In this episode of The Response, we hear from Jordan Seaberry, co-director of the US Dept of Arts and Culture (USDAC). In addition to being a working artist and a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, he has built a career as a grassroots organizer and legislative advocate, helping to pass multiple criminal justice reform milestones, including probation reform, the Unshackling Pregnant Prisoners Bill, and the statewide Community-Police Relationship Act. 

And that's just a small example of his organizing and mutual aid experience.

We discuss the genesis of the US Department of Arts and Culture, the role of artists during fascism, and how to bring movement organizers and artists together to drive culture shifts.

About Jordan Seaberry

Jordan Seaberry is a painter, organizer, legislative advocate and educator. He is also the co-director of the US Department of Arts and Culture. Learn more about Jordan and view his work here.

Resources:

• US Department of Arts and Culture
• Vital Conversations series: "The Role of the Artist During Fascism" (Comic)
• Artists and Cultural Workers Against Authoritarianism Workshop recording and resources
• Tool Libraries, Mutual Aid & Community-led Disaster Response (Tue, Oct 21st 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT)
• Mutual Aid 101: Navigating Conflict w/ Dean Spade (Thu, Nov 20th 2025 at 3:00 PM EDT)
• Mutual Aid 101 Toolkit from Shareable

Episode credits:

• Hosted and executive produced by Tom Llewellyn
• Produced and edited by Paige Kelly
• Theme Music by Cultivate Beats

Follow The Response on Twitter and Instagram for updates, memes, and more. Our entire catalog of documentaries and interviews can be found at theresponsepodcast.org — or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Response is an award-winning podcast series produced by Shareable exploring how communities respond to disaster — from hurricanes to wildfires to reactionary politics and more.

Want to help spread the word? Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify — it makes a huge difference in reaching new people who may otherwise not hear about this show.