Critical Social Inquiry 0267 - Artivism:

In moments of political and economic crises, activist-artists -- or artivists -- consistently and creatively respond to the call for social change. They generate art as social action and also realize a new social world into being through art. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives, this seminar investigates the "who, what, where, when, why and how" of creative artistic resistance. We will discuss the interrelationships between: art, activism, and the social imagination; the tensions between the "real" and the "imaginary"; public art and community engagement; the role of art in social movements; the function and responsibility of artistic institutions (museums, community art centers, etc.); the relationship between art, gentrification, and creative economies in under-resourced communities; how art can build new or alternative public sphere(s); analyze political art vs. activist art; understand community based art vs. art-based community making; and examine the impact of artistic expressions and movements in transforming collective mentalities or consciousness.

Power, Community and Social Justice Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.