Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff discuss their approach to the fall and winter of harvesting and rest. Jeff shares his discussion with Natlie Elam and Bronwyn Mauldin about their new report “Agents of Change: Young Adult Advisory Councils at Arts and Culture Nonprofits.” The discussion covers diverse topics of intergenerationality, intentionality, and our commitments to evolution. In this episode you’ll learn: The findings of a new report about young adult advisory councils in arts and culture organizations; How intergenerational research can be conducted successfully; and Why evolutionary practice must be embedded throughout knowledge exchange in the arts and culture sector. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Agents of Change: Young Adult Advisory Councils at Arts and Culture Nonprofits Democratize Your Data zine by Bronwyn Mauldin Practicing Equitable Intergenerational Collaboration by Jeff M. Poulin https://www.lacountyarts.org/learning/research-evaluation/research-lab and http://www.bronwynmauldin.com About Natalie Elam & Bronwyn Mauldin Bronwyn Mauldin is Director of Research and Evaluation at the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture where she leads a team that utilizes data and research methods to strengthen the arts ecology and ensure all residents have equitable access to the arts. She has conducted studies on salaries, benefits, and volunteers in local arts nonprofits. She co-led creation of the Arts Ed Profile, collecting K-12 arts education data from all 80 public school districts in LA County and making it publicly available through an online interactive tool. She was a key instigator of the annual Arts Datathon, and she is adjunct faculty in the arts administration master’s program at Claremont Graduate University. Ms. Mauldin has spent her career conducting applied research and evaluation for nonprofits, philanthropies, and government. She has evaluated farmworker programs, studied employment conditions for truck drivers, analyzed apprenticeship opportunities in healthcare, and researched villager organizing in rural northeast Thailand. Ms. Mauldin is a novelist, poet, and zine maker, and has been a writer in residence at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, Denali National Park in Alaska, and Kulturni Centar REX in Belgrade, Serbia. Natalie Elam is a research consultant at the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and Annual Giving Communications Manager at Santa Clara University. Natalie holds a Masters of Arts in Arts Management from the Center For Business & Management of the Arts at Claremont Graduate University, where she graduated in December 2021. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Santa Clara University in June 2019. Outside of the professional sphere, Natalie enjoys traveling, volunteering, cooking, creating art, and reading. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss their latest news and how we remain connected as colleagues. Jeff shares his conversation with Dr. Peter O‘Connor from the Centre for the Arts and Social Transformation at the University of Auckland. They discuss the role of the arts in human development, recovery, and wellbeing. Ashraf and Jeff conclude their thoughts and intergenerationality, the role of the arts in schools, and the social responsibility of evolving our communities. In this episode you’ll learn: About the role of the arts in social transformation; How teaching artists can build and impact communities; and The ways in which artists and academics can integrate their work to advance discourses for our sector. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: The Centre for the Arts and Social Transformation at the University of Auckland Te Rito Toi International Teaching Artists Conference 7 Allison Russell: The transmogrification of trauma into art ABOUT PETER O’CONNOR: Professor O’Connor is the Director of the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, The Centre researches on the possibilities for the arts to create more socially just and equitable worlds. He is an internationally recognised expert in making and researching applied theatre and drama education. He has made theatre in prisons, psychiatric hospitals, earthquake zones and with the homeless. . His work in Christchurch schools following the series of earthquakes led to UNESCO funded research and programme development and the development of the Teaspoon of Light Theatre Company which then worked in Mexico City after major earthquakes in 2017. Peter's most recent research includes multi and interdisciplinary studies on the creative pedagogies and the arts, the nature of embodied learning and the pedagogy of surprise. In 2019 the play he directed with the Hobson Street Theatre Company, New Zealand's only theatre company for people who are or have been homeless, won the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Community Arts Award. He continued his theatre making with the homeless at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles in conjunction with the Skid Row Housing Trust. In 2020 He was presented with the President's Award by Drama New Zealand for his life long contribution to Drama education and social justice. He led the development of Te Rito Toi, an on line resource to support the return to schools during COVID 19 by using an arts and well being approach. Used in 120 countries around the world, the site had over 280,000 page views in its first month of use. He leads the University of Auckland team working alongside the Sir John Kirwan Foundation on a mental health education approach for Primary schools. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss their change of personal and professional seasons, including Madeleine’s cross-sector work. Jeff shares his interview with Lisa Donovan which covers a broad array of topics from arts integration to community development, network building, and even professional learning. Madeleine and Jeff discuss the asset-based approaches of cross-sector work, the strength of practitioners at the intersections, and inherent knowledge of rural communities. In this episode you’ll learn: The expansive role of the arts intersecting with numerous sectors of community life; How arts education and arts management practices lead the way in cross-sector dialogues; and The multitude of ways cultural practitioners can advance dialogues about social change through multi-sector advocacy. