Recap: How Arts Spaces Can Build Civic and Political Power

​In a recent article for the Nonprofit Quarterly, Chicago-based civic educator and arts activist Tom Tresser made a compelling case for why arts and culture organizations should follow a proven model for civic engagement—one that the far right has successfully employed for over 50 years. Drawing on his experience as a former actor, theater manager, and arts activist, Tresser outlined practical strategies for using creative spaces to build community power and deepen democratic participation.

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Tresser pointed to the Christian Coalition's approach in the early 1990s as an instructive example, not for its ideology but for its organizing mechanics. Rev. Pat Robertson and his allies leveraged the "installed customer base" of evangelical parishes—people already gathering in shared spaces with common values—to build mailing lists, activate supporters for political engagement, raise funds, train leaders, and eventually help supporters run for office and govern.

The key insight applies beyond any particular political movement: begin organizing with people who already gather in one place, share values, and can be easily reached. Arts and culture nonprofits may not have church pews, but they do have gathering spaces in museums, theaters, galleries, and community centers. These organizations can use their physical spaces and existing audiences for power-building that serves their members and communities.
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Tresser referenced influential public policy thinker Sherry Arnstein's "ladder of participation," which describes the process of moving people from passive receptivity to co-creation and co-authority. Arts organizations are uniquely positioned to facilitate this progression.

Three Practical Strategies

Tresser outlined three concrete approaches that arts nonprofits can implement to build civic capacity:

Voter Registration: The basic unit of U.S. politics is the vote, and local politicians track which organizations bring new voters to the political table. Tresser recommended that nonprofits with decent-sized staffs designate one employee responsible for registering staff, members, and visitors to vote—work requiring modest training and upkeep.

He shared his own experience from 1991, when during a campaign to save the National Endowment for the Arts, he and colleagues organized with the League of Women Voters to place voter registration tables in theater lobbies for one weekend. Even though many patrons were already registered, this visible civic action demonstrated the sector's commitment to democratic participation.

For social service organizations, Tresser suggested making voter registration a normal part of service offerings, while helping people understand how voting for local officials translates to tangible community support. While nonprofits cannot advocate for specific candidates, they can and should mobilize and engage voters.

Community Forums: Beyond voter registration, nonprofits can open creative spaces to community groups for large meetings or conferences. While hosting events that don't generate revenue carries organizational costs, building a modest welcoming budget into annual plans allows for community gatherings while managing expenses.

Tresser highlighted inspiring examples including the University of Chicago's Arts & Public Life program, described as "a neighborhood platform for arts and culture" grounded in cultural stewardship and community partnership, and Chicago's Pilsen Arts & Community House, which fosters positive relationships with artists and community members while providing creative opportunities for all.

Candidate Forums: The third and most powerful strategy involves hosting local candidates to pitch their campaigns to informed, engaged audiences. Tresser acknowledged this requires considerable organizing and preparation, but noted it can be managed by working in coalition with other organizations and cultural leaders.
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The process involves deciding which race to focus on (local races like mayor or city council offer high return on effort), securing accessible venues with appropriate equipment, identifying questions through broad stakeholder engagement, convincing candidates to participate by demonstrating the arts community's power and reach, and marketing the event to pack the house with performances, livestreaming, and comprehensive communications.

A Massachusetts Success Story

Tresser highlighted the July 30, 2025 Boston Mayoral Forum on Arts and Culture at the Strand Theatre as a powerful example of these principles in action. Richeline Cadet, director of organizing for MASSCreative and a lead organizer with extensive political campaign experience, worked with colleagues starting in October 2024 to bring the event to fruition.
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Several hundred people packed the Strand Theatre to hear all candidates, including incumbent Mayor Michelle Wu, speak powerfully about the arts' role in city life and pledge to improve conditions for arts, culture, and education sectors. As Cadet explained, organizing events that bring candidates and voters together is exactly how to build political momentum and create strong foundations for real, sustainable change.

Time for Action

For dialogue and deliberation practitioners working within or alongside arts organizations, Tresser's framework offers a roadmap for translating values into concrete civic action. Arts nonprofits engage tens of millions of people who visit institutions, connect with programs, and spend dozens of hours annually in creative spaces. The potential for these organizations to strengthen democratic participation through voter registration, community forums, and candidate engagement is enormous.

The work requires moving beyond viewing arts organizations solely as cultural providers to recognizing them as civic infrastructure—spaces where community members already gather, share experiences, and can develop the relationships and capacities essential to democratic life.
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Read Tom Tresser's complete article with additional resources and details at: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/how-to-use-art-spaces-to-build-civic-and-political-power/