How do Arts Leaders Become Community Change Agents?

Change the Story / Change the World

Summary

In this powerful and personal conversation, MASS Cultural Council Executive Director, Michael Bobbitt explores the life-saving role of the arts, how creative work is inherently political, and the deep importance of joy, community, and innovation in building a better future. Drawing on his personal story, leadership journey, and groundbreaking initiatives, Bobbitt challenges arts organizations to think boldly and cross-sectorally in their work for social change.

Bio

Michael J. Bobbitt is a distinguished theater artist. As the Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, he is the highest- ranking public official in Massachusetts state government focused on arts and culture.Since 2021, he has led the Agency through several initiatives, including the development of its first Racial Equity Plan, d/Deaf & Disability Equity and Access Plan, and Native American & Indigenous Equity Plan; the launch of the nation’s first statewide Social Prescribing Initiative; the securing and distribution of $60.1 million in pandemic relief funding; and the design and implementation of a strategic plan for fiscal years 2o24-2026. Recently, Michael was listed as one of the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 Movement Makers. He has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on both the Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment and the newly established Massachusetts Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council, and he recently received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa from Dean College. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

He previously served as Artistic Director of the New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, MA; immediately prior to this he held the same position at the Adventure Theatre-MTC in Maryland for 12 years. While in Maryland Michael led the organization to be a respected regional theatre training company, and a nationally influential professional Theatre for Young Audiences.

🗝️ Key Moments

[00:01:33] “Little Michael Bobbitt” — Michael shares how art saved him as a child and continues to inspire his work.

[00:04:00] Choosing vulnerability — Telling the whole story, not just the trauma.

[00:06:50] A call for Black Joy — Balancing narratives of trauma with celebration.

[00:12:58] From stage to strategy — Transitioning from theater to state leadership.

[00:16:48] Dean College Commencement — The unimagined power of creativity.

[00:24:21] A critique of the nonprofit arts model — "We’ve done it to ourselves."

[00:27:21] Arts prescriptions — Prescribing the arts for public health and healing.

[00:33:36] Sensory-friendly theater — From local inclusion to global Broadway.

[00:35:51] Reggae fairy tale — Celebrating Black culture through Bob Marley’s legacy.

[00:41:11] What’s next? — Creative benefits as workplace wellness tools.

🧠 Key Takeaways

Art is essential health care: Arts are not a luxury but a necessity for healing and growth, especially for marginalized communities

Joy is a radical act: Uplifting narratives and joyful representation are as vital as stories of struggle.

The arts must engage beyond themselves: Arts organizations must work across sectors—housing, healthcare, transportation—to demonstrate relevance and impact.

Creativity is a leadership skill: The creative process is a core tool for future-ready leadership across industries.

The sector needs bold innovation: Outdated management models are failing. It's time to reimagine the arts ecosystem with creativity at the center.

🔍 Notable Mentions

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 People

Michael Bobbitt – Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and lifelong arts advocate.

Bill Cleveland – Host of Change the Story, Change the World, artist, writer, and community arts activist.

Sadella Marley – Daughter of Bob Marley; adapted his music into children's books.

Charlotte Gruman – Accessibility consultant, featured for her work on sensory-friendly performances at Goodman Theatre.

📅 Events

Dean College 2024 Commencement – Bobbitt’s keynote address on creativity and the unimagined.

Alternate ROOTS 50th Anniversary – Celebration of 50 years of radical arts activism in the South

🏛️ Organizations

Massachusetts Cultural Council – State agency supporting arts, culture, and creative communities under Bobbitt’s leadership.

Adventure Theatre MTC – Children's theater where Bobbitt piloted the first sensory-friendly productions.

Theater Development Fund (TDF) – Helped launch Broadway’s first sensory-friendly performances.

Alternate ROOTS – Southern-based arts collective committed to anti-racism and community-rooted art.

New Village Press – Publisher of Alternate ROOTS' 50th anniversary book.

Center for the Study of Art and Community – Podcast’s host organization.

Goodman Theatre – Chicago theater with robust accessibility and sensory-friendly programming.

📚 Publications

“We Are the World” and other 1980s music activism – Referenced for arts’ role in public awareness campaigns.

New Village Press – ROOTS 50 – Book compiling stories from Alternate ROOTS.

CultureRx – A Mass Cultural Council program connecting arts and health care.

Please Join the Change the Story Change the World GOFundME Campaign.

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.https://gofund.me/dd0ab18c