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Voices from the field: Teachers’ views on the relevance of arts integration Shell Education books on Arts Integration by Lisa Donovan Teacher as Curator: Formative Assessment and Arts-Based Strategies Leveraging Change—Increasing Access to Arts Education in Rural Areas The Berkshire County Blueprint for Arts Integration and Education Berkshire Regional Arts Integration Network (BRAINworks) Berkshire Cultural Asset Network (BCAN) Think Like A Region TED Talk ABOUT LISA DONOVAN: Lisa Donovan, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. A theater artist, educator, administrator and researcher. Before joining MCLA Lisa was the Director of the Creative Arts in Learning Division at Lesley University. She has a broad range of experience in a variety of arts organizations including: Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the Berkshire Opera Company, Barrington Stage Company, University of Massachusetts Department of Theater, as well as Boston University's Theater, Visual Arts, and Tanglewood Institutes. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance for Arts Education, has served as co-principal investigator of a research project funded by the Ford Foundation that focused on teachers' perspectives on the relevance of arts integration. Lisa has taught internationally in Japan and Israel, and throughout the United States. She is co-editor of a new book series on arts integration published by Shell Education including Integrating the Arts Across the Content Areas (2012), Strategies to Integrate the Arts in Mathematics (2013) and Strategies to Integrate the Arts in English Language Arts (2013) This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? Jeff shares some reflections about the resilience of the creative community in his home state of Maine in the wake of recent tragedy. He interviews longtime arts education leader and advocate, Argy Nestor, who shares reflections on changemaking at the local, state, and international levels. They reflect on working together, perseverance, and a commitment to investing in people and relationships. In this episode you’ll learn: How the arts are naturally integrated into our teaching, learning, and ways of life; Ways to center relationships in cultivating the next generation of leaders and changemakers; and Why committing to creative and education practices can make the difference in our work. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Argy’s Point of View: Maine Arts Ed blog Maine Arts Education Partners in Leadership HundrED Teaching and Learning in Malawi Argy Nestor & Lindsay Pinchbeck Catching Fireflies book Enough. Plays to End Gun Violence Supporting Victims and Families of the Tragedy in Lewiston ABOUT ARGY NESTOR: Argy Nestor has been passionate about education for 40 years. She started her career as a visual arts teacher (30 years), served as the visual and performing arts specialist at the Maine Department of Education (7 years) and was the Director of Arts Education at the Maine Arts Commission since 2013. Argy serves on the Arts Education Advisory Council with the Americans for the Arts. Argy received her master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, Orono and Bachelor of Arts in Arts Education from Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ. Argy is most proud of the collaborative accomplishments of the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI). She is deeply committed to facilitating learning opportunities for educators knowing that it will impact the achievement of all students. The arts education community in Maine is strong and many teachers have been invited to the table at the local level due to their involvement in MALI. Argy has a popular blog at meartsed.wordpress.com/ where she makes daily posts with a plethora of information and the stories of educators, students, and arts organizations. Argy is the 1995 Maine Teacher of the Year. In 2014 she was the recipient of the National Art Education Association Distinguished Service Award. She was named the 2013 Maine Art Educator Advocate of the Year and the 2012 Art in the Heart Advocate. Argy was presented the Maine Middle Level Association Outstanding Middle Level Educator of the Year Award in 2005. She traveled with the Fulbright Memorial Fund Teachers program to Japan in 2000. During Argy’s career she has presented at the regional, state, and national level on curriculum integration, literacy, assessment, gifted and talented, advocacy, and the value of arts education at the heart of all curriculum. In July 2016 Argy had an amazing opportunity to travel to Malawi, Africa where she worked with teachers providing a 10 - day arts integration workshop. In 2023, Argy co-authored “Catching Firelies” with poet Jean Feldeisen. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff discuss their recent work and draw connections to Jeff’s interview. Jeff shares his conversation with Jean Hendrickson, a champion for arts integration in her community and around the world. They discuss the opportunities and challenge of scaling and the bravery needed to achieve it. Rachael and Jeff share their hopes and frustrations with adoption of permission practices in education reform. In this episode you’ll learn: About a model of whole school arts integration and how it emerged; How the story of a champion of arts integration influenced the adoption of a practice; and Why the arts should remain at the center of all we do as educators, leaders, and advocates. