Supporting Equity-Centered Higher Education Change Agents Through Arts-Based Practices Within a Community of Transformation

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Restorative Arts: Repair, Remediation, and Healing (Table 3)

Abstract

While organizational change in academia is difficult, change efforts that aim at diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) are particularly challenging. We formed a community of transformation that employs arts-based practices—speculative design, remixing, and futurisms—to support change agents with commitment and capacity for DEIJ-centered change. The current study investigates ways these arts practices can engage members in critiquing systems of oppression, strategically envisioning change mechanisms, and holding tight to DEIJ commitments. We analyzed community members’ creative works and discussion in terms of intention, process, remixing, and change agency. We found evidence that remixing problematic materials supported a merging of activism and aesthetics. Our approach to coding and activities can be adapted by others who support DEIJ change initiatives.

Authors

• Susannah C. Davis, University of New Mexico

• Vanessa Svihla, University of New Mexico

• Nadia Kellam, Arizona State University

• Kristen Ferris, University of New Mexico

• Earl E Lee, Arizona State University

• Katharine S. Getz, Pennsylvania State University