This teaching module highlights collaborative programs involving artists, nonprofits, and community groups that model what it means to work with—not for—communities to create meaningful, lasting change. These examples help address the challenging question: "Where do we go from here?" (CCA@CCA's 2024-2025 theme). The module also includes resources CCA faculty can use to connect students with local communities and support their development as engaged, creative citizens.

The CCA@CCA initiative offers a range of public programs each semester that provide opportunities like these—experiences we strongly encourage you to explore. Additionally, faculty can apply for grants of up to $1,000 to develop community-engaged projects as part of their courses.

To learn more, visit the CCA@CCA portal page.

This teaching module was developed by CCA@CCA Faculty Coordinator Pia Zaragoza.

The 2024–2025 CCA@CCA theme borrows the question Where do we go from here? from For Freedoms' new book. Published in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election,For Freedoms: Where Do We Go From Here? marks one of the largest public creative collaborations in American history: a series of over 550 artist billboards created between 2016 and 2023. These billboards emphasize For Freedoms' mission to model how art can urge communities into greater participation and action and foster nuanced discourse. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? is also the title of a 1967 book by Martin Luther King Jr. that advocates for human rights and a sense of hope during turbulent times marked by social and political unrest.

In drawing inspiration from these two texts and recent Creative Citizens in Action at the California College of the Arts programming, what becomes evident is the need for art practice centered on hope, providing both motivation and a pathway for meaningful change.

In reflecting on my own practice, I continue to explore how we can design with—rather than for—communities. As an educator, this collaborative approach is central to how I guide my students in approaching this work. Throughout the year, Creative Citizens in Action hosted public programs with different artists, non-profits, and community groups that exemplify what it means to work with communities to create meaningful change.

The 2024–2025 Deborah and Kenneth Novack Creative Citizens Series started off with drag performances by Honey Mahogany and Afrika America. A panel discussion with Adjunct Professor Marcel Pardo Ariza touched upon queer identity, the art of drag, and social justice. The conversation sparked meaningful dialogue, and students expressed a strong interest in becoming more engaged with their communities and were looking for ways to do so.

Honey Mahogany

Honey Mahogany is most known for being in the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race. They have used their platform to promote civic engagement and LGBTQ+ visibility. In addition to being a longtime supporter and performer with Drag Story Hour, Honey has brought joy and representation to children and families through inclusive storytelling. In 2018, they became the first transgender person to serve on the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC).

They later went on to establish The Transgender District in San Francisco and were appointed by Mayor London Breed in 2024 as the new director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives.

Africa America

Afrika America is a dynamic force in the world of entertainment and activism—a host, singer, musical theater artist, producer, artistic director, and proud Drag Out The Vote Ambassador based in San Francisco. With a bold voice and an even bolder vision, Afrika seamlessly blends performance with purpose. They have performed in “Politics are a DRAG!”, using the power of drag to raise awareness and funds for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). They also regularly participate in Drag Story Hour and bring their star power to national platforms to champion creative expression and civic engagement with unmatched passion.

We encourage educators to use these initiatives as entry points to spark students’ imaginations around creative citizenship:

• Drag Story Hour
• Drag Out The Vote
• Transgender District Social Justice Fellowship
  

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

Since 1979, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have devoted themselves to community service and promoting human rights and respect for diversity. With over 40 chapters worldwide, they use creativity, humor, and drag to host events and fundraisers to support the LGBTQ+2S community.

Sister T'aint and Sister Zsa Zsa Glamour met with students during a round table on November 20, 2024. They shared more about the impact of the AIDS epidemic in the 80s. They recounted how the Sisters mobilized to provide care, advocacy, and education during a time of widespread fear and misinformation. Through the creation of one of the first safer sex pamphlets, Play Fair!, they worked to combat negative stigmas and support those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Grassroots publishing in the form of zines and pamphlets continues to be a way to spread awareness, challenge stigmas, and advocate for social change. The California College of the Arts Library has a collection of Zines and books available for checkout in the Artist’ Book Collection.

Manny Yekutiel

In a roundtable discussion with Manny Yekutiel, students had the opportunity to hear his inspiring journey—from humble beginnings to becoming a community leader at the intersection of politics, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship. He shared how his determination and hustle led him to carve out a space in public life, ultimately founding a café as a way to democratize access to political discourse and knowledge. His story highlighted how everyday spaces can become powerful platforms for community connection and change.

Manny Yekutiel is the founder and owner of Manny’s in San Francisco. Manny’s combines a civic events space, restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and political bookstore. Since Manny’s opened they’ve hosted thousands of events and welcomed through the doors many luminaries.

He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Civic Joy Fund, whose mission is to revitalize San Francisco by investing in and organizing projects that bring joy to the streets. Some of the events that the Civic Joy Fund has organized include the San Francisco streets, Downtown First Thursdays, and Disco Trash Pickup.

Whether you’re organizing a field trip or looking for ways to share with students on how to get more involved in the community, Manny’s event calendar has excellent programming and the Civic Joy Fund organizes the Civic Joy Corps.

The final event in this series brought the community together for "Cake and Conversation" to explore how food can nourish but also be a catalyst in sparking conversations around creative citizenship. Historically, shared meals have fostered spaces for organizing, activism, and social change. CCA community members were asked to share some food for thought in response to “Where do we go from here?” on paper plates.

Seventy faculty, staff, and students participated, submitting a vast range of responses. Many expressed a need for more opportunities to build community and develop ways to support the most vulnerable among us. Such responses include: "I hope CCA can be more connected with SF," "[We need] more resources for POC and queer students," and "Support International Students."

Whether it’s a cake picnic, potluck, or other food-related event, these events offer meaningful ways for students to connect, reflect, and collaborate. Priya Parker’s book on The Art of Gathering and Why it Matters offers ideas and tips on how to organize events like this.