The Utopia Project

Inspiration for Creative Activism

What’s unique about this project?

As an educator-curator, I let the visitor experience drive the design. Step-by-step, visitors are led through the process of turning their own heartfelt cause into an action for social change. Stories and objects were chosen to SUPPORT the experience, but the historical content was not center-stage. In the words of one visitor, “This is an exhibit about me!” YES! I'm increasingly interested in the potential of exhibits to teach visitors about themselves and their own potential.
It’s about activism without being political. Because the focus of the exhibition is the mechanics of activism and unlocking each person’s creative abilities to create change, it does not advocate for a particular political agenda.
The focus on “Utopia” leaves visitors energized and hopeful. With the injustices in the world today, museum staff may wonder if addressing these issues is too disheartening for visitors. In Utopia we taught visitors that they have to imagine and move towards the world they WANT rather than the world they don’t want - which is both empowering and inspiring.
Our partner, The Center for Artistic Activism (C4AA), provided the activism strategies and tactics. It was important that the activism strategies be both evidence-based and have street credibility. C4AA brought that expertise to the table while the museum provided many of the case studies to support those strategies. It was an extremely fruitful partnership.
This exhibition could serve as a template. Since the strategies for social change are relevant anywhere, local stories, artifacts, and art could be plugged into this same basic template to create a locally relevant version of the same exhibition. Contact me if you’re interested in making something together!

Each visitor is given a Dreambook - which takes them step-by-step through the process of creating a plan of action. Each section in the exhibit corresponds with a page in the Dreambook.

Walk through the power portal to activate your power to make positive change.

The "Feel" section, which helps visitors identify emotions associated with causes they feel passionate about. This powerful mural of Breonna Taylor was painted by Anacostia artist Yetunde Sapp and was created as protest/street art in 2020.

The Emotion Wheel helps visitors identify emotions that can "fuel" their activism.

In the Dream Space visitors are encouraged to think about the world they want to see. What does it look like, feel like, sound like?

The Creative Activism Showcase section features 9 case studies. Like this example, "Traffic Mimes." this section illustrates the many ways (outside of protest signs, boycotts, and other more well-known tactics) that can be effective tools of change.

Inspired by the example? Take a sticker and put it in your Dreambook to remember.

Visitors turn their dreams into plans for action

Visitor creations filled the space with creativity.

In case visitors want to support a local initiative instead of dreaming up their own action, these Quick Action Cards, with contact info on the back, are a useful take-away.

Quick Action Card with info on how to become a mentor to a local high school student.

Me and Rebecca Bray - my collaborator for thie exhibition from The Center for Artistic Activism.