WITHOUT POWER WE ARE HELPLESS
We believe America needs more love, more power, and more public. The foundation is civic love and the endgame is a robust, excellent, and evolving public sector that meets the needs of the people. The connection – the enabling condition – is POWER. We must hold office and govern in order to set policies, draft laws, set budgets, appoint judges, and move or quiet armies. See the Graveyard of Progressive Policies for a small collection of great ideas that have gone NOWHERE. Here is a recently released report, “Civic Power – the Role and Impact of Independent Politcal Organizations in Expanding the Electorate and Building Governing Influence” (wordy, right). Here’s the point: “While mass-based political and civic organizations have long been on the decline, this erosion has been uneven across the political spectrum. The conservative movement has spent decades building and networking civic infrastructure while progressive forces have
predominantly engaged in reactive, episodic mobilization through
the loosely coordinated activist efforts collectively termed the
Resistance.” (p.6) We are the leaders we have been waiting for (and deserve).
Nonprofit organizations – especially arts and culture spaces can do a lot to build local civic and political power. This space will offer a number of options. Read this piece from The Nonprofit Quarterly. “How to Use Art Spaces to Build Civic and Political Power.”
CANIDATE’S FORUMS
Watch the above 3 minute video to see Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s opening comments at the arts and culture candidate’s forum for the three candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the office of Mayor. This was held on July 30, 2025 at the Strand Theatre in Boston. The main organizer was MASSCreative and its Create the Vote Coalition. One of the lead organizers was Richeline Cadet, Director of Organizing. She is willing to share her experience with other organizers!
Read coverage of the event from The Boston Art Review, “Cultural Issues at the Heart of Boston’s Mayoral Race: Funding, Displacement, and Education.” The article noted “The health and well-being of Boston’s more than 130,000 creative workers is indicative of how the state is doing at large. Artists’ concerns are community concerns: affordable housing, reliable public transit, and the promise of safety. “It’s not an easy moment in our country’s history and all of the pressures that are on our families are in some ways felt and condensed even more through our arts and culture sector. “You all are the platform, the foundation, the beating heart of how we bring people together, how we transcend the various boundaries and divisions that so many are trying to impose on and between our communities,” Mayor Wu said.”
Mayor Wu won the primary handily, and, facing no opposition, was re-elected to office on November 4, 2025.
Download the guide from Nonprofit Vote – an excellent resource for building nonprofit power.
Why organize a candidate’s forum in your space:
- When coupled with a voter registration drive, it builds your political muscle, relationships, and power.
- It forces candidates to learn your issues and prepare to speak to them powerfully on your turf and on your terms.
- It signals to your allies and stakeholders that your issues are important and that you are serious about them being addressed by your local elected officials.