Part 1 - Activism in community. List the 3 examples of activism in your community we discussed in class. You can choose what you define as your community. (your university, your neighborhood, town, state.)
All examples stated below are from my town Carteret, NJ.
1.Fashion tells a story - “Fashion Tells a Story” is an event where people create outfits or art using unusual or recycled materials instead of regular fabric. The goal isn’t just to make something that looks cool it’s to send a message or tell a story. These stories can be about the environment, culture, social issues, or personal experiences. The event combines creativity and activism. It shows how something people might consider “trash” can be turned into art that makes people think or feel differently. It also encourages the community to get involved and reflect on bigger problems, like waste, sustainability, or cultural identity. In short, it’s a way to use fashion to communicate ideas and inspire changes. This event is usually held around earth day and anyone can participate as long as you meet the requirements. Carteret has only been hosting it for three years now.
2.Activist speakers at the CPAC- Carteret Performing Events and Arts center is known for bringing in different artists or different sorts of entertainment groups every week one of them is Annie Lennox (performing on October 11, 2025.) Annie Lennox, the famous singer and activist, came to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center to speak about her life, career, and the causes she cares about. She talked about her work supporting women’s rights, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, and helping communities in need around the world. Her talk showed how activism can take many forms and not just protests, but also using your voice, platform, and creativity to make a difference. She encouraged people to think about issues in their own communities and consider how they could take action to help or raise awareness.
3. Adopt a Child organization- The Guru Nanak Peace Foundation’s “Adopt a Child” program helps kids who are going through tough times, like losing parents or living in poverty. It’s not about legally adopting a child, but about giving support through monthly/annual donations. This money goes toward things like school, food, healthcare, and basic needs. Sponsors also get updates on the child so they can see how their help is making a difference. The program is all about caring, kindness, and giving these children a better chance at a brighter future. This organization only comes ones a year in our church and is originally based in Alberta, Canada.
Part 2 - defining art activism. What is Art Activism? Using the Chapter 1 reading from The Art of Activism textbook and the readings below, answer this question with a brief response. You can use quotes from the chapter and from the readings below to help answer the question.
Art activism is when creativity is used as a strategy to create real change. In The Art of Activism, Duncombe and Lambert explain that “Art allows us to say things that can’t be said, to give form to abstract feelings and ideas and present them in such ways that they can be communicated with others,” showing how art can express ideas and emotions that words alone can’t. They also say that “artistic activism isn’t meant to be just a set of ideas; it’s meant to be a practice,” which means it’s not just about thinking it’s about doing, using creativity to make a difference.The New York Times examples of protest art prove this, because the images and performances they highlight weren’t just decoration they challenged people to think differently and take action. Art activism is really about using imagination and creativity in ways that push society forward.
Nicky Nodjoumi is an Iranian-American artist known for creating works that challenge political power and social injustice. His 1978 painting Long Live Freedom is a striking example of art activism. The artwork shows a prison cell pierced by a jagged bayonet, symbolizing the violent oppression of dissidents during the Iranian Revolution. The bold colors and dramatic imagery make the message clear and urgent, while the title itself is a direct call for liberty. This piece is art activism because it uses visual creativity to confront injustice, raise awareness about political oppression, and inspire viewers to think critically about freedom and human rights. Personally, I think this painting is really powerful because it makes you stop and feel what people went through, and it reminds us how important it is to stand up for freedom.
Readings and Quotes:
1. WHY ARTISTIC ACTIVISM? | Center for Artistic Activism
"Activism moves the material world, while Art moves the heart, body and soul."
"Artistic activism creates an opportunity to bypass seemingly fixed political ideas and moral ideals and remap cognitive patterns. Surprise is a moment when hearts can be touched and minds reached, and both changed."short response: I think art activism is powerful because it doesn’t just fight for change, it makes people actually feel it. Activism alone can push action, but when art is added, it reaches people in ways facts or speeches can’t. It surprises us, challenges how we see the world, and that’s what really makes people stop, think, and want to act.
2. An Introduction to Activist Art | The Collector | by Stefanie Graf
"Activist art is a powerful tool with a long and varied history, that can call attention to the most pressing political and social issues."
"The goals of activist artworks can also vary widely. Works can challenge racism, sexism, authoritarian regimes, or war. They usually have a common dominator, which is a focus on political and social issues with the intent to change or influence public opinion by confronting people with an unjust or problematic status quo."
short response: I think activist art is really powerful because it can make people notice important social and political issues. It can challenge things like racism, sexism, war, or unfair governments, and its main goal is to change how people think or act. What makes it so meaningful is that it doesn’t just look interesting — it inspires people to see problems differently and take action.
3. The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II | The New York Times Style Magazine
“History doesn’t have an expiration date. Art, in my mind, has always been about continuing a dialogue, that continues to inspire as it educates.”
“We can approach our lives as artists, each and every one of us. If you choose to, you can make every action a creative act.”
short response:Art has a unique way of keeping history alive while inspiring change. It doesn’t expire its messages can continue to educate and provoke thought long after they are created. I think this is what makes activist art so powerful: it turns everyday actions and perspectives into creative expressions that can challenge injustices and open conversations. We don’t have to be professional artists to make a difference; every choice we make can be a way to creatively engage with the world and push for change.
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