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Sorgente research project Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma A+ Essentials framework S3 Ep14: Grasping The Aerosol Of Creativity With Michael Anderson Preparing Educators for Arts Integration: Placing Creativity at the Center of Learning book The A+ Schools Program: School, Community, Teacher, and Student Effects. (Report #6 in a series of seven Policy Reports Summarizing the Four-Year Pilot of A+ Schools in North Carolina) About Jean Hendrickson Director emeritus of Oklahoma A+ Schools at the University of Central Oklahoma, Jean is a speaker and writer who consults with those that share her belief that all children are entitled to a rich, full, educational experience that equips them to take their rightful place in the world. She works with groups such as the National A+ Schools Consortium (www.nationalaplusschools.org), the Americans for the Arts, Crystal Bridges, and other like-minded organizations working to put the arts in their rightful place in schools and communities. Executive director for OKA+ Schools from 2003-2014, Jean directed development across the state and fostered national and international partnerships. OKA+ Schools’ model has been cited in such works as Sir Ken Robinson’s books, Creative Schools and The Element, the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities’ landmark report Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future through Creative Schools, the latter of which launched the nationwide Turnaround Arts initiative for which she served as a member of the team that trained the schools’ cadres for the first two years. Jean authored a chapter in the book Preparing Educators for Arts Integration, a project of the Arts Education Partnership’s Higher Ed Task Force, and has contributed numerous articles and other works to such as Education Week, Americans for the Arts, and other educational organizations. Described by Sir Ken as “one of the most impressive people I know in education,” Jean was a principal in Oklahoma City for seventeen years and named National Distinguished Principal in 2001 as well as receiving many other recognitions throughout her career. Jean received her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, and the “Outstanding Future Teacher” award from Oklahoma City University. She received her master’s, also summa, from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has served on numerous boards, as a founding member of Creative Oklahoma, a trustee for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Visionary Oklahoma Women and founding member of Harding Fine Arts Academy in Oklahoma City. She and her husband reside in Oklahoma City. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff discuss their upcoming work plans. Rachael shares her interview with theater-maker Kady Robinson. They discuss Kady’s work exploring gender fluidity in contrast with growing up in Australian military culture. Rachael and Jeff unpick the implications of challenging work with young creatives and the programs which support them. In this episode you’ll learn: How intersectional social identities can be explored through art-making; The ways programs support and protect young creatives challenging dominant narratives in their work; and Strategies that the education and creative sectors can hold space for socially engaged art-making. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Universal Income for Creative Workers in Ireland PYT Fairfield Stage Soldiers at PYT Fairfield World Pride Australia 2023 S2 Ep21: Creativity In Conflict With Chen Alon “Safeguarding Artistic Freedom,” the 9th World Summit Discussion Paper Student Artwork in U.S. Capitol - Washington Post For support, please visit Trans Lifeline. ABOUT KADY ROBINSON: Kady Robinson [working title] (she/her) is a debuting performer, writer and theatre maker from Campbelltown. They graduated from UOW with a Bachelor of Creative Arts Theatre in 2017 and joined PYT Fairfield’s Ensemble program in 2019. They have toured with youngstars2.com’s children’s performances for 4 years and have performed in many of the amateur musical productions by Campbelltown’s World Of Fine Theatre And Music (WOFTAM). This episode was produced by Rachael Jacobs; the executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff discuss their upcoming work and big ideas. Jeff shares his interview with Antonio Cuyler, an arts administration educator, researcher, and musician focused on achieving creative justice through access, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Rachael and Jeff discuss the value of multi-hyphenated perspectives in dialogues on the topic and how we work together to advance a common racial justice agenda. In this episode you’ll learn: Ways that the cultural and creative sector can protect the creative justice of marginalized people; How practitioners can explore access, diversity, equity, and inclusion towards broader goals; and Strategies of collaboration to advance a common racial justice agenda through the arts and creativity. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Sorgente, a research project with refugee and migrant communities Mark Banks’ “Creative Justice” The Role of Foundations in Achieving Creative Justice by Antonio Cuyler in GIA Reader Making It A Movement, Not A Moment by André Solomon on Creative Generation blog S3 Ep16: Curiosity To Drive Equitable Funding With Porché Hardy on the Why Change? podcast Creativity For Good: Applying Creativity For Social Transformation by Jeff M. Poulin on Creative Generation blog Statement to the media by the United Nations’ Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, on the conclusion of its official visit to USA, 19-29 January 2016 Towards An Enriched Understanding Of Arts Integration by Jeff M. Poulin on Creative Generation blog Practicing Equitable Intergenerational Collaboration by Vida Manalang & Jeff M. Poulin on Creative Generation blog Moving Beyond @operaisracist by Antonio Cuyler Professional Identities In Arts & Cultural Education: “Arts Hybrids” As Cultural Knowledge Brokers by Jordan Campbell on Creative Generation blog ABOUT ANTONIO CUYLER: Antonio C. Cuyler, Ph.D. (he/him/his) is Professor of Music in Entrepreneurship & Leadership in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) at the University of Michigan. He is the author of Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Cultural Organizations: Insights from the Careers of Executive Opera Managers of Color in the U. S., editor of Arts Management, Cultural Policy, & the African Diaspora, and most recently co-author of Racial/Ethnic and Gender Diversity in the Orchestra Field in 2023. He also founded Cuyler Consulting, LLC, a Black-owned arts consultancy that partners with cultural organizations to maximize their performance and community relevance through access, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI). This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change?, co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff share their recent creative endeavors and what they’ve learned from recent podcast guests. Madeleine shares her interview with Michael Rohd about his work at the intersection of artistic and civic practice. They discuss the intersection of arts and other sectors, working in systemic change, and centering those most impacted. In this episode you’ll learn: Strategies to make the case for the arts engagement in the civil sector cross-sectorally; How to use your (and others!) practice to balance systems change while authentically engaging with social issues; and How to continue learning at every step of your journey. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Sojourn Theatre The Center for Performance and Civic Practice Co-Lab for Civic Imagination at the University of Montana 7th International Teaching Artist Conference Young & Emerging Leaders Forum 2023-24 Cohort Announced ABOUT Michael Rohd Michael is a theatre-maker, educator, process designer, writer and facilitator. His research and creative practice is focused on civic imagination. He has a 30+ year history of projects across sectors bringing cultural activity to the work of public engagement, community planning and cross-sector coalition building. In 1992 in Washington DC, Michael co-founded Hope Is Vital, an arts & public health program that, over 8 years, helped start up theatre-based public engagement/HIV prevention coalitions in over 80 communities around the US. In 1999, Michael co founded Sojourn Theatre and served as artistic director for 20 years, co-creating & directing nearly 30 devised, often site-specific and participatory theatre works. In 2012, he co-founded the Center for Performance and Civic Practice, a collective of nine artist/facilitators who work with organizations and agencies around the country on community research, transformational process and system change. He is currently Civic Collaborations Director for One Nation One Project, a national arts/municipality/public health project & research cohort in partnership with National League of Cities and he is co-designer/ co-facilitator for Art-Train, a virtual national technical assistance program in partnership with Springboard for the Arts. He recently founded the Co-Lab for Civic Imagination at the University of Montana, and he is author of the book Theatre for Community, Conflict and Dialogue (Heinemann Press). This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the season of change in their work. Jeff shares his interview with Porché Hardy, an arts program officer from the Wallace Foundation. They discuss the changing landscape and processes of philanthropy towards more equitable giving; primarily through humble curiosity. Ashraf and Jeff think about the implications for the broader field of arts, culture, and creativity funding in the U.S. In this episode you’ll learn: How funding processes can be more equitable for a variety of funders; Why listening, learning, and flexibility are key factors in the equitable distribution of resources; and The power of humility in continuous improvement. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: The Wallace Foundation The Foundation’s five-year initiative focused on arts organizations of color" S3 Ep10: Reframing Philanthropy with Nikki Kirk ABOUT PORCHÉ HARDY: Porché is an arts administrator and senior program officer with The Wallace Foundation who brings deep expertise and experience working with teams in both government and nonprofits to develop programs to help build a stronger arts sector and a more equitable pathway to social change through arts funding and arts education. She began her arts administration career at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center where she grew from intern to Associate Director of Arts Training before shifting to community based arts education as Assistant Director of the Institute of Music for Children. She leveraged her experience of non profit arts leadership to further improvements in arts funding as a Program Officer with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Porché is also a performer and holds a BA in Sociology from Rutgers University. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration there, as well. She is an alumna of the William Esper Studio and has studied classical music (voice) at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Montclair State University, and privately with award-winning singers and coaches. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss their work related to advocacy for teaching artists and systems change. Madeleine shares her interview with Gowri Savoor, a teaching artist focused on empathy and relationship building through community arts projects, especially for climate change. The discussion connects narrative building to arts-research to advocacy strategies and how we learn them! In this episode you’ll learn: How the arts can cultivate empathy in relationships between people, places, and the planet; The ways we can use our multihyphenate identities to strengthen our projects and their impact; and About our professional responsibility as practitioners to advocate for ourselves, our field, and changes to the systems which impact our work. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: Gowri’s website Tiny Hero Tales A River of Light Teaching Artists Connect Teaching Artists Connect ITAC IMPACT: Climate Teaching Artistry for Social Impact: The Course Embedding Advocacy into Your Practice by Jeff M. Poulin (Teaching Artists Guild) Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World by Eric Booth S1. E7: Anchoring in Love with Sangeeta Isvaran ABOUT GOWRI SAVOOR: Gowri Savoor is a visual-teaching artist whose practice includes sculpture, illustration, and writing. Born in England, she moved to the US in 2007. Savoor has been a teaching artist for over 20 years and has partnered with multiple organizations in the UK and across the US, including Community Engagement Lab (VT), Lincoln Center Education (NY), The Learning Alliance (FL), and ITAC—the International Teaching Artist Collaborative. Savoor is the instigator of A River of Light, a movement committed to bringing art to the community through participatory art events, installations, and lantern parades. She is also the co-founder of Teaching Artists Connect, an organization providing creative and inspiring professional development workshops for teaching artists and educators in North Carolina and beyond. When she isn’t making, teaching, or dreaming about art, she can be found walking through the woods with a little red dog. This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk; the executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss their recent work supporting arts engagements with young creatives around the world. Jeff shares his interview with Professor Michael Anderson, Co-Director of the CREATE Centre at the University of Sydney. The dialogues focus on creative transformation for pedagogy, schools, and education systems - and how we can catalyze it! In this episode you’ll learn: About the 4 Cs of school and education transformation; How interpersonal relations can drive change personally, in organizations, and systems; and Why we need to close the policy-pedagogy gap right now! Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: The CREATE Centre at the University of Sydney 4C Transformative Learning Transforming Schools by Michael Anderson and Miranda Jefferson Transforming Education by Michael Anderson and Miranda Jefferson Centring Creative Youth in Community Development” webinar by Jeff M. Poulin at the CREATE Centre The PISA 2022 Creative Thinking Assessment from the OECD ABOUT MICHAEL ANDERSON: Professor Michael Anderson is an internationally recognised educational leader. He has taught, researched and published in education and transformation for over 20 years including 17 books and 55 book chapters and journal articles. His international research and practice focus on how the 4Cs can be integrated using coherent frameworks to make learning meet the needs of 21st Century learners. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Karla discuss their recent collaboration. Madeleine shares her interview with Khairina Khalid who talks about her intergenerational, international collaborations. They all discuss the role of mentorship and using our artistry to drive powerful collaborations around the world. In this episode you’ll learn: How intergenerational mentorship can spur global dialogue; The ways our practice can improve by harnessing our identity as artists; and Why working together strengthens our process, projects, and networks. Check out some of the things mentioned during this podcast, including: ITAC Innovators Call to Action collaboration between Scotland and Singapore The Living Newspaper project Teater Ekamatra ABOUT KHAIRINA KHALID: Khairina Khalid is a Singaporean producer and production manager who enjoys working on productions that touch on socio-political issues, as well as projects that give a voice for the minority community. Having first been involved in Ekamatra’s youth incubation programme back in 2014, Khai has grown together with the company for almost a decade. Most recently, she produced and facilitated Call To Action, an online and cross-cultural interpretation of the Living Newspaper, that aims to engage with young people, through digital and online techniques. To date, the Call To Action programme has seen 3 editions and has impacted over a hundred youths globally. In 2022, Call To Action was awarded the CDN Digital Learning Award (UK) for its impact as a social learning tool for young people. Currently, she is exploring more ways to create programmes for youths and young audiences, to create more meaningful work that champions the ethnic minority culture and traditions. She is currently the General Manager of Teater Ekamatra in Singapore. This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk; the executive producer is Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s webpage and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the field building support of the Creative Youth Development (CYD) field of practice in the United states. Ashraf interviews Kaäthe Swaback from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Matt D’Arrigo from the Clare Rose Foundation and their work with the CYD Funders Forum. Ashraf and Jeff discuss definitions, multiple perspectives, power, and responsibilities to cultivate the conditions for this field to thrive! In this episode you’ll learn: How the many perspectives we bring from our past work can contribute to field-building a community of practice; The ways that funders share knowledge and contribute to intertwined strategies; and Why we should invest small acts into a greater momentum of change. Some things from the episode: Clare Rose Center for Creative Youth Development: https://clarerosecenterforcyd.org/ Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Youth Development (CYD): https://massculturalcouncil.org/creative-youth-development/ CultureRx: Social Prescription pilot: https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/study-unveils-benefits-recommendations-for-social-prescription/ Raw Art Works: https://www.rawartworks.org/ The Boston Youth Arts Evaluation Project: https://massculturalcouncil.org/creative-youth-development/boston-youth-arts-evaluation-project/ CYD National Partnership: https://www.creativeyouthdevelopment.org/ Youth Arts Impact Network: https://youthartsimpactnetwork.weebly.com/ 3C Data Alliance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XYgdYZep1Xzs2n5PEx2e5vlH5gkHC5Zo/view Ten dimensions of powerful arts education: https://hewlett.org/powerful-arts-education-practice/ Sign up for the CYD Funders forum by emailing katie@clarerosefoundation.org About Käthe Swaback Käthe Swaback is a visual artist and arts administrator with an M.A. in art therapy. In 2019, Käthe joined Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Youth Development (CYD) team where she also co-leads the arts and health initiative, CultureRx: Social Prescription pilot. Her passion for exploring the impact of the intersections of social justice, health, and community building through the arts stems from and is fueled by over 25 years of work as an art therapist and program director in CYD organizations and collaborating in CYD initiatives (Raw Art Works, The Boston Youth Arts Evaluation Project, the CYD National Partnership, and currently, the Youth Arts Impact Network, and the 3C Data Alliance). About Matt D’Arrigo Matt D’Arrigo has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to being a champion and advocate for the arts and young people. He is the Director of Creative Youth Development at the Clare Rose Foundation and the Co-Founder of The Clare Rose Center for Creative Youth Development (CYD) in San Diego, CA. The Center is a backbone organization and philanthropic intermediary established to ensure that CYD funders, practitioners, organizations, and young people have access to the resources, tools, opportunities, and relationships they need to thrive. With a small team, D’Arrigo oversees local, regional, and national strategy, investments, advocacy, coalition building, and field building activities. This episode was produced by Ashraf Hasham. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff talk about working within systems to change those systems. Jeff shares his interview with Dr. Jorge Lucero focused on his book and work about “Conceptual Art’s Permissions” which can be employed in arts education. Karla and Jeff break down the ideas and think about how they can use these permissions to move towards systems of abundance. In this episode you’ll learn: About Conceptual Art’s Permissions in arts education; How our stories can inform the ways we navigate systems in culture and education; and Ways in which we can apply disruptive tactics to reimagine systems and our work. Some things from the episode: “TEACHER AS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE: THE MOST RADICAL FORM OF EXPRESSION TO EVER EXIST” Projects “Creative Generation: Ethnographic And Heuristic Approach To Inquiry” Art Education Hub Jorge Lucero is a Mexican-American artist who currently serves as Associate Professor of Art Education in the School of Art + Design at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Sometimes he serves as the Chair of that program. Lucero received his Master degree and PhD from The Pennsylvania State University and his undergraduate degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Prior to moving into higher education Lucero happily taught art and art history at the Chicago Public School, Northside College Prep. As part of his lifelong work to test the material and conceptual pliability of "school" Lucero participates in and around the academy in every manner possible. He has exhibited, performed, published, presented on, served as editor and reviewer, and taught through his work in galleries, schools and school districts, books, journals, conferences, workshops, museums, community organizations, performances, advisory boards, and artist residencies. Exhibitions that Lucero has participated in have been written about and covered in ArtForum; Sculpture; NewCity; the Chicago Tribune; the Sun-Times; Gaper's Block; DNAinfo, WTTW's Chicago Tonight; WGLT.org; and the PBS Digital Studio. Lucero is the editor of the compendiums Mere and Easy: Collage as a Critical Practice in Pedagogy (2016, U of I Press)**, What Happens at the Intersection of Conceptual Art and Teaching? (2023, w/ Catalina Hernandez Cabal through the Amsterdam University of the Arts), and several other volumes. He’s also the author of Teacher as Artist-in-Residence: The Most Radical Form of Expression to Ever Exist (2020, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). Lucero is also Conceptual Art & Teaching, an ongoing project that is simultaneously a hub, archive, and artwork at the increasingly active intersection where conceptual art and teaching practices meet. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Ashraf discuss their perspectives on navigating work and life. Ashraf shares his interview with Nikki Kirk, a cultural equity practitioner who focuses her work on reframing the role of philanthropy in the cultural sector. Karla and Ashraf break down the throughlines of Nikki’s work through the use of linguistics, community-driven funding, and ‘radical’ approaches to systems change. In this episode you’ll learn: About the role of language in framing the purpose of philanthropy; How communities can drive funding priorities towards goals of equity; and The ways change can be radical and productive within larger systems. Some things from the episode: Indy Arts Council Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship A Look Into What Drives Changemakers From The First Season Of Why Change? The Podcast For A Creative Generation Why Change? Why Poetry?: Poetry Is The Language Of The People Making It A Movement, Not A Moment, an analysis of funder perspectives About Nikki Kirk Nikki Kirk (she/her) is a cultural equity practitioner who is dedicated to advocating for systemically excluded and institutionally oppressed populations. She has worked across the country centering on youth and leadership development, and supporting local, regional, and national communities. Through her work with organizations like Americans for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning, and El Sistema USA, she has supported individual and organizational growth. Nikki has diverse experience as a grant manager, facilitator, curriculum developer, program coordinator, project manager, mentor, and advisor. She currently serves as the Director of Community Impact & Investment with the Indy Arts Council, as well as a Project Consultant for the Aspen Institute’s Artist Endowed Foundations Initiative. Nikki earned a Master’s degree in Arts, Festival, and Cultural Management from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she researched the impact of programming at the intersection of arts and social justice. