Designing and Delivering the Artivism Fellowship

Situation

The Artivism Fellowship program was developed in response to the growing need for innovative approaches to address social injustices in East Africa. The region faces various social challenges, including inequality, human rights abuses, and limited freedom of expression. Artivism, a blend of art and activism, leverages the power of artistic expression to inspire change, challenge injustices, and give voice to marginalized communities. The fellowship aimed to empower artists and activists with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to use their creative talents for social advocacy and impact.

Assignment

Problem: The primary challenge was to create a structured and impactful fellowship program that effectively integrates art with social justice advocacy. The program needed to address the diverse needs of participants, provide comprehensive training, and support the implementation of artivism projects that could make a real difference in their communities. I have worked on two phases of this project, ( Cohort 1 – 2022, Cohort 2 – 2024) , so this is a returning client. the overal budget for the project is 100,000 USD, with 20% going for consulting fees. Design Challenge Formulation: Designing a fellowship that combines intensive training, practical workshops, mentorship, and ongoing support to equip participants with the tools and confidence to use art for social change. Client’s Assignment: ForumCIV commissioned me to develop and deliver the Artivism Fellowship, focusing on creating a robust curriculum, coordinating workshops, facilitating mentorship, and establishing evaluation metrics to measure the program’s impact.

Approach

High-Level Overview: The approach was divided into several key phases: curriculum development, participant recruitment and selection, residency program execution, post-residency mentorship, and final showcase. Detailed Activities and Tools: 1. Curriculum Development: Developed a comprehensive fellowship guide, including structured modules on creative expression, advocacy, project management, and entrepreneurship. 2. Recruitment and Selection: Designed a competitive application process to attract a diverse group of talented artivists. Outreach efforts ensured inclusivity and representation across different regions and artistic disciplines. 3. Residency Program: Conducted intensive, hands-on workshops focused on skill-building, project development, and collaboration. Participants engaged in practical exercises, discussions, and collaborative projects. 4. Post-Residency Mentorship: Provided ongoing mentorship and coaching to support participants in implementing their projects. Facilitated peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. 5. Final Showcase: Organized an event to highlight participants’ projects, celebrate their achievements, and engage with a broader audience. The showcase included presentations, exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

Results

1. Developed and delivered a structured and impactful Artivism Fellowship Guide.
2. Successfully facilitated workshops and mentorship sessions that were highly praised by participants.
3. Supported the development and implementation of innovative artivism projects addressing social issues.

Impact: The fellowship empowered artists and activists to effectively use their creative talents for social change. Participants reported increased confidence, enhanced advocacy skills, and strengthened networks, enabling them to drive social change in their communities. Important Elements: Key elements included the participatory and collaborative approach, the comprehensive mentorship program, and continuous evaluation to ensure the program’s goals were met and adapted to participants’ needs.

This project was commissioned by ForumCIVHub East Africa and performed by Gregory for ForumCIV Kenya. Gregory is also a member of the Proportion Global community. If you’ve enjoyed reading this case and want to dive deeper, we’d love to hear from you and we will connect you with the relevant designers like Gregory, who worked on this project Contact Us