S3 Ep11: Granting Yourself Permissions with Jorge Lucero

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff  talk about working within systems to change those systems. Jeff shares his interview with Dr. Jorge Lucero focused on his book and work about “Conceptual Art’s Permissions” which can be employed in arts education. Karla and Jeff break down the ideas and think about how they can use these permissions to move towards systems of abundance. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • About Conceptual Art’s Permissions in arts education;

  • How our stories can inform the ways we navigate systems in culture and education; and 

  • Ways in which we can apply disruptive tactics to reimagine systems and our work.

Some things from the episode:


About Jorge Lucero

Jorge Lucero is a Mexican-American artist who currently serves as Associate Professor of Art Education in the  School of Art + Design at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Sometimes he serves as the Chair of that program. Lucero received his Master degree and PhD from The Pennsylvania State University and his undergraduate degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Prior to moving into higher education Lucero happily taught art and art history at the Chicago Public School, Northside College Prep

As part of his lifelong work to test the material and conceptual pliability of "school" Lucero participates in and around the academy in every manner possible. He has exhibited, performed, published, presented on, served as editor and reviewer, and taught through his work in galleries, schools and school districts, books, journals, conferences, workshops, museums, community organizations, performances, advisory boards, and artist residencies. Exhibitions that Lucero has participated in have been written about and covered in ArtForum; Sculpture; NewCity; the Chicago Tribune; the Sun-Times; Gaper's Block; DNAinfo, WTTW's Chicago Tonight; WGLT.org; and the PBS Digital Studio. 

Lucero is the editor of the compendiums Mere and Easy: Collage as a Critical Practice in Pedagogy (2016, U of I Press)**, What Happens at the Intersection of Conceptual Art and Teaching? (2023, w/ Catalina Hernandez Cabal through the Amsterdam University of the Arts), and several other volumes. He’s also the author of Teacher as Artist-in-Residence: The Most Radical Form of Expression to Ever Exist (2020, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts).

Lucero is also Conceptual Art & Teaching, an ongoing project that is simultaneously a hub, archive, and artwork at the increasingly active intersection where conceptual art and teaching practices meet.

This episode was produced by Jeff M. Poulin. The artwork is by Bridget Woodbury. The audio is edited by Katie Rainey. This podcasts’ theme music is by Distant Cousins. For more information on this episode, episode transcripts, and Creative Generation please visit the episode’s web page and follow us on social media @Campaign4GenC.