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Linguistics from Pitzer College in southern California, where she affirmed her interests in and the significance of language and identity, human rights, and cross-cultural understanding. This episode was produced by Ashraf Hasham. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff check in about their work advancing arts education globally. Madeleine shares her recent conversation with teaching artist, Eric Booth about his new book. Madeleine and Jeff debrief by reflecting on the field of practice, how it has evolved, and where it is going. In this episode you’ll learn: About Eric’s new book, “Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World;” How the field of teaching artistry has shifted and will continue to shift; and Radical new ideas for the future of the work. Some things from the episode: Eric’s Website ITAC Webpage: “Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World” Book Webpage Eric's first episode on Why Change? Podcast “Embedding Advocacy Into Your Practice” by Jeff Poulin About Eric Booth As an actor, Eric Booth performed in many plays on Broadway, Off-Broadway and around the country, playing over 23 Shakespearean roles (Hamlet three times), and winning “Best Actor” awards on both coasts. Throughout 1981, he performed the American tour of Alec McCowen’s one-man play St. Mark’s Gospel. He has performed many times on television, directed five productions, and produced two plays in New York. As a businessman, he started a small company, Alert Publishing, that in seven years became the largest of its kind in the U.S. analyzing research on trends in American lifestyles and publishing newsletters, books, and reports. He became a major figure in trend analysis, frequently quoted by the major media with interviews often appearing in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. He appeared as an expert on NBC News, Sunday Today, and several times on CNN. He was given a syndicated radio program on the Business Radio Network, and was a frequent speaker to business groups. He sold his company in 1991 in order to work full time on passion projects in arts learning. As an author, he has had seven books published. His newest book (2019) is Tending the Perennials: The Art and Spirit of a Personal Religion. This is a companion book to The Everyday Work of Art which was a brief bestseller, won three awards and was a Book of the Month Club selection. He has written three dozen magazine articles, was the Founding Editor of the Teaching Artist Journal, and his book The Music Teaching Artist’s Bible was published by Oxford University Press in 2009. Playing for Their Lives (co-authored with Tricia Tunstall) (W.W. Norton, 2016) sprang from studying El Sistema-inspired programs in 25 countries around the world. His latest book Tending the Perennials: The Art and Spirit of a Personal Religion (2019) focuses on the ways art and spirituality overlap in everyday life. He has placed articles in the Harvard Education Review/Focus Issue on Arts Education, in the special creativity focus issue of Educational Leadership, in Symphony magazine, as well as the creativity chapter in the Routledge International Handbook on Arts Education (2015). This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Jeff and Madeleine check in about recent adventures and share Madeleine’s interview with Pawel Pokutycki. Pawel works at the intersection of the arts, technology, and community dialogues about the future. They all discuss new possibilities for the future, and new projects that are leading the way. In this episode you’ll learn: How transcending spaces, places, and communities can foster new perspectives on our work; The intersection of technologies to reimagine possible futures; and The potential for youth and artists creating solutions to current social challenges. About Pawel Pokutycki Pawel Pokutycki (PL/NL) is an interaction designer, researcher and lecturer at the Royal Academy of Art (KABK) in The Hague and Design Academy Eindhoven, The Netherlands. In 2005 he initiated early activities of the RFID Lab, later called the AR+RFID Lab, an experimental interdisciplinary platform for research in the application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies in the field of art and design. His recent projects focus on exploring relationships between new media theory, political, social and cultural studies by concept development and prototyping for interactive media. This episode was produced by Madeleine McGirk. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

