arts and social justice: staying resilient in challenging times
DESCRIPTION
In October 2012, the Social Justice Artists' Collaborative (SJAC) conducted a survey on arts practices and support networks to capture information about sustainability. This report highlights information about individual artists and arts organizations working toward social justice in New York City as well as the networks we utilize for support.TRANSCRIPT
ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
STAYING RESILIENT IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Survey Design by the Report Findings by
Irini Neofotistos, Senior Program Officer, Union Square Awards
Amanda Warco, Research Intern, Union Square Awards
About SJAC:
The Social Justice Artists’ Collaborative (SJAC) was launched in 2010 as a
passionate call out for a grassroots network dedicated to building the power
and sustainability of individual artists, small to mid-size arts organizations
based in New York City, and creative communities invested in change.
SJAC is now a growing progressive collective of people and organizations
that comes together to learn, share, dialogue, connect, and evolve the
capacities of arts and cultural practitioners to thrive on our own terms.
Our goals are to:
• Build community among arts organizations and artists engaged in social
justice;
• Strategize around challenges and explore long-term solutions;
• Create new sustainability models;
• Offer platforms and venues for sharing best practices and innovations; &
• Foster new partnerships and creative fusions.
About the survey:
To learn what issues are affecting us most as a community, SJAC
recently conducted a survey of artists and arts organizations across
the City. This report shares what we found.
This survey was released by the SJAC and received 157 responses
between October 11 and 31, 2012.
Outreach was done by SJAC work group members who shared it with
others through social media, the SJAC outreach email list, and their
networks.
KEY FINDINGS
Bridging Arts and Social Justice
Arts and social justice work raises visibility, gives voice and creates engagement and interaction.
Important to those doing this work is uniting communities, empowering individuals, developing opportunities to create and express, and providing access to the arts.
Resources and Networks
Being connected to others with similar values is important. A vast majority confirm they are connected to others that share their values.
While most respondents have the tools needed to be effective and know where to turn to for needed resources, a significant number do not have a support network they can rely on.
KEY FINDINGS
Financial Resources
Respondents found skills or resource sharing, individual donor engagement and grassroots fundraising to be effective sustainability approaches.
70% of respondents have accessed grants to support their work. Of those, half report they no longer have access to resources they have relied on in the past.
Top 4 Challenges
Accessing Financial Resources
Reliable Support Networks
Time and Capacity
Framing and Promoting Work
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
artist arts administrator
other service provider funder
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF WITHIN THE
ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY?
32% of respondents
chose more than one
response
157 responses
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF WITHIN THE
ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
activist organizer educator
Other Identities
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE:
46% of respondents
chose more than
one response
0%
2%
4%
6%
Multi-Disciplinary Poetry
Other Disciplines
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Visual Arts Media/New media
Theater Literature/Creative writing
Conceptual/Performance
Art
Music Dance Other
157 responses
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS DO YOU
MOST IDENTIFY WITH YOUR PRACTICE, IF ANY?
I.E., YOU WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE USING
THEM TO DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE.
Social Change
Community Arts
Social Justice
Public Art
Social Practice
Other
-10%
-14%
-5%
-7%
-3%
12%
76%
79%
85%
89%
93%
-0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Disagree Agree
130 responses
I USE MY PRACTICE AS A WAY OF CREATING:
Mostly Agree:
The top two areas of agreement are that respondents use their practice as a
way of community building and responses to social issues.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Community Building
Responses to Social Issues
A Broader Definition of
the Arts
Civic Engagement
Call to Action
Beauty Visibility for Myself and
Others
Agree Somewhat Disagree
130 responses
Healing
Outreach Tools
Political Expression
Organizing Tools
Training Opportunities
Political Education
Political Engagement
Rehabilitative Tools
Other
I USE MY PRACTICE AS A WAY OF CREATING:
Split Opinion:
Political Education, Political Engagement and Rehabilitative Tools were the most
contested terms with larger numbers of respondents choosing “Somewhat Agree” or
“Disagree.”
“Other” responses included conversations, dialogue, attention, connection, and
expression.
-4%
-34%
-24%
-25%
-25%
-24%
-24%
-16%
-14%
12%
56%
68%
69%
68%
68%
70%
80%
88%
-40% -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Disagree Agree
130 responses
PLEASE ELABORATE ON YOUR CHOICES ABOVE OR
SHARE OTHER LANGUAGE YOU USE TO
CHARACTERIZE EITHER YOUR WORK OR PRACTICE.
“Our mission is to celebrate our culture through the arts and educate people about our diversity.
