Change the Story / Change the World

• The CETA Arts Revolution Part 2: What Can Today's Activist Artists Learn From It?

  What if the secret to revitalizing today’s creative workforce lies in a forgotten 1970s government program?In a time when society urgently seeks sustainable ways to support artists and strengthen communities, in this episode, the second of two, we revisit the CETA Arts Program—a bold experiment that transformed artists into public servants. You’ll hear how this unexpected initiative is influencing today’s creative policy landscape and how its legacy is being reimagined in pandemic-era artist relief efforts.Learn how CETA’s community-centered structure inspired programs like Creatives Rebuild New York, blending public service with creative employment.Discover the crucial real-world skills—like negotiation, humility, and adaptability—that artists must master but never learn in art school.Hear compelling personal stories of missteps, breakthroughs, and the often invisible work of artists who repair, reimagine, and rebuild community infrastructure.Tune in to uncover timeless lessons and practical tools from an unsung chapter in U.S. history that’s helping shape the future of art and civic engagement today.Notable Mentions:Here’s alist of People, Events, Organizations, and Publications mentioned in the episode, each with a brief description and clickable links to learn more. P1. PeopleVirginia Maksymowicz – Sculptor, longtime CETA artist (1978–1979), and co-director of the CETA Arts Legacy Project based in Philadelphia Blaise Tobia – Photographer, CETA participant documenting the NYC project, professor at Drexel, and co-director of the CETA Arts Legacy Project Ted Berger – Arts advocate, former Executive Director of NYFA, and early leader in NYC’s CETA program John Kreidler – Architect of San Francisco’s first CETA Artists program in 1974, helped shape putting federal funds into art Ruth Asawa – Renowned sculptor and educator who helped launch the first CETA Arts experiment in San Francisco Sarah Calderón – Director of Creatives Rebuild New York who consulted with Virginia and Blaise on CETA models Molly Garfinkel – City Lore archivist who has supported the CETA Arts Legacy Project since 2017 2. Events / ProgramsCETA Artists Project (1978–1979) – Part of the federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, this was the largest artist employment initiative since the WPA. Artists served in community centers, schools, prisons—and shaped public life through art CETA Arts Legacy Project – An initiative by former CETA artists (Virginia, Blaise, and others) to document and preserve the

  --------  

  33:30
• THE CETA ARTS REVOLUTION: What Can Today's Activist Artists & Organizers Learn from It?

  Did you know the U.S. once launched a massive jobs program that empowered over 11,000 artists—and then let it vanish from collective memory?For artists, educators, and community leaders seeking sustainable support for creative work, the forgotten story of the CETA Arts Program offers a powerful historical lesson. In a time of economic uncertainty, this 1970s initiative not only employed artists—it embedded them into the heart of local communities to spark cultural and social change.Discover how two artists-turned-historians uncovered the lost legacy of a program that transformed the lives of thousands of creativesLearn how government-backed art initiatives planted the seeds for enduring institutions like Brooklyn’s BACA Downtown and Philadelphia’s Painted Bride.Hear powerful stories of artists bridging divides, inspiring youth, and reshaping neighborhoods—lessons that resonate powerfully today.Tune in to uncover the hidden history of America’s largest investment in artists and why it still matters for the future of creative community work.Notable MentionsThis is a list of the key figures, events, organizations, and publications discussed in the podcast episode, offering pathways for further exploration into the legacy of the CETA Arts Program.PeopleVirginia Maksymowicz: An American sculptor known for installations that explore social issues, often incorporating the female form. She was a participant in the NYC CETA Artists Project and co-leads the CETA Arts Legacy Project.Blaise Tobia: A contemporary photographer and professor emeritus at Drexel University. Tobia documented the NYC CETA Artists Project and collaborates with Maksymowicz on the CETA Arts Legacy Project.Bill Cleveland: Host of the podcast “Change the Story / Change the World” and director of the Center for the Study of Art & Community.Richard Nixon: The 37th President of the United States, who signed the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) into law in 1973.Abe Beame: Mayor of New York City from 1974 to 1977, during the implementation of the CETA program.Ernie Green: Assistant Secretary of Labor who announced CETA funding allocations to New York City.Alan Lomax: Renowned folklorist and ethnomusicologist, referenced in the podcast for his approach to cultural documentation.Jane Goldberg: A tap dancer and historian who collaborated with fellow CETA artist Charles “Cookie” Cook.Charles “Cookie” Cook: A legendary tap dancer who partnered with Jane Goldberg during the CETA program.Ellsworth Ausby: An artist known for integrating sculpture with performance, who initiated collaborative projects during the CETA...

