Evan Bissell

About

Evan Bissell facilitates participatory art and research projects that support equitable systems and liberatory processes. With groups around the country, he has supported the development of curriculum, public art, laws, books, and convenings that build imagination, power and capacity around the just transition, anti-prison and police efforts, housing justice, and health equity, among others. Evan is the founder of Another World Exists (AWE), a multi-sector gathering and action space for artists, organizers, cultural strategists, researchers, policy heads, technical practitioners, healers and others. Evan created the Arts & Cultural Strategy initiative at the Othering & Belonging Institute and helped found Richmond LAND, the first community land trust in Contra Costa county. He holds a master’s in Public Health and City Planning from UC Berkeley and a BA in Painting and Ethnic Studies from Wesleyan University. He lives in Berkeley, California, the unceded lands of the Lisjan Ohlone (#giveshuumi) and is a constantly humbled parent. (he/him)

Agenda

Apr

Cultural Equity & Operationalizing Belonging: Recent Efforts from Oakland

In 2018, Oakland's Cultural Affairs Division released a cultural development plan guided by the framework that, "Equity is the driving force. Culture is the Frame. Belonging is the goal." In this panel, we'll hear from artists and City staff about how arts and culture have been core to operationalizing belonging in Oakland through building resident capacity for self-governance, creating networks of care and capacity, and shaping City practice and policy to address systemic Othering. The panel will highlight some of the key initiatives that have supported this work and will identify some of the...