Cultural identity is very important to an individual formation in life. The arts can give people a great
motivation in other fields.”
“Feel that it is important to manage artist currently incarcerated, to help motivate and prepare them to
be self sufficient and come come to make legal money to support their families.”
Individual responses that were especially interesting, challenging or
representative:
“The choices seem to frame publicly presented/socially engaged work within a binary frame of either
"romantic" art practice that occurs in the public sphere (beauty, sublime, grandeur, ego, et al) v. the
social practice school. Both are problematic. I would like to see categories from another set of
questions, like the categories one would ask bankers or lawyers or deep sea divers.”
PLEASE ELABORATE ON YOUR CHOICES ABOVE OR
SHARE OTHER LANGUAGE YOU USE TO
CHARACTERIZE EITHER YOUR WORK OR PRACTICE.
“I prefer the concept of community engagement to outreach to reflect mutually beneficial
collaborations. I also think of my work as part of broader efforts to engage people in the decision
making that has in impact on their lives. And I think of my work as cross sector and holistic -
recognizing how culture is integrated throughout our communities.”
“Art responds to social, community, and personal issues but is also responsive to community and
individual needs. The practices and outlets created cultivate a more equitable and just
society, particularly where those resources do not otherwise exist. I have some resistance to the terms
healing, therapeutic or rehabilitative. As a conscious person, I feel responsible to name, connect, and
address what is not right in a way that is challenging, engages, and visions/creates something
new, effective, and just. That process by its nature creates personal and collective healing. Lastly, while
it is true that arts can create powerful tools for outreach, organizing, education, they are not a means to
an end. If the art is meant to produce those outcomes then some of its power is lost. Connection to
community and the process of creating or sharing in a collective way is critically important.”
DESCRIBE THE COMMUNITIES YOU WORK IN AND/OR
IDENTIFY WITH.
African-American, 6
Latinos, 6
Asian, 3
People of Color, 11
Immigrants,4
Youth, 18
Seniors, 5
Women, 11
Artists, 15
LBGTQ, 13
DESCRIBE THE COMMUNITIES YOU WORK IN AND/OR
IDENTIFY WITH.
Low-income/Underserved
Communities, 22
Other nonprofits, 2
Disabled, 2SurvivorsAbuse,
1
Local Neighborhoods, 1
3
Occupy Movement, 2
Homeless, 6
AIDS/HIV, 4
Incarcerated/ Families of
Incarcerated, 3
Educators, 2
International, 3
Specified Need or Issue Area
WHAT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS OR NETWORKS ARE YOU
CONNECTED TO WITHIN IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
Arts Councils
CBOs
Churches
Community Boards
Community Gardens
Elected Officials
Galleries
Grassroots Organizations
Libraries
Museums
Non-profits
Schools
Senior Centers
Social Service Agencies
Union Organizers
YMCAs
Types Included:
See Appendix A for list
of organizations cited.
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR WORK AND HOW IT BRIDGES ARTS
AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Main Theme #1: “To raise visibility and give a voice.”
Main Theme #2: “To create engagement and interaction.”
Other prevalent themes:
– uniting communities
– empowering individuals
– opportunities to create and express
– providing access to art.
See Appendix B for
clarifying quotes.
ARE THERE SHARED CHARACTERISTICS FOR THE WORK
THAT HAPPENS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ARTS AND
SOCIAL JUSTICE? IF SO, BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SOME
COMMONALITIES.
There was a wide range of answers to this question with similar
themes emerging as in the previous question, such as
• Creating a voice for the voiceless
• Offering new perspectives
• Bringing together people within and across communities
• Sparking conversations
• Creating respect, empathy and understanding
• Advocating for change
• Self determination and expression
• Tell a story
• Educate
RANGING FROM "OFTEN" TO "RARELY" PLEASE ANSWER
THE QUESTIONS BELOW:
It is important for people working at this intersection to connect with others sharing their
values. The vast majority of respondents report being connected to others that share their
values.
While most respondents report that they have the tools needed to be effective and they
know where to turn to for needed resources, a significant number report that they rarely
have a support network to rely on.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
I am connected to others that
share my values
I have opportunities to
grow and develop
I have the tools needed to be
effective
I know where to turn to for needed
resources
I have a support network(s) that I
can rely on
Often Sometimes Rarely
84 responses
DESCRIBE OR LIST ANY ACTIVITIES THAT YOU UNDERTAKE
FOR YOUR OWN WELL-BEING OR SELF-CARE.