  --------  

  38:28
• New Rules: 11 Unlikely Lessons for Activist Artists Navigating MAGA.

  What can we learn from artists who survived the chaos of 1980s prisons—and how can their lessons help us resist authoritarianism today?From the Center for the Study of Art & Community, this is Change the Story / Change the World: A chronicle of art and social change, where artivists share and learn the skills and strategies they need to thrive as creative community leaders. My name is Bill Cleveland. As censorship and threats escalate for activist artists and community leaders, navigating today’s polarized world demands more than passion. This episode draws powerful insights from prison arts programs to help creatives and organizers thrive amid rising societal conflict and control.Discover 11 practical rules for building credibility, resilience, and respect in high-stakes, divided environments.Learn why sustained relationships and long-term commitment are the foundation for real, transformative change.Gain essential strategies for navigating us-versus-them traps, telling bold yet responsible stories, and protecting mental health in toxic climates.Listen now to unlock time-tested survival strategies that can empower your activism, deepen your community work, and sustain your creative mission.Notable Mentions1. PeopleBill Cleveland: Host of Change the Story, Change the World. Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, he draws on decades of experience working with artists in prisons and conflict zones.Jim Reeves: Author featured in previous episodes, discussed teaching and writing inside prisons.Noel Raymond: Theater director and cultural leader, spoke about operating arts organizations under political duress.Vern McKee: Incarcerated artist, president of Vacaville Prison’s Art and Musicians Guilds, who developed the core “Verne’s Rules” that guide arts engagement in high-stakes environments .2. EventsCalifornia’s Arts-in-Corrections Program (1980-90's): A transformative initiative bringing arts education into state prisons during the 1980s, led by Bill Cleveland. A current program under the same name is being operated by the California Arts Council and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is carrying on the program The Troubles (Northern Ireland): A period of political and sectarian conflict (late 1960s–1998) cited for comparison with the U.S. authoritarian climate.Khmer Rouge Regime (Cambodia): Post-genocide rebuilding efforts included cultural recovery, referenced here as a parallel to U.S. challenges.Serbia under Slobodan Milošević: Cited as a reference...

