Together, the Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie podcast and Creative Generation are pleased to announce We Can’t Go Back, a new video interview series which focuses on the journies of artists, educators, and community activists as they raise their consciousness in anti-racist, liberatory, and intersectional feminist practices through the arts.
With the recent nation-wide uprisings in response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other countless victims at the hands of police, the partnership formed their belief that conversations on the topic of race must not only continue but amplify the notion that our communities cannot return to “normal” but rather revise our vision of the future. The time is overdue to examine, interrogate, and confront racist policies and systems founded in oppression and White Supremacy to reconstruct the infrastructure of culture and drive radical change.
“I am extremely proud to have a platform like this podcast and the continued partnership with Creative Generation to engage in these dynamic conversations with artivists and arts leaders,” said Courtney J. Boddie, creator and host of the Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie podcast. “These important conversations will instigate necessary dialogue to improve practices within the field and will help inform my own practice.”
Courtney J. Boddie, New Victory Director of Education/School Engagement, oversees all programs related to school communities reaching over 40,000 students and over 500 teachers through the New Victory school partnership program, teacher professional development training in the performing arts and an innovative approach in the professional development of more than 50 New Victory Teaching Artists. Ms. Boddie, a Hermitage Artist Fellow and the 2019 TYA/USA Community Impact Award Recipient, also sits on many boards, committees and is an adjunct professor at New York University training emerging teaching artists.
“Creative Generation is thrilled to build on our previous relationship with Courtney J. Boddie and her podcast to continue dialogues about the role of the arts and creativity in community engagement and social change,” said Jeff M. Poulin, Managing Director of Creative Generation. “This series will provide an essential platform to amplify the voices of those at the heart of community dialogues about racial justice, and we hope to learn from their practices.”
Creative Generation was founded in April 2019 as a research initiative and has grown through its work in the United States and around the world. Through pioneering research in the arts and cultural education field – and the relentless assertion that young creatives can change the world by catalyzing creative local solutions to global challenges – the organization has supported projects from San Diego to South Sudan, led by myriad stakeholders including artists, educators, community activists, and youth.
From August to December, the arts/culture, education, and community development fields are encouraged to join Courtney to highlight liberators, revolutionary love, and radical healing as a means of community engagement.
About Creative Generation
Contributing to the development of thriving communities and a more just world, Creative Generation works to inspire, connect, and amplify the work of young creatives who catalyze social transformation, and those who are committed to cultivating their creative capabilities. Founded in 2019, Creative Generation operates four signature programs: The Campaign for a Creative Generation, the Institute for Creative Social Transformation, The Academy for Creative Leadership, and an Incubator for activating projects around the world.
About Teaching Artistry
Teaching Artistry blends creative and educational practice in service of community building, social justice, and inspiring joy. Courtney J. Boddie, host and creator, chats with artists, teaching artists and arts educators who are driving professional teaching artistry forward. Courtney and her guests discuss personal journeys, celebrate triumphs and challenges, and advocate fiercely for the arts in all communities.