Latest posts by Terri Lyon
(see all)Last Updated on August 29, 2025
Change the World with Artistic Activism
Using art as activism sounds strange. However, I found many examples of artists using their skills for social justice. The stereotype of an activist as an angry protestor has changed because of artists making a difference with their talents.
Do your strengths lie in the arts? To this end, use your art as activism to change the world.
[Are you an artist interested in making a difference doing something you love? Use The Happy Activist to guide you.]
To help you, this hub page provides tools, information, and inspiration for artistic activism.
Use the menu below to skip directly to a topic.
Drawing and Illustration
At a protest, my husband entered the law enforcement screening area, and someone handed him this beautiful protest sign. Specifically, it is an homage to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Americans Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos saluted human rights with a raised fist. Years later, a local artist used their art as activism in a concrete way.
Using art as activism isn’t new. One example is the drawing of a slave ship, Stowage of the British Slave Ship Under the Regulated Slave Trade Act of 1788. Because of its terrible depiction of slaves lined up like sardines in a can, it was instrumental in abolishing slavery.
Today’s artistic activism is sometimes cheeky, with memes used to raise awareness. For example, to demonstrate against Chinese government censorship of the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protest, resisters changed the famous picture of the lone student facing down a column of tanks. Instead of tanks, they inserted big yellow rubber duckies. After the meme went viral, the Chinese government banned the search term “big yellow duck.” Similarly, this led to other creative alternatives, such as the Tiananmen Square Lego reenactment. These activists used their art to keep the cause alive in Chinese history.
Explore Drawing and Illustration Posts
How an Artist Teaches a Powerful Message about Racism
Carl Gombert uses art to highlight how we use visual clues to make judgments about people and helps us understand racism.
At the Intersection of Domestic Violence Activism and Art
Artist Mark Hall was inspired to create his print series when two different students asked for help to deal with an abusive partner.
At the Intersection of Tea Towels and Activism
The company Radical Tea Towel uses art to create dishcloths with radical messages.
Who Are the Millions Missing?
The #BedFest campaign is beautiful and sad. Bedridden Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients display their art.
Sculpture
Sculpture takes artistic activism into three dimensions. Artists vary in their choice of material – from classic Michaelangelo marble to Chihuly glass.
A famous example of artistic activism is the sculpture Fearless Girl by Kristen Visbal. In honor of International Women’s Day, Fearless Girl was placed in front of the New York Stock Exchange. She faced down the Wall Street bull.
Explore Sculpture Posts
At the Intersection of Art and Remembrance: The Tower of London Poppies
Poppies are a flower of remembrance. In 2014, patrons installed an art sculpture at The Tower of London called Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.
At the Intersection of Free Speech and Art: The Talking Statues of Rome
What do free speech and talking statues have in common? When free speech was outlawed, Romans used statues to speak out.
Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining is a Colossal Injustice
In honor of the environment, artist Jenny Kindler created a beautiful and eerie outdoor installation of bird eyes. Each bird represented is in danger of extinction because of climate change.
It Is Time to Talk About It
The Montgomery, Alabama memorial displays the names of victims of white supremacy on steel slabs. To illustrate the horror, each slab represents a county. As a result, you cannot help but search for your county and view the victim's names.
How to Understand Racial Injustice in a Deeper Way
Maya Lin created the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama. The flat marble crucible with water flowing over it lists murdered civil rights activists.
How an Innovative Artist Blocked a Pipeline Challenge with Copyright Law
In Canada, Peter Von Tiesenhausen prevented a natural gas pipeline from being laid through his property, using legal intervention. But not the kind you imagine; he used a copyright to protect his land.
Crafting
In 2016, the crafting community came out strong. For example, pussy hats turned aerial views of protests into a sea of pink.
Even the online knitting and crocheting community Ravelry has jumped into the fray, with a strongly worded policy.
“We cannot provide a space that is inclusive of all and also allow support for open white supremacy. Support of the Trump administration is undeniably support for white supremacy.”
But ‘craftivism,’ the intersection of crafting and activism, has been around for a while. For example, in 1987 the Aids Memorial Quilt was placed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Using artistic activism, the massive quilt honors victims of AIDS.
