Join our next free workshop!

DATE: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
TIME: 12pm - 1:30pm Eastern
COST: Free or pay what you can, all proceeds donated to World Central Kitchen

Facing increased repression and censorship, cultural workers are at a crossroads. How do we not just resist, but proactively build the world we envision? When we self-censor or succumb to restrictions, what is the true cost to our values and communities? This isn't about defensive reactions; it's about reclaiming our power to act boldly, strategically, and creatively from our core values.

We believe a more just world is not just possible, but imperative. This participatory virtual workshop is an invitation for cultural workers to build solidarity and shared knowledge. Together, we'll explore historical and global examples of "over and under the radar" cultural strategies. We'll learn from each other, share experiences, and collectively brainstorm innovative approaches to build a brave, creative, and just future.

This is a virtual workshop and will not be recorded.

New Year Inspiration

Who has inspired you as you enter 2026?

My literature world has temporarily shrunk a bit, but all of us get tremendous joy out of Run Wild! by David Covell. Robert loves the pictures (you can see some of them here) and it feeds our excitement to go out and explore. It also reminds us to give him space to learn all about this world on his own. - Braden

Years ago, my dear friend, colleague and co-author Rainey Tisdale introduced me to dancer Twyla Tharp’s 33 questions about your own creative practice. I’m going to return to it this year to see where I am and where I might be going. Some of her questions: Describe your first successful creative act; What are your attitudes toward: money, power, praise, rivals, work, play?; When you work, do you love the process or the result? Much more in her book!- Linda

I continue to draw inspiration from Priya Parker, gatherer extraordinaire. She recently shared YearCompass, a free reflection and planning booklet that offers a refreshing alternative to traditional New Year’s resolutions. I loved writing responses to prompts such as: This year I will draw the most energy from…; This year, I will be bravest when…; What is your secret wish for this year? - Stacey

New Year Planning Open Hours

We’re here to chat if you want to talk through new ideas, strategies, or plans for this year! 

What’s sparked our interest?

We loved watching New York City’s mayor Zohran Mamdani’s social media videos and the way he made connections with both history and place. In the series called “Until it’s done,” he sits at a half-round desk, outside, to tell us stories about people who helped shape New York–among them socialist Vito Marcantonio, trans activist Silvia Rivera, and investigative journalist Nellie Bly. He wanted people to both learn and have fun. In August, thousands of people joined in a scavenger hunt with clues leading to places all named after former New York City mayors.The prize: a cup of chai at the Little Flower Cafe (a nod to Mayor LaGuardia). What would it look like if your museum (or your mayor) encouraged such lively learning?

This video about the EnergieSprong strategy a process for making homes net zero, got me excited for two reasons. One is that it solves a problem by flipping perspective. The other is it thinks about how to make something complex easier and widely available. It is a reminder to me, to always look for other approaches and angles to solving challenges.

What are we up to?

Linda was the keynote speaker at the annual ARCS (the Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists) conference. She highlighted the ways that these museum folks can make real differences as we work together towards justice for all. With examples from around the world, her goal was to have professionals often ignored in changemaking understand their own power!

How can we creatively embed dialogic questions throughout our work? Stacey led a Creative Dialogic Interpretation workshop with staff from California State Parks to explore this. We practiced turning dialogic questions into engaging and creative activities in exhibits, tours, communications, and even staff meetings! One participant shared, "I learned that dialogic questions can be used in multiple formats to help connect people and begin finding solutions to problems that otherwise seem insurmountable."

Linda facilitated a webinar, Understanding Indigenous Communities in the US South with public historian and Cherokee Nation citizen Brandon Dillard and Josh Parris, Forestry Manager for the Eastern Band of the Cherokees for New March Strategies, a firm specializing in sustainable forestry practices.  More than 150 forestry experts joined up to learn about Indigenous practices.

What’s coming up?

Braden and Linda will be facilitating webinars for teachers and students in Connecticut in the lead-up to the Troutbeck Symposium, an innovative student-led educational forum.

Braden and our friends Dina Bailey and Kate Merrick will be facilitating an in-person gathering with California State Parks staff from two cohorts working to tell great, inclusive history at their parks. 

Interested in working with us?