Art To Change The World, Inc.

Minneapolis-based nonprofit Art to Change the World, needs YOUR help in bringing a program to life that has the potential to create lasting prison reform. Think Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” Carter… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpZvg_FjL3Q&list=RDbpZvg_FjL3Q&start_radio=1

“Songs of Resistance” is a music workshop in which songwriters are paired with formerly incarcerated individuals to create songs about their experience in prison/jail, with the goal to uplift unheard voices and share stories with the public about the injustices within our system. Songs will be performed in a final showcase at Art to Change the World headquarters. This project aims to create a model for a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive songwriting collaboration project between professional songwriters and formerly incarcerated individuals, that results in catharsis as well as a product that can invoke social reform. The long-term goal is to eventually adapt this workshop model into a program that can be implemented in actual prisons.

This project is being run by Art to Change the World intern Zoe Grigsby, who has a deep connection to this topic. In the fall of 2023, Zoe experienced a traumatizing event in which she was abused by the Minneapolis police department and wrongfully jailed. In the aftermath of the incident, she turned to songwriting as her main coping mechanism, and has since written multiple songs about freedom, resistance, and her experience in jail. As a songwriter, she strongly believes in the power of music as not only a vehicle for social reform, but as a therapeutic tool to help cope with personal and societal pain. When conceptualizing this project, Zoe knew she wanted to create something powerful, that could heal people, and shed light on stories from people that often go unheard. But she can’t do it without your help!

What your contribution is used for:

Art to Change the World believes in fairly compensating artists for their work. Your contribution goes towards the following:

As an arts nonprofit, we count on community, crowdfunding, and mutual aid. At the end of the day, all we have is each other. Especially in the year 2025, when arts funding is being universally slashed, we must lean on each other for contributions and support. Every donation, no matter how small, is extremely significant in creating arts programming to make a lasting impact on the world around us. One small act of kindness creates a ripple that can turn into a wave of lasting change.

For more information, or to get involved, email Zoe at [email redacted]

Hi, I’m BECCA DAVID, and I’m reaching out to you today to support the incredible work of Art To Change The World, Inc. This organization is dedicated to harnessing creativity for positive change in our communities. Their mission inspires and empowers

individuals to express themselves through art, making a lasting impact on society.

Your donations will help fund an annual showcase that features a juried art exhibition, short films by students of Minnesota College of Art and Design and an original songwriter showcase and the Songs of resistance (an intern project which empowers the formerly incarcerated to create original songs of resistance).

Your contribution makes a real difference in the lives of many. Thank you for your support!