New Rules: 11 Unlikely Lessons for Activist Artists Navigating MAGA.

Change the Story / Change the World

What can we learn from artists who survived the chaos of 1980s prisons—and how can their lessons help us resist authoritarianism today?

From the Center for the Study of Art & Community, this is Change the Story / Change the World: A chronicle of art and social change, where artivists share and learn the skills and strategies they need to thrive as creative community leaders. My name is Bill Cleveland.

As censorship and threats escalate for activist artists and community leaders, navigating today’s polarized world demands more than passion. This episode draws powerful insights from prison arts programs to help creatives and organizers thrive amid rising societal conflict and control.

• Discover 11 practical rules for building credibility, resilience, and respect in high-stakes, divided environments.
• Learn why sustained relationships and long-term commitment are the foundation for real, transformative change.
• Gain essential strategies for navigating us-versus-them traps, telling bold yet responsible stories, and protecting mental health in toxic climates.

Listen now to unlock time-tested survival strategies that can empower your activism, deepen your community work, and sustain your creative mission.

Notable Mentions

1. People

Bill Cleveland: Host of Change the Story, Change the World. Director of the Center for the Study of Art and Community, he draws on decades of experience working with artists in prisons and conflict zones.

Jim Reeves: Author featured in previous episodes, discussed teaching and writing inside prisons.

Noel Raymond: Theater director and cultural leader, spoke about operating arts organizations under political duress.

Vern McKee: Incarcerated artist, president of Vacaville Prison’s Art and Musicians Guilds, who developed the core “Verne’s Rules” that guide arts engagement in high-stakes environments .

2. Events

California’s Arts-in-Corrections Program (1980-90's): A transformative initiative bringing arts education into state prisons during the 1980s, led by Bill Cleveland. A current program under the same name is being operated by the California Arts Council and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is carrying on the program

The Troubles (Northern Ireland): A period of political and sectarian conflict (late 1960s–1998) cited for comparison with the U.S. authoritarian climate.

Khmer Rouge Regime (Cambodia): Post-genocide rebuilding efforts included cultural recovery, referenced here as a parallel to U.S. challenges.

Serbia under Slobodan Milošević: Cited as a reference point for understanding repression and the role of art in recovery.

California Prison Lockdowns (1980s): Specific reference to increased suicide and stress during blocked access to arts programs.

3. Organizations

Center for the Study of Art and Community: Producer of the podcast, promotes creative engagement in communities and conflict zones.

Vacaville Prison Art & Musicians Guilds: Peer-led arts guilds operating inside the prison that played a critical role in early prison arts programming.

Freesound.org: Open source sound effects library used for podcast production.

4. Publications/Media

Change the Story, Change the World: The podcast series highlighting activist art and community practice.

The MAGA Machine: A term referencing the political and cultural fallout from the “Make America Great Again” movement, discussed as a rising source of censorship and pressure on arts practitioners.

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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.