Time with Family and Friends
Exercise
Yoga
Prayer/Mediation
Reading/Writing
Connecting with like-minded
individuals
Eating well and making home
cooked meals.
Creating art.
“It is a constant struggle.”
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR PRACTICE IN TERMS OF
FINANCIAL RESOURCES?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Grants Artist Fees/ Honoraria
Residencies to Develop Work
Sales/ Earned Income
DonorsConsultations and ServicesEmployment Related to Practice
Commissions Employment Unrelated to Practice
Other
Often/Sometimes Rarely
80 responses
ARE THERE FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT ARE NO LONGER
AVAILABLE TO YOU?
51%
12% 12% 12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Foundation Support
Lost Job/Income
Government Grants
Individual Donors
51% of those responding to this question
reported losing foundation support.
41 responses
EFFECTIVENESS OF SUSTAINABILITY APPROACHES.
Most Effective:
• Skill or Resource Sharing – A third of respondents indicate this as
the most effective. 33% or respondents found it effective and 29%
found it somewhat effective.
• Individual Donor Engagement was found effective for 23% of
respondents and somewhat effective for about 40% or respondents.
• Grassroots Fundraising was found effective for 13% of respondents
and somewhat effective for 40%.
Under Utilized or With Mixed Reviews:
• Online Crowd Funding was reported to be the least used overall.
Only 4% of respondents found it effective, 25% found it somewhat
effective, and 17% found it not effective.
WHAT ARE SPECIFIC ISSUES OR CHALLENGES YOU
FACE THAT CURRENT NETWORKS ARE UNABLE TO
RESPOND TO?
1) Funding –
By far the most frequently mentioned challenge was sustainable financial
support. Many respondents mentioned not having health care as a
specific financial concern and several respondents spoke about the
burden of applying for grants and meeting their administrative
requirements. Several respondents spoke about the misunderstanding of
their work and the reluctance of artists and funders to get involved in
work with a political/social justice dimension.
2) Network/Community –
The second most frequently mentioned concern was a lack of a network
to turn to for advice, resource sharing and support.
WHAT ARE SPECIFIC ISSUES OR CHALLENGES YOU
FACE THAT CURRENT NETWORKS ARE UNABLE TO
RESPOND TO?
3) Lack of Time –
Several people mentioned not having adequate time and being
stretched too thin to accomplish all the necessary work.
4) Publicity/Promotion –
A number of respondents struggle with publicizing and promoting
their events especially when they often have to reframe their work
for various audiences.
Other:
Shared rehearsal and performance space and shared legal
assistance.
SJAC IS GROWING. WHAT CAN WE COUNT ON YOU FOR?
• 26 respondents said they would offer resources to the collaborative or
its participants including –• Leading workshops about food politics, environment, animal and people
communities, the politics of transportation or the politics of the built
environment, etc.
• Resources from Arts & Democracy and NOCD-NY - not financial, but
materials, approaches, workshops, and lessons learned
• Sharing information with social networks
• Collaborating on projects.
• Providing event/meeting space.
• 19 respondents could host future events
• 29 respondents are interested in joining the work group to further
shape the collaborative
• 54 are interested in participating in future networking opportunities
WORK GROUP MEMBERS
The organizations & individuals that have shaped the Social Justice Artists’ Collaborative are:
Clarla Eliana Godoy Languna - Art for Change
Charles Rice-Gonzalez & Arthur Aviles - Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD!)
Erin Gleason - Crown Heights Film Festival
Meghan McDermott - Global Action Project (GAP)
Michael Primo - Hip-Hop Theater Festival
Shannon Brunette - Lambent Foundation
Kay Tekada & Prachi Pa - Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC)
Jessica Green - Maysles Institute
Sandra Garcia-Betancourt - Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA)
Karen Demavivas - NYFA Immigrant Artist Project
Kemi Illesanmi, Petrushka Basin, Rise Wilson - The Laundromat Project
Irini Neofotistos & Iris Morales - Union Square Awards
Beatriz Gil, Leenda Bonilla, Carlos Martinez, Elizabeth Hamby, & Hatuey Ramos Fermin Individual Artists
APPENDIX A: WHAT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS OR
NETWORKS ARE YOU CONNECTED TO WITHIN IN YOUR
COMMUNITY?
