Artivism facts for kids

Artivism is a special word that mixes art and activism. It's sometimes called Social Artivism. It means using art to make a difference in the world. Artivists use their creativity to speak out about important issues.

The idea of artivism started in the United States. It grew from a meeting in 1997. Chicano artists from East Los Angeles met with the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico. Artists and musicians like Quetzal and Ozomatli helped make the words "Artivist" and "Artivism" popular. They used art in many events and actions. Places like Self Help Graphics & Art were also important.

Artivism grew even more during anti-war and anti-globalization protests. Artivists often try to share political messages through their art. They also focus on making people aware of social, environmental, and technical problems.

Artivists use many different ways to share their messages. They use traditional art forms like film and music. But they also do things like culture jamming and subvertising. These are creative ways to challenge big companies or ideas. Artivists also use street art, spoken word, and protesting.

Famous artivist Eve Ensler said that artivism is like activism. But it's filled with the wild ideas of art. She said it's where new ideas come out. It's where imagination is set free.

What Do Artivists Do?

Artivists use their artistic skills to fight against unfairness. They speak out against things that are wrong. They use any art form they can. This includes writing, photography, painting, singing, or even dance. An artivist believes that if you see a problem, you have a duty to act.

In 2018, a study in Copenhagen, Denmark, looked at artivism. It compared artivism to regular activism. The results showed that artivism might be even more effective. This means art can be a very strong tool for change.

Who Are Some Artivists?

Many artists use their work to be activists. Here are some people who are known as artivists or artist-activists:

Artivist Groups and Organizations

Artivists often work together in groups. These groups might be independent. Or they might be the creative part of larger activist movements. An example is Gran Fury, which was part of AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP).

• Artivist Film Festival
• Crass
• Da! collective
• Pangaeseed Foundation
• Red Rebel Brigade
• The Fearless Collective
• The Yes Men
• Sol Collective

Images for kids

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  You Cut Art, You Cut Culture by Artica Concepts

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  Bomb-hugger by Banksy

See Also

In Spanish: Artivismo para niños

• The arts and politics
• Invisible theater
• Social center
• Timeline of Extinction Rebellion actions
• Whirl-Mart