And I’m thankful for Betsy Greer’s books Craftivism and Knitting for Good. Inside I found many examples of crafters who used their gifts for their cause.
Explore Crafting Posts
Are You Excellent at Your Craft? Apply Your Obsession to Activism
Using our strengths and passions for our cause means we are automatically motivated and more likely to stay in activism over the long haul. Crafters use creative activism.
At the Intersection of Crafting and Activism
Activist Sarah Corbett uses her crafting skills to send messages about worker exploitation. In addition, she embroidered handmade handkerchiefs for board members of a company that wasn't paying a living wage. To get her message across, each handkerchief had the words “Don’t blow it.” Her effort paid off in a living wage.
Stigma: A Thorn in the Side of Mental Health Care
Reduce the stigma of mental illness. Wear your meds are buttons, each showing an image of a commonly prescribed medication to treat mental illness. By wearing one of these buttons, you are open to sharing how the medication helped you.
A Beautiful Canary Signals That Climate Is a Monumental Issue
The United Kingdom group Craftivist Collective crafts yellow canaries to send to lawmakers to encourage attention to climate change.
Angry Protestor or Creative Changemaker? A New Activism Definition
For many, the image of an angry protestor shouting slogans and waving signs is the first thing that springs to mind when they think about activism. But they should think about crafters.
Documentaries and Films
Activists use documentaries and films as artistic activism. This art form can raise awareness, increase engagement, and make change. With this in mind, check to see if films have websites where you can learn more about the issues raised in the movie. And what you can do to help.
Patricia Finneran, in her report on documentaries, recommends these films as society-changers.
- Titicut Follies, 1967 (mental hospital abuses)
- Hunger in America, 1968 (poverty)
- Harlan County, USA, 1976 (coal mining)
- An Inconvenient Truth, 2006 (climate change)
- Food, Inc., 2008 (factory farming of animals)
- A Place at the Table, 2012 (hunger)
- Made in L.A., 2013 (immigrant workers’ rights)
Explore Documentary and Film Posts
At the Intersection of Activism and Illness
Jennifer Brea, a patient activist for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), released the film Unrest to bring awareness for health equality. In addition, she formed an online community for ME sufferers.
Celebrate Cesar Chavez's Birthday by Watching this Short Documentary
Cesar Chavez worked tirelessly for farmworkers. But as Cesar Chavez: Respect for All shows, he also impacted other causes.
Who was Cesar Chavez's Surprisingly Badass Partner?
Cesar Chavez's partner Dolores Huerta has a film about her life as an activist. And, she is still working for social justice.
Theater
The theater, like film, impacts social change with a compelling story. As a result of displays of a live, three-dimensional message, theater is more powerful than movies. Because of the immediacy and intimate setting, the message is powerful. If your strength is in theater, use it for your artistic activism. Theater touches people’s hearts and can change minds.
Explore Theater Posts
Is Acting in Your Blood? A Spotlight on Theater as Activism
Summer Awad believes that complicated issues can be well-communicated through theater. Using her passion and strengths, she wrote WALLS: A Play for Palestine. Several years ago, the New York International Fringe Festival accepted Walls.
The Diggers - A Spotlight on the Remarkable Theater Group of the '60s
The Diggers, a 60's guerilla theater group, were at the core of the Haight-Ashbury movement. In addition to theatrical activism, they gave away food and ran a free store. And, they created tye-die!
How to Make the World a Better Place for Women: Social Justice Themes in "Keep Marching"
Eve Ensler wrote the award-winning The Vagina Monologues. In addition, she created V-Day, which focuses on eliminating violence against women.
Is Acting in Your Blood? A Spotlight on Theater as Activism
A creative approach called Legislative Theater uses skits depicting injustice. First, the actors perform the skit. Then, they do it a second time and invite legislators to take a role and create a different outcome. Finally, the audience gets involved in the debate to discuss ways to right the injustice.
