Arts & Democracy Project Update

April 2010
Greetings from the Arts & Democracy Project! 
 
In this update, we share resources with you on an issue critical for arts and democracy: preserving an open Internet. 

Preserving an Open Internet: Resources and Tools

A free and open Internet has become a necessity, not a luxury, for all aspects of art and democracy.  A court decision handed down last in April threatened to kill the Internet as we know it.  Organizers have been mobilizing phone calls, letters, and support from all corners, and are making progress at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  But the threat is far from over.  Below are some resources to help understand the issues and take action.

Image from the Art Dept. Chronicles
net neutrality pic (from the art dept chronicles)

Information Resources

Video primer  on net neutrality, created by Jesse Dylan (yes, Bob Dylan's son!)

Video of Casey Rae Hunter of the Future of Music Coalition explaining importance of open Internet in daily lives of musicians, plus impact of the April court decision

Media Minutes podcast featuring Jack Walsh of NAMAC (the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture) on net neutrality and the future of the arts

Blog post by Amalia Deloney and Steven Renderos about Obama, communities of color, and an open Internet.

Center for Media Justice podcast on Race, Immigration, and the fight for an open Internet

Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) podcast about the legal details of the April court decision that challenged the enforcement of open Internet principles

Barbershop Punk, an upcoming documentary about one barbershop quartet musician's fight for an open Internet

Fact sheet on net neutrality and musicians from the Media Justice League of San Antonio

Main Street Project's fact sheet on (im)migrants and the Internet

Fact sheet on Internet access disparities and mobile devices from People's Production House
 
Action Resources

Color of Change's online petition to the FCC and letter on importance of net neutrality for Black Communities

The Future of Music Coalitions' Rock the Net campaign, chock full of resources, examples of artist activism, and a tool for submitting comments to the FCC

Free Press' Save the Internet campaign, with FAQ, blog, videos, and online petition


As always, we're proud to highlight the great work in this field to support and cross-pollinate an extraordinary network of artists, cultural workers, policymakers, educators, and activists.  
All our best,

Amalia, Caron, Kathie, Jason, Javiera, Lena, and Yolanda
The Arts & Democracy Team

In This Issue
Open Internet
Resources
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Who We Are


The Arts & Democracy Project builds the momentum of a cultural movement that draws on a rich history of arts activism, social justice organizing, and grassroots engagement. The program catalyzes and supports cross-pollination between sectors, cultures, and generations and the linking of practitioners, policymakers, educators, and activists.

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In Case You Missed It:
Great Resources
Arts and culture-based resources for organizing around the 2010 census, compiled by the Arts & Democracy Project.


space for change

Space for Change Call for Proposals
Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC), in partnership with the Ford Foundation, has opened a call for proposals for grants to provide support for arts organizations working to buy, build, or renovate vibrant artist spaces.



allied media conference

Allied Media Conference
An opportunity to share tools and tactics for
transforming our
communities through media-based organizing.