Arts in Cultural Democracy
• 37:08 - The Role of the Culture Bearer
• 46:31 - The Connection Between Civic Engagement and Creative Practice
• 47:52 - The Impact of Citizenship Schools on Democracy

Notable Mentions

Individuals:

1. Bill Cleveland – Center for the Study of Art and Community
2. Leni Sloan – Leni Sloan bio
3. Pam Korza – Animating Democracy
4. Barbara Schaefer Bacon – Animating Democracy
5. Harry Boyte – Humphrey Institute
6. Carlton Turner – Mississippi Center for Cultural Production
7. Lori Poirier – First Peoples Fund
8. Murray Strom – Public Work Academy
9. Moises Kaufman – Tectonic Theater Project
10. Eve Ensler – The Vagina Monologues
11. Rosie Perez – Rosie Perez Bio
12. Bernice Robinson – Literacy Project Documentary

1. Animating Democracy – Animating Democracy
2. Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) – SCLC Official Site
3. Mississippi Center for Cultural Production – Mississippi Center for Cultural Production
4. First Peoples Fund – First Peoples Fund
5. Public Achievement – Public Achievement
6. Tectonic Theater Project – Tectonic Theater Project
7. AIDS Memorial Quilt – AIDS Memorial Quilt
8. V-Day – V-Day Official
9. The Laramie Project – Tectonic Theater Project - The Laramie Project
10. University of Massachusetts Arts Extension Service – UMass Arts Extension Service

1. 2024 U.S. Elections – 2024 Elections Overview
2. The AIDS Memorial Quilt Display on the National Mall – AIDS Memorial Quilt
3. Vagina Monologues Performances – V-Day
4. Culture Shift Conference – Culture Shift Conference
5. The Citizenship Schools of the Civil Rights Movement – Highlander Research and Education Center
6. Work Progress Administration (WPA) – WPA History

1. 13th Amendment – 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
2. 14th Amendment – 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
3. 15th Amendment – 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
4. 19th Amendment – 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution