CSCW's Art & Social Change Weather Report From Minneapolis

Change the Story / Change the World

Summary

Weather Report: The Art & Activism Forecast from Minneapolis

In this episode, we kick off a new Change the Story feature—The Weather Report—where we check in with creative change-makers across the country to get a pulse on how art and activism are faring in their communities.

First stop: Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Our guest is David O’Fallon, a longtime cultural leader with deep roots in the Twin Cities and beyond. From his early days with In the Heart of the Beast Theatre to leadership roles at the Kennedy Center, National Endowment for the Arts, and Minnesota Humanities Center, David brings a wide-angle lens to the intersection of arts, policy, and social change.

Together, we dig into how Minneapolis artists, activists, and community groups are navigating the storm—from the unresolved tensions of George Floyd Square to the challenges of rebuilding trust in the face of political upheaval and media manipulation. We talk about the power of creative communities to imagine and build new futures, the rebirth of the beloved May Day Parade, and an emerging movement to reclaim America’s story—on our terms.

Along the way, we hit on big themes: resistance, reckoning, and resurgence. How do artists and organizers hold space for healing and action? How do we keep showing up when systems are designed to wear us down? And what does it mean to embrace practical, tactical, coalition-building work—without getting lost in ideological purity?

David shares his work with a Black-led healing and writing group in George Floyd Square, his thoughts on the political climate’s impact on the arts, and a vision for a People’s Celebration of America in 2026, where all voices, all stories, and all struggles get their due.

This is about more than survival—it’s about finding the creative, collective courage to build what’s next.

👉 Listen in, and let’s get to work.

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🎧 Next up: We head to Massachusetts for another Weather Report—so stay tuned.

Takeaways:

Top Takeaways from This Episode

1. Art as a Tool for Social Change – In Minneapolis, artists and activists continue to use creativity to respond to political and cultural turmoil, demonstrating that art is both a means of expression and a force for resistance and healing.

2. The Legacy of George Floyd Square – The community remains in deep tension, navigating unresolved challenges while creating spaces for dialogue, healing, and storytelling.

3. Media & Misinformation Challenges – Local news outlets have been dominated by conservative media conglomerates, making it harder for communities to access diverse perspectives and truthful reporting.

4. The Return of the May Day Parade – Once an iconic Minneapolis tradition, the parade is being revived by a new, diverse coalition of organizers, showing the resilience of community-led cultural events.

5. Building the America That Must Be – Instead of accepting a narrow, exclusionary vision of American identity, communities must take ownership of their own narratives—leading to efforts like a People’s Celebration of America in 2026.

6. Practical Activism Over Purity – Movements don’t have to be perfect to be effective. The key is to focus on action, coalition-building, and local organizing rather than ideological disagreements.

7. Show Up & Keep Showing Up – Long-term social change happens through consistent presence and trust-building. It’s about digging in, listening, and doing the work—no shortcuts.

Notable Mentions

Here’s list of all the mentioned people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in this episode.

People

1. David O’Fallon – A cultural leader and arts advocate who has worked with organizations like the Kennedy Center, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Minnesota Humanities Center.

2. George Floyd – A Black man whose murder by police in Minneapolis in 2020 sparked worldwide protests and ongoing social justice movements.

3. Sandy Spieler – A visionary artist known for her leadership in the In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre and the May Day Parade.

4. Timothy Snyder – A historian and author of On Tyranny, a book that explores lessons from history on resisting authoritarianism.

5. Ricardo Levins Morales – A political artist and activist, recently published a new book addressing social justice movements.

6. Marquis Bowie – A community leader and author involved in activism in George Floyd Square where he also leads a writers group.

Events

1. George Floyd Protests – A series of global demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustice, sparked by George Floyd’s murder.

2. May Day Parade – A long-standing Minneapolis cultural event featuring giant puppets and community-driven performances, originally connected to In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.

3. People’s Celebration of America (2026) – A proposed grassroots initiative to celebrate American diversity and history in response to government-driven narratives.

Organizations

1. Center for the Study of Art and Community – The producer of the Change the Story, Change the World podcast, focusing on the role of arts in social change.

2. In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre – A Minneapolis-based theater company known for its puppet performances and social justice activism.

3. Kennedy Center – A leading performing arts institution in Washington, D.C.

4. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – A U.S. government agency that supports arts projects nationwide.

5. Minnesota Humanities Center – A cultural organization promoting community engagement through the humanities.

6. Braver Angels – A nonprofit working to bridge partisan divides and restore civil discourse in the U.S.

7. Sinclair Broadcast Group – A major conservative media conglomerate that owns numerous local news stations.

8. Fox News – A major conservative-leaning news network in the U.S.

Publications

1. On Tyranny – A book by Timothy Snyder offering lessons on resisting authoritarianism.

2. Langston Hughes’ “Let America Be America Again” – A famous poem cited in the podcast, advocating for a just and inclusive America.

3. North of 80 (Substack) – David O’Fallon’s blog, featuring reflections on arts, activism, and social change.

4. The Land Knows the Way– Recently published book by Ricardo Levins Morales discussing grassroots activism and social justice movements.

This Podcast:

Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.

Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.

Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.