About the Arts & Democracy Project

In 2004, the Arts & Democracy Project grew out of National Voice, an effort that brought together more
than 1,000 nonpartisan groups from across the country to coordinate the registration and turnout of over 5 million voters from constituencies underrepresented in the American political system. Subsequently, the Project carried out an active planning process of convening and engaging with the field to learn what has and has not been effective in linking arts and culture, civic engagement, and social justice. We co-sponsored nine convenings across the country that included a rural cultural organizer retreat, a meeting of hip-hop activists and artists, a convening of grassroots cultural activists right after the 2008 election, and a White House briefing on art and social justice.

We are engaging the following questions:

• How do arts and culture play an active role in our democracy?
• What forms of cultural expression move people to participate in decision-making?
• What forms of activism and organizing are best linked to arts and cultural work?
• How can this work become more strategic, effective, and sustainable?

Project Staff

The Arts and Democracy Projects is staffed by a team of consultants.

Caron Atlas, Director

Javiera Benavente, Cultural Organizer

Jason Bulluck, Bridge Conversations Consultant

Amalia Deloney, Cultural Organizer

Kathie deNobriga, Project Manager

Yolanda Hippensteele, Communications Consultant

Lena Richardson, Bridge Conversations Coordinator & Co-Editor