50/50 in 2020
ACNY
Actors Equity Association
Astraea Foundation
Barnard College
Bella Abzug Leadership Institute
Betty Shabazz Center
BRIC
Broadway Housing Communities
Bronx AIDS Services
Bronx Artisan's Initiative
Bronx Arts Group
Bronx Council on the Arts
Bronx Economic Development
Bronx Non Profit Coalition
Bronx Price
Brooklyn Food Conference
Brooklyn Friends
Campaign to End the Death Penalty
Catskills Heritage Alliance
Center for Urban Pedagogy
Choral Consortium of NYC
Columbia University
Community Services Society
Cooper Union
District Committee for Participatory Budgeting
Diversity Council at Kean University
Doors Youth
Ecology Station Brooklyn
Eldert Street Community Garden
Feminist Press
Flomenhaft Gallery
Fresh Ground Pepper
Gay Men's Chorus
Greenlight District El Puente
Groundswell Community Mural
Harlem Arts Alliance
Hendricks Martin Institute
HERE Arts Center
Hispanic AIDS Forum
Humans Rights Association
Independent School Diversity Network
INSPIRIT
Jewish Genealogy Society
Slide 1 of 2
APPENDIX A: WHAT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS OR
NETWORKS ARE YOU CONNECTED TO WITHIN IN YOUR
COMMUNITY?
Jewish Voice for Peace
Justseeds
La Union
Lavender Light
Leslie Lohman Museum of
Gay Contemporary Art
LIC Artists
Longwood Arts Gallery
Make the Road
Man Up Campaign
Men Can Stop Rape
Mental Health Association of New Jersey
Metropolitan Community Church
Morris Jumel Mansion
Motel Room Studios
Mothers on the Move
Mountain Keepers
Mural Arts
National Council for Research on Women
National Organization for
Men Against Sexism
New Brooklyn Theater
New York Foundation for the Arts
NOCD-NY
NOMAA
Northern Manhattan Coalition for
Immigrant Rights
Odyssey House
On the Issues Magazine
Park Slope Food Coop
People's Institute for Survival
and Beyond
Pepatian
Pergones Theater
Pipeline Theater Company
Queer Urban Orchestra
SAG-AFTRA
SAGE
Social Justice High School
Bushwick Campus
Start Small Think Big
Studio 889
The DreamYard Project
The Feminist Art Project
The House of Spoof Collective
The LGBT Center
The New Jim Crow
The Point CDC
The Tank
Third Wave Foundation
United Palace for Cultural
Arts
Voice Male Magazine
West End Collegiate Church
West Village Society for
Historic Preservation
Women of Color Policy
Network
Women's Enews
Word Up Bookstore
WOW Café Theater
Slide 2 of 2
APPENDIX B: BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR WORK AND HOW IT
BRIDGES ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
“Working as an art therapist with under represented persons allows for communities
to be heard. Themes for the artwork includes communities perceptions (how they are
being seen and how they want to be seen) and advocacy. We exhibit artwork in the
community (e.g., pop up galleries, court buildings, and small shows amongst peers)
as a way to practice sharing their knowledge with others.”
“With each of our free programs, we strive to offer safe and creative platform for our
community members to share their voice and struggles. As a community, they now have
a space where they can share with the world their own stories through the creation of
original social justice theatre that brings focus and attention to issues they are affected
by.”
“Work with "At-Risk-Young People" using art to build a connection between them and
their community. Created intergenerational art programs where young people and
elders work together to create an art project, in a effort to close the gap between the
generations, so that they can talk to each other. Once they can hear and share what
the other's needs are, we can begin to work towards removing the social illnesses
running through our communities.”
Slide 1 of 2
APPENDIX B: BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR WORK AND HOW IT
BRIDGES ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
“We give educators tools to engage in conversations about race with their students in
kindergarten through fifth grade. We use role-play to allow the participants to practice
what they would say if they were in certain real-life scenarios.”
“The location and time of my media/performances is intended to intersect with
demographics that may be at that location at that time; I find people who might not be
culture vultures to be a more interesting viewer than the galleristas.”
“Social Practice, is the utilization of an artist's art form welded with an intellectual, research and
experiment based production which seeks to make work that is relevant in the social realm.
Historically, I have vehemently asserted that artists need to regain their position at the forefront of
social, critical, and technological innovation, right alongside scientists and academics. I feel it is
critically important to reinvest our intellectual practice within the art realm, in order to dovetail the
innovation that art allows with the critically important aspects of the scientific and academic realms.
Without the innovation possible within the art mindset, science can be stifled by restrictive academic
dogma. Without the intellectual heft of science and academic importance, I feel art can be doomed to
social irrelevance. In this critical time in world history, without a concerted effort to unite innovators
across disciplines, I feel the incredibly complex issues and problems we are facing as a nation, as a
people, and as a planet will not be adequately addressed or properly and comprehensively solved.”
Slide 2 of 2