What I am doing now
updated November 14, 2022
I wrote a book!
The Art of Activism: Your All Purpose Guide to Making the Impossible Possible, the book I co-wrote with Stephen Duncombe, came out at the end of 2021. It collects the lessons and ideas gathered from co-founding the Center for Artistic Activism over twelve years ago, working with collaborators around the world, as well as our experiences in activism, research, the arts, and more. In addition to co-writing, I created over 200 illustrations that are included in the book.
For the last year, the Center for Artistic Activism has been running Learning Labs that gather people online who read the book and share their progress through the lessons and exercises.
Democracy and The Center for Artistic Activism
The Center for Artistic Activism has received support for our COVID-19 work (see below) as well as continuing the work we did to increase voter turnout during the 2020 election. Through the Unstoppable Voters program, we have continued to offer training, as well as offering funding and developing projects, that fight for the freedom to vote in the United States.
Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
In mid-March of 2020 – just as the pandemic was being officially declared – I started collaborating on a global program to make COVID-19 treatment, testing, and an eventual vaccine sustainably priced, available to all, and free at the point of delivery. I’ve been doing this within the Center for Artistic Activism in collaboration with Universities Allied for Essential Medicines.
We have had hundreds of volunteers from over 30 countries and we made progress, including an unprecedented win here in the United States. You can learn more about the campaign and check out freethevaccine.org.
I’m not teaching right now
I made a choice in late February 2020 to take an unpaid leave from my position as a Professor at SUNY Purchase for the 2020-21 school year: no pay, no benefits. At the time it felt risky, touching on some deeply held fears I have about money and security – but ultimately worth it so I could pursue other important projects. The landscape fundamentally changed with the pandemic, but things worked out. I took additional leaves for the 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 school years to focus on the projects listed above.
Capitalism Works For Me! True/False
Just before the pandemic, Capitalism Works For Me! True/False went on a roughly five year loan to the Blackpool Illuminations – a light festival that started in 1879.
There was also a plan to take it to Vancouver, Canada which happened early in 2022 at the PUSH Festival.
Other
I’ve been developing a new project: a public game show that provides a fun structure for difficult topics. Prior to the pandemic I had talked to a couple producers about showing a version in 2019 and 2020. This was delayed.
I had a son at the end of 2018. He has already learned to ride a bike.
During the pandemic, like many others, my personal life sort of exploded and there’s been a lot of work done and changes made since.
Want to know more?
Sign up for my email list here. A lot of people like it. If in fact you don’t, it’s really easy to unsubscribe later. I’ve been trying to send short emails once a month (however, I am sending them more like every few months).
Also, is anyone on Mastodon?