In addition to spreading new ideas through our work, we believe that artists can and should take leadership in helping others cultivate new skills. Today’s culture is all about repurposing and remixing, and that’s why CultureStrike is committed to sharing as many tools as possible.
Below are some resources we’ve developed through our own work, as well as ones by partners that we couldn’t help but share!
5 Easy Art Projects for Your Pro-Migrant Events
Our Executive Director Favianna Rodriguez and Events & Artist Projects Manager Julio Salgado put together this great video and how-to guide for the National Day of Dignity and Respect in 2013, but the tips they offer are great for any action at any time of year! Watch the video and download our PDF guide.
Make Your Wings
Planning to join public events, marches and rallies for immigration reform? Bring your wings! This template provides instructions to make your own pair of butterfly wings out of recycled cardboard. Basic art supplies required, including tempera or acrylic paints, a cutting blade, 6 feet of scrap fabric, and access to a printer that can print tabloid size (11 x 17 inches). Best done with friends—throw a wing-making party! Download the PDF guide. (Note: This file is 25 MB so it may take a few minutes to load.)
Making Waves: A Guide to Cultural Strategy
This guide from our friends at The Culture Group explains the concept of cultural strategy, and includes historical examples and practical steps to bring the theories and concepts to life. We use Making Waves in our Knowledge Lab workshops and highly recommend it! Download it from The Culture Group.
Learning Library
Popular education is an excellent way for cultural workers to exercise our minds as well as our talents, and can help us advance our own art practices and the movements we’re a part of. Below are some articles and reports that have helped CultureStrike develop our vision, and we hope will inspire you as well. Check back as we’re sure to add more!
“Culture Before Politics,” Jeff Chang and Brian Komar, The American Prospect, December 6, 2010
“Change the Culture, Change the World,” Favianna Rodriguez, CultureTime Reports, April 1, 2013
“Jeff Chang on Hope, Change and How Culture Can Shape Politics,” interview with Jarmilah King, Colorlines, October 17, 2012
Culture Matters: Understanding Cultural Strategy and Measuring Cultural Impact, a report by The Culture Group, August 2013
“CultureStrike: In the Heart of Arizona,” Elizabeth Mendez Berry, TCG, August 22, 2013
“Spoiler Alert: How Progressives Will Breakthrough with Pop Culture,” Tracy Van Slyke
“Printmaking with Favianna Rodriguez” (video), KQED Arts, August 29, 2014
“’Migration Is Beautiful’ Documentary Upends Negative Views About Immigrants And Illegal Immigration,” The Huffington Post, January 15, 2013
“Artist Statement,” Favianna Rodriguez and Tina Vasquez, Bitch Magazine, 2013
Contribute!
Have a resource you’d like to see shared? Send it to info@culturestrike.org, and if it’s a good fit, we’ll post it here!