Arts, Creativity and Civic Engagement

Alternate R.O.O.T.S. (Atlanta, GA.) is an organization whose mission is to support the creation and presentation of original art, which is rooted in a particular community of place, tradition or spirit. The programs and services address concerns in the areas of social and economic justice and the protection of the natural world. Link

Art for Social Change explores the potential for personal transformation and social change intrinsic to the creative process of making art. Link

The New American Festival Project believes that the arts, in mindful conduction with local and national activism expertise, are one important approach to facilitating the honest exploration of our shared circumstances. Link

The Social and Public Art Resource Center is committed to socially responsible art making by focusing on public art that includes the multiple perspectives of the people who inhabit public space. Link

Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey in the Rock is an African American female a cappela ensemble with deep musical roots in the sacred music of the black church, spirituals, hymns, gospels as well as jazz. Link

The Positive Youth Foundation was created to promote awareness through youth oriented music and culture in order to educate and foster dialogue within the realms of youth subcultures concerning bigotry and all related issues. Link

Lenny Foster's photographs honor and reveal the healing power of the spirit. Link

Daniel Minter works in the same media used by many generations of southern African-American artists -- carving and painting on wood, his art reflects the beauty, richness and spirit of his heritage. Link

The Spirituals Project is a broad-based initiative to explore the many, varied dimensions of African American spirituals as art form, tradition and tool; and to invite all people to experience the joy and power of this dynamic music and gift from African Americans to the world. Link

Also, see the new multimedia educational website of the Spirituals Project, which is designed for use by educators, teachers, musicians, artists and others who are interested in learning about the history and ongoing cultural influences of the spirituals. Link