Music
What social change music is on your playlist? For example, I have iconic songs, such as John Lennon’s Imagine. Also, one of my favorite albums is So Far by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Musicians use art as activism to impact important issues:
- Pete Seeger (labor movement, civil rights, anti-Vietnam War, environment)
- Willie Nelson (Farm Aid)
- John Lennon (world peace)
- Bob Dylan (civil rights)
- Joan Baez (civil rights, nonviolence, environment)
- Bob Geldof (anti-poverty)
- Bono (anti-poverty, Apartheid, AIDS)
Explore Music Posts
Powerful Advice for New Activists: Agitate, Agitate, Agitate!
Sparky Rucker’s soaring music and captivating storytelling spotlight history. Likewise, he shares ways new activists can get inspired.
At the Intersection of Thanksgiving and a Vegan Rapper
Today, rap musicians increase awareness of racism, African American history, and culture. To illustrate, read the fascinating story of vegan rapper Grey. And yes, you can have a yummy vegan Thanksgiving.
Beautiful Harmonica-Playing and Powerful Change-Making
Rhonda Rucker uses her creativity to make change. Her children’s books, Swing Low, Sweet Harriet, and Make a Change, focus on Activist Rhonda Rucker works to make a change in the world. And you have to hear her play the harmonica.
Writing
An author with a beautiful turn of phrase can change a mind. Rather than in-your-face civil disobedience, writing is a more gentle protest. However, the words themselves may not be tender. In fact, the words of my favorite social justice authors changed me.
Of all the classic books on my high school’s reading list, The Jungle is the one that most changed my life. Ultimately, it led me to a vegan lifestyle. But Upton Sinclair didn’t intend to focus on the abuse of animals in the meatpacking industry. Instead, his focus was on the horrific working conditions for the mostly immigrant employees. And as a result, The Jungle led to improved working conditions and hygiene.
After visiting the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, I was interested to learn more about founder Bryan Stevenson. So I turned to his book, Just Mercy.
My civil rights pilgrimage shook my foundation. As a result, I realized how much my privilege has insulated me. And made me fragile.
Explore Writing Posts
Beautiful Harmonica-Playing and Powerful Change-Making
Activist Rhonda Rucker works to make a change in the world. For example, her children's books focus on African American history.
How a Chef Helps Activists With Self-Care
Being an activist can be hard work. So, Chef Julia Turshen reminds us to use self-care with healthy, homemade food. And she gives us activism tips, too.
At the Intersection of Activism and Illness
Jessica is bed-ridden. However, that does not stop her from advocating for herself and other ME patients. To put it another way, she wrote A Girl Behind Dark Glasses. Her goal in writing the book? Specifically, to help ME sufferers have hope.
Little Miss Flint Is Passionate About Environmental Justice
In What the Eyes Don’t See Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha tells the story of the Flint water crisis. This physician discovered elevated levels of lead in children's blood. Consequently, she was the first to raise concerns about the danger of Flint water.
How to Make the World a Better Place for Women: Social Justice Themes in "Keep Marching"
In Keep Marching, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner guides activists who want to advance women's issues. In addition, she provides practical resources.
Listen to Trans People When They Speak Their Truth
A magazine article sparks a controversy. And trans people, who have lived with discrimination and little opportunity to be heard, hold the truth. Therefore, we must be quiet. Let them speak their truth and believe them.
Did Harper Lee Need a Sensitivity Reader?
A sensitivity reader reviews manuscripts for authenticity. For example, their work helps authors ensure they are faithful in their portrayal of characters with marginalized identities. But, readers weren't around when Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. Did she need one?
#OwnVoices - Beware a Popular Book That Needed a Sensitivity Reader
The #OwnVoices hashtag shows books written by an author who shares a marginalized identity with the protagonist. Unfortunately, Mark Haddon's popular book is not one of them.
Why are Sensitivity Readers So Controversial?
I’ve been fascinated by a publishing industry controversy–sensitivity readers. Are they liberals intent on censoring authors? Conversely, are they people who help authors avoid stereotypes and bias?
What Southern Witness Teaches Us About Social Justice
In "Southern Witness," Gibson highlights southern UU congregations and their impact on social justice during the civil rights movement.
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How To Find The Best Activism Method
Learn more about using the books to find your passion and change the world.
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