In this episode of Why Change? co-host Jeff M. Poulin chats with Dr. Camea Davis about poetry and education research. Through the dialogue, Camea shares her work developing an approach to critical poetic inquiry and the outcomes of using it to analyze Season 2 of this podcast! Her poetic work is embedded throughout the episode. In this episode you’ll learn: About poetic inquiry and how it can be used in education research; How poems can be used as data and artifact to expanding loved experiences; and Through Camea’s poetry about the common ideas shared in Season 2 of the Why Change? podcast. Some things from the episode: Poetic Inquiry Blogs National Youth Poet Laureate Program First Wave Program Social Justice in Education Award (2015) Lecture: Gloria J. Ladson-Billings Dear Womb- a Love Letter book Camea’s Spoken Word Album Camea’s website What is poetic inquiry? ABER at AERA Tricia Hersey Linda Krakauers’ “Arts Integration and the Success of Disadvantaged Students: A Research Evaluation” About Camea Davis Dr. Camea L. Davis (she/her) serves as the Director of Knowledge with a focus on impact evaluation. In this role, she guides the collective work of producing new and honoring existing forms of knowledge and ways of knowing, while dismantling systemic barriers to sharing and learning. Davis is a poet, educator, and educational researcher with a heart for urban youth and communities. Her research focuses on youth activism, racial justice in teacher education, critical collaborative ethnography, and critical poetic inquiry. Davis has published in Qualitative Inquiry; Equity & Excellence in Education; The Journal of Middle School Education; Art/Research International: A Transdisciplinary Journal; Ubiquity: The Journal of Literature, Literacy, and the Arts; The Journal of Hip Hop Studies; and The Journal of School and Society. Davis has authored conference papers for the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, The National Council on Teachers of English, The National Association of Multicultural Educators, The National Performance Network, The Kennedy Center, The International Symposium on Poetic Inquiry, and presented a Tedx Talk through performance poetry on the topic of language diversity in schools. Davis earned her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, Multicultural Education, and Educational Technology from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, a Masters in Arts of Teaching from Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She currently works from Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys reading for leisure, writing poetry, and watching stand up comedy. This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff discuss Karla’s conversation with Jasmin Cardenas, theatre director and activist from Workers Teatro. The dialogues focus on the reciprocal and multiple intersections of the arts and labor issues: how can labor improve in the arts and how can the arts contribute to systemic changes in labor? In this episode you’ll learn: How theatre techniques, like Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, can contribute to dialogues about labor in Chicago; What the arts may learn from labor movements in other sectors; and The ways teaching artists can act as facilitators for important dialogues about worker’s experiences. Some things from the episode: Workers TEATRO Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Community Writing Project and Workers Teatro collaboration with University of Illinois Chicago Jasmine’s solo commissioned work with 1st Stage About Jasmine Cardenas Over the past 15 years Jasmin has taught, directed and devised with community members, adults and youth throughout the city for WorkersTEATRO (Co-Founder), Workers Resistance Theater (Co-Founder), Lookingglass Theater, Silk Road Theater Project, Adventure Stage Chicago, Lifeline Theater, Chase Elementary and at Carpenter Fine Arts, to name a few. In 2019 she facilitated creative youth leaders from across Chicago's city and neighborhoods and organizations to create the 2019 Youth Speak: RIGHTS OF CHICAGO'S CREATIVE LEADERS. This was in partnership with Chicago Park District's Arts & Culture Culture Unit, led be Meida McNeil, and youth leaders from Albany Park Theater Project, Free Street Theater, Kumba Lynx, Move Me Soul, YOUMedia, Columbus Park Inferno Youth Media Team, Free Spirit Media & the adults who support their learning, growing and thriving. Our gatherings were held at Chicago Parks across the city. Using Theater of the Oppressed she uses the tool of theater for social justice work. With Pastor Phil Jackson she Co-Founded Ambassadors for a United Lawndale; working towards racial reconciliation between African American and Latino Youth on the SW side of the city. Supported by The MacArthur Foundation she traveled with 20 students to Mexico to learn about the African presence in Mexico. She served on the Board of The Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed (PTO) and was the Lead Organizer of the 2011 International PTO Conference held in Chicago. Along with her students, recipient of the 2010 Public Square (Illinois Humanities Council) Award Art Urges, Art Voyages – Looking for Democracy Film Contest. Using her specialization in Creative Drama Jasmin has been teaching children, parents and educators (across the ages 0-100) of the many literacy benefits that can be experienced in bringing stories to life. This episode was produced by Karla Estela Rivera. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support

During this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss Ashraf’s conversation with Sana Jafri, from the Chicago Learning Exchange. They discuss unconventional pathways to systems change work, radical imagination, and the goal of social capital. Ashraf and Jeff debrief by thinking about the “upward spiral." In this episode you’ll learn: How immersive learning opportunities can infuse new knowledge in professionals; The power of radical imagination in systems change; and How to lead to an upward spiral. Some things from the episode: Chicago Learning Exchange Critical Network Literacy by Kira Baker-Doyle Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone The Clinton Foundation Fellowship Teen Arts Pass in Chicago Skillman Foundation About Sana Jafri is the Executive Director of the Chicago Learning Exchange (CLX), a nonprofit network of 200+ youth-serving organizations in Chicago's out-of-school time learning ecosystem. Sana has been with CLX for over 8 years and during this time, her accomplishments include creating the City of Chicago's first festival for experiential learning entitled Chicago Learning Days as well creating the Brother Mike Award – a $5,000 no-strings attached award for out-of-school time mentors in Chicago. This episode was produced by Ashraf Hasham. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whychange/support