This workshop, led by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) artists, delves into Cultural Power—the intersection of arts and activism. It is designed to inspire artists to recognize their “superpowers” to create social change while building community. It will provide a framework of cultural activism for artists of all levels and all disciplines. Participating artists will deepen their understanding of the concept of cultural power, awaken their artist-activist mindset, explore strategies “artist disruptors” can use to dismantle harmful systems in the art ecosystem and discover ways to create a world of collaboration with artists at the center.

The Center for Cultural Power serves Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (QTBIPOC) artists and culture makers as well as immigrant and undocumented artists, disabled artists, and women artists who are dedicated to transformational creative practices that dismantle systems of oppression, envision the world we want to create, and build cultural power. QTBIPOC and BIPOC artists and experiences will be centered in this workshop; allies are welcome but we ask that non-BIPOC artists attend as listeners and learners.

Participants who identify as QTBIPOC on the registration form will be invited to participate in a second workshop, interactive, small group workshop, “Artist Disruptors,” on Monday May 10 from 7-8:30pm ET free of charge.

ASL interpretation and live-captioning are available for this event. Please contact [email protected] to request either or both of these services for free. At least three business days in advance are needed to secure these services.

Kat Evasco
Kat Evasco(she/her) is a queer, Pinay immigrant writer, theater artist and content creator committed to honoring and celebrating the experiences of immigrants, women and lgbtq communities. In 2020, Kat was awarded the Kenneth Rainin New & Experimental Works (NEW) Program Grant towards the premiere of her new play Be Like Water produced by Brava Women in the Arts. Building on the success of her autobiographical one-woman show Mommy Queerest co-written by John Caldon, Kat supports artists to produce solo shows. Kat’s current solo theater projects include directing Prieto by Yosimar Reyes, #Resist by Cesar Cadabes. She is a 2018 Lambda Literary Fellow in Playwriting and her works have been featured on Deadline, IndieWire, Vice, Shondaland, Bustle, The Advocate, Out Magazine, and NBC News Asian America. Kat currently serves as the Director of Artist Leadership at the Center for Cultural Power and holds a BA in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University.

Anna Maria Luera
Anna Maria Luera (she/her) is the Associate Director of Artist Leadership at the Center for Cultural Power. Originally from Arizona, Anna has lived in the Bay Area for over 20 years. Anna believes when we are actively engaged in our own creative growth and vision for the world, we not only positively transform and heal ourselves, but our communities as well. Anna has worked as a Dream Director with The Future Project and as a Senior Program Director with Oakland Kids First. She is a familia company member of the award-winning Campo Santo Theatre company in the Bay Area and has worked with BIPOC young women to tell their stories through ritual theatre, restorative practice and political education. Anna is trained in restorative justice practices, youth development, and arts integration. She received the Equity in the Entertainment Industry Award from Stanford University’s Institute for Diversity in the Arts in 2015.