Resources

Here are some resources for artists who want to increase their effectiveness in making social change and defending our democracy.

• The Center for Artistic Activism helps people use creativity and culture to affect power. It provides trainings, conducts research, and offers creative strategy advising.

• Fall of Freedom is an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation. It invites artists and arts organizations to participate in nationwide acts of creative resistance.

• For Freedoms deepens civic engagement through the arts. It provides artists, institutions, and communities a decentralized space for connection and tools to support their creative capacity and resilience as cultural producers.

• Minnesota hip hop artist, poet, and educator Kyle “Guante” Tran Myre offers free writing prompts, trainings, and other resources for artists who want to show up and engage.

• We Create was founded by artist and illustrator Tracie Ching to empower the creative community through meaningful connection and mentorship. It supports the success of creative professionals, with a special emphasis on emerging talent.

Here are resources for advocates seeking free, easy-to-download artwork with social movement messages to use in their campaigns.

Amplifier is a nonprofit media lab building campaigns to amplify the most important movements of our times – by any medium necessary. Amplifier makes its artworks available for free download as long as it’s for non-commercial use.

Justseeds Artists Cooperative is a decentralized network of artists committed to social, environmental, and political engagement. The artists offer a selection of free, high-resolution downloadable graphics for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license.

Art of Saving Democracy Event Hosting Kit: A key activist principle: If you want people to show up, throw a fun party! Civic activism doesn’t need to be dull or feel like a chore. Use the materials included in The Art of Saving Democracy and the event kit to create a fun, engaging, and change-making event for your community.

Defending democracy isn’t only the work of elected officials or organizations. Every one of us can take meaningful steps—large and small—to participate in civic life and defend our democracy. These accessible resources can help you turn concern into action.

• VOTE: Voting is one of the most powerful ways to shape our collective future. Visit Vote.org to check your voter registration, find your polling place, request an absentee ballot, and access other key election resources.

• CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES: Elected officials pay attention when constituents speak up. Use Congress.gov to identify your members of Congress, or try the 5 Calls app, which makes it easy to contact your elected officials with issue summaries and suggested scripts.

• LEARN MORE ABOUT DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM: Understanding how authoritarian movements gain power can help citizens respond more effectively. Based on a framework developed by Princeton professor Kim Scheppele, Stacey Abrams has launched the 10 Steps Campaign to offer guidance and educational resources on protecting democratic institutions.

  For further reading, pick up On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder and How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt.

• SHOP YOUR VALUES: Our purchasing choices can reflect our civic values. The Center for Responsive Politics and Goods Unite Us allow you to research political donations made by corporations and their executives, helping you make informed decisions about where you spend your money.

• SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Your voice and lived experience matter. The OpEd Project helps people develop and place opinion pieces in media outlets, offering workshops, coaching, and media lists to amplify diverse voices in public conversations.

• SUPPORT DEMOCRACY ORGANIZATIONS: Many nonprofit organizations work year-round to protect voting rights, strengthen civic participation, and defend democratic institutions. Consider supporting local organizations in your state that advance these goals. National organizations such as People For the American Way also offer resources, policy insights, and opportunities for civic-minded individuals to take meaningful action together.

• GIVE THE GIFT OF INSPIRATION: Conversations with friends, family, and colleagues are often where civic engagement begins. If you find the art and ideas in The Art of Saving Democracy appealing, consider sharing the action kit—or gifting a copy—to others who may be looking for creative ways to participate in strengthening our democracy.

Black History Month Coloring Book: Across the country, Black history is being removed from museums, classrooms, and public spaces. This free coloring book honors Black American leaders and keeps their legacy alive. Print and share this essential part of the American story widely. Download here↓

“Remember to Dream” Digital Wallpaper by Carrie Mae Weems: Make space for hope—and for dreaming of a more just future where every voice matters. This inspiring design is available as digital wallpaper in a range of sizes for a variety of devices. Download the wallpaper to keep the dream in view.