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.
Read moreS3 Ep16: Curiosity to Drive Equitable Funding with Porché Hardy
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.
Read moreS3 Ep12: Field Building with Käthe Swaback and Matt D'Arrigo
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!
Read moreS3 Ep10: Reframing Philanthropy with Nikki Kirk
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.
Read moreS3 Ep5: Leading to an Upward Spiral with Sana Jafri
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.”
Read moreS3 Ep1: It’s Not About You, It’s About Us with Astrid Jorgensen
During this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Rachael Jacobs and Ashraf Hasham check in on their outlooks for 2023. Rachael interviews Astrid Jorgenson, the founder of Pub Choir, who focuses on community-based, collective music making. The discussions explore collaboration, inclusivity, new approaches to music-making.
Read moreS3 Ep0: Season 3 Teaser
During this episode of Why Change? the co-hosts of the podcast - Ashraf Hasham, Rachael Jacobs, Madeleine McGirk, Jeff M. Poulin, and Karla Estela Rivera - re-introduce themselves and share their hopes and plans for Season 3. The co-hosts discuss their multi-hyphenated personal and professional identities, how they plan to use those in the coming season, and the ways we can bring more joy into our work.
Read moreS2 Ep26: Season 2 Finale
During this episode of Why Change? the co-hosts of the podcast - Ashraf Hasham, Rachael Jacobs, Madeleine McGirk, Jeff M. Poulin, and Karla Estela Rivera - reflect on their conversations throughout Season 2 and the myriad guests who made this season so rich and inspiring. The co-hosts revisit some of their favorite conversations, the questions that grew out of those discussions, and what they hope to bring into Season 3.
Read moreS2 Ep 25: Youth Power with Angelique Power
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss Ashraf’s journey learning from funders of color. Ashraf shares his most recent conversation with Angelique Power from the Skillman Foundation in Detroit and their discussion about shepherding youth power, the COVID-19 pandemic, and necessary changes in philanthropy. Jeff and Ashraf debrief and draw connections among many disruptive and powerful ideas.
Read moreS2 Ep23: Live from the 2022 Arts Schools Network Conference
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff are just back from the 2022 Arts Schools Network Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode, you’ll hear from a variety of arts education leaders and the impact their organizations and schools have on young people. Ashraf and Jeff discuss these ideas and other trends from the conference looking towards the future of arts learning.
Read moreS2 Ep 17: Moving to Abundance with Darren Isom
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff catch up among seasons of change. Ashraf shares his interview with Darren Isom who is a partner at the Bridgespan Group and host of the Dreaming in Color podcast. The discussion covers topics of leadership, knowledge, and finding from leaders of color.
Read moreS2 E10: Disrupting the Traditional Notions of Museums with Nick Duarte
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the role of museums as institutions for community belonging. Ashraf interviews Nick Duarte, a musician and senior manager of community engagement at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, who manages their youth and music programs. They discuss the unique positionality of museums in their communities and this museum's intentional shift towards service.
Read moreS2 E9: Politics of Care with Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Ashraf discuss municipal leadership through and for the arts. Karla interviews Rossana Rodrguez-Sanchez, an educator, artist, activist, and alderwoman of Chicago's 33rd ward. They discuss the role of artists at the decision-making table and the importance of the politics of care. Karla and Ashraf debrief by thinking big about municipal and local leadership by creatives.
Read moreS2 E3: Live from the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference: The Futures of Music Education with André Solomon
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff join you live from the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference. They discuss the emerging themes from music educators across the state of Colorado, interview André Solomon about the futures of music education, and conclude with some bold calls to action about creating a more inclusive, welcoming, and progressive music education experience for students.
S2 E2: Shining a Light on the Nexus of Youth-Led Change and the Creative Economy with Terry Morgan
In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff connect to discuss Ashraf’s conversation with legendary musician and artist, Terry Morgan. Terry’s incredible past as a musician created a unique chemistry of opportunity as one experience opened him to another, finally leading him to create Borealis, Festival of Lights, an innovative visual and digital art festival based in Seattle, Washington. Ashraf and Jeff discuss how Terry’s personal narrative highlights opportunities for young people to be not only exposed to the arts as an outlet for their creativity, but also a real way they can begin accomplishing change they want to make in their communities.
Read moreS2 E0: Why Change? Season 2: A New Focus
In this preview of Season 2, the Why Change? Co-hosts - Karla, Ashraf, Rachael, Madeleine, and Jeff connect to discuss their plans for the coming season. Jeff shares a bit about the shift in focus of Why Change?’s second season to focus on the adult change-makers supporting the creative development of young people and how this fits into the suite of podcasts produced by Creative Generation.
S1 E39: Season 1 Wrap Up: Reflections, Responses, and Reimagination
Join us for the final episode of Why Change? ‘s first season as co-hosts Karla, Madeleine, Rachael, Ashraf, and Jeff reflect on the powerful conversations they’ve had with artists, educators, and activists over the season. The five co-hosts lift up important reminders their guests contributed during conversations and begin reimagining a future influenced by the personal narratives and the stories of critical responses to community needs shared during the podcast.
Read moreS1 E36: Acknowledgement, Decolonization and Youth-Led Change with Alethea Beetson
In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael Jacobs and Ashraf Hasham connect to discuss Rachael’s conversation with Alethea Beetson about the role and responsibility of artists and arts supporters in honoring and acknowledging indigenous people and their art. Rachael and Alethea examine the roles of creatives confronting and understanding existing structures of colonisation in the world of arts. Rachael and Ashraf debrief the dialogue discussing the importance of transitioning power and leadership to youth as part of your organization’s infrastructure.
Read moreS1 E32: Exploring Creative Vitality with David Holland and Randy Engstrom
During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff share their most recent adventures. Ashraf interviews David Holland and Randy Engstrom about a recent “Creative Vitality Summit” and interrogates the role of young creatives in the future of the creative economy. Jeff and Ashraf discuss the implications of this work, reclaiming the terminology, and the power in ceding power.
Read moreS1 E28: Disrupting Systems (or F’ing Sh*t Up) with Quanice Floyd
During this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the rollercoaster of return to school and introduce Ashraf’s interview with Quanice Floyd. Quanice is a former music teacher, arts manager, arts education advocate, and organizational leader who focuses her energy on achieving accountability, equity, and racial justice in the American cultural ecosystem. Ashraf and Jeff debrief the conversation thinking deeply about movement building and centering arts educators, cultural practitioners, and youth.
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