  --------  

  22:51
• How are Artists and Organizers Creating a Better World Together? Reprise

  Can the right song, painting, or museum exhibit spark real political change? What if culture is the missing strategy in today’s social movements?From the Center for the Study of Art & Community, this is Change the Story / Change the World: A chronicle of art and social change, where activist artists and cultural organizers share and learn what they need to thrive as creative change agents. My name is Bill Cleveland.If you’ve ever felt like your efforts for justice aren’t hitting deep enough, it might be because the culture hasn’t caught up with your message. In this episode, labor organizer and social change strategist Ken Grossinger shares how his journey from labor organizing to cultural advocacy revealed a truth many overlook: policy changes fade, but stories—and the art that tells them—have staying power. In this episode:Discover how blending power analysis with artistic expression can amplify grassroots campaigns and drive long-term social change.Hear powerful case studies—from a revolutionary museum exhibit in Louisville to a musical uprising in Alaska—that reveal how art can expose injustice and build movements.Learn from real-world collaborations between artists and organizers that shift narratives, challenge power, and activate communities in ways no policy paper ever could.Tune in now to hear how Ken Grossinger’s book ART WORKS and his work in communities across the U.S. show us why art isn’t just a reflection of justice—it’s how we get there.BIOKen Grossinger, has been a leading strategist in movements for social and economic justice for thirty-five years, in unions, philanthropic and community organizations.For two decades, Ken was one of the labor movement's leading strategists. He represented workers in the Service Employees International Union and then directed legislative field operations for the AFL-CIO, running large-scale issue campaigns including against the privatization of Social Security and for health care reform, economic and civil rights. Grossinger is widely regarded as an expert in pioneering national field strategies for labor and community organizations and is well known for building long-enduring alliances between the two.Formerly a community organizer, Grossinger co-launched the Human SERVE Fund, a national advocate organization that initiated and led the successful decade-long fight for passage of the National Voter Registration Act, commonly known as Motor Voter.Grossinger is active on several boards including the University of the District of Columbia (Trustee), Hirshhorn Museum (Trustee), People’s Action Institute (Director), Skylight Pictures (Director), and the CrossCurrents Foundation, (Chair).Among other cultural projects, he co-executive produced the award-winning Netflix documentaries Social Dilemma and Bleeding Edge and served as Executive Producer of Boycott and the forthcoming film Borderland.Ken is the author of ART WORKS: How Organizers and Artists are Creating a Better World Together, published by the New Press in July 2023. He lives part-time in Washington, DC., and Telluride, Colorado.Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and

  --------  

  1:00:10
• Change the Story Weather Report: A Neighborhood Cultural Center Navigates the MAGA Storm

  The MAGA storm system continues to exert a profound influence on community members, activist artists and cultural organizers living and working in Minneapolis' Powderhorn Central Community. Bill Cleveland's dialogue with Noel Raymond reveals the complexities of navigating activism amidst the destabilizing forces fast moving Trumpian juggernaut. Raymond describes the fraught material emotional landscape faced by artists and cultural organizers, characterized by feelings of fear, rage, and disorientation. Takeaways:Understand why the disorientation that we're all experiencing is used as a tactic to prevent resistance, and that recognizing this helps us stay grounded.Find out how an organization like Pillsbury House, uses the practice of sanctuary is a means of both safety and. And strategy.Learn how creating spaces of safety and joy and cultural expression can be a powerful form of defiance and that the communities stories, whether they're in small circles or on stage, are a lifeline.Other Key Points:And when people tell their truths without mediation, they build solidarity and power and the possibility of change.The discussion emphasizes the critical need for community support and the importance of creating safe spaces for artistic expression. Through the lens of Pillsbury House's mission, the conversation underscores the power of storytelling as a tool for resistance and empowerment. Raymond's insights into the organization's efforts to center marginalized voices, particularly during moments of heightened tension, illuminate the intersection of art and activism. As the episode unfolds, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their roles within their communities and the ways in which they can contribute to building solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity. Ultimately, this episode serves as both a poignant commentary on the challenges of the present and an inspiring call to action for those seeking to effect meaningful change.Change the Story GoFundMe CampaignNotable MentionsIn this episode, host Bill Cleveland sits down with Noel Raymond of Pillsbury House + Theatre to explore how artists and cultural organizers are navigating political backlash, erasure, and community survival in the heart of Minneapolis. Below is a curated list of the people, organizations, events, and references that came up during their powerful conversation. People Bill Cleveland: Host of Change the Story / Change the World and Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community.Noel Raymond: Senior Director of Narrative Arts and Culture at Pillsbury House + Theatre, leading narrative strategy and performance-based organizing.Mike Hoyt: Artist and cultural organizer at Pillsbury House + Theatre, noted for his community work and collaboration with Noel.Judy Munsen: Composer of the podcast’s original theme and soundscape.Events & Social MovementsTrans Day of Visibility: Annual event on March 31 to honor and raise awareness for the transgender community.

  --------  

  24:31

More Arts podcasts

Trending Arts podcasts

About Change the Story / Change the World