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.
Read moreS3 Ep23: Intergenerational Revolutionary Practice with Peter O’Connor
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 Ep22: In, Through, and With the Arts with Lisa Donovan
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.
Read moreS3 Ep21: None of Us is as Smart as All of Us with Argy Nestor
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.
Read moreS3 Ep20: Scale and Bravery with Jean Hendrickson
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.
Read moreS3 Ep19: Too Much is Never Enough with Kady Robinson
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.
Read moreS3 Ep18: Scaffolding Access, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion towards Creative Justice with Antonio Cuyler
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.
Read moreS3 Ep17: Civic Imagination with Michael Rohd
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.
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 Ep15: Relational Empathy with Gowri Savoor
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!
Read moreS3 Ep14: Grasping the Aerosol of Creativity with Michael Anderson
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!
Read moreS3 Ep13: Facilitating Exchanges with Khairina Khalid
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.
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 Ep11: Granting Yourself Permissions with Jorge Lucero
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.
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 Ep9: Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in Shaping a Better World with Eric Booth
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.
Read moreS3 Ep8: Imagining Futures with Arts and Technology with Pawel Pokutycki
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.
Read moreS3 Ep7: Exploring Poetic Inquiry with Camea Davis
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.
Read moreS3 Ep6: It's About the People with Jasmin Cardenas
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?
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.”
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