Creative Impact for Change believes in the transformative power of connecting. We believe that art and creativity are tools to inspire, educate, and engage.
Below are some of the ways we practice.
Why taiko?
TAIKO is the Japanese word for 'drum' and has existed in Japanese culture for thousands of years. Taiko came to the US with early immigrants and took root as an art form though cultural festivals, Buddhist spiritual practices, and the work of Japanese and Asian American activists of the '70's. Combined with other forms of expression the taiko is a powerful tool for individual and community empowerment.
OLDER & BOLDER
Older and Bolder is a visibility campaign and community impact project that aims to cultivate and elevate the voice of elders in the City of Boston
Re-Imagining A New World:
Building Practices of
Awareness, Activism and Anti-Racism
as a Taiko Community
RE-IMAGINING A NEW WORLD was a series of virtual gatherings over the span of 4 weeks in the summer of 2020, made urgent by the COVID-19 pandemic and the BLM, anti-racism movement. The program welcomed participants to join in a virtual practice to address racism, anti-blackness, systemic oppression and activism together as a Taiko Community. 23 taiko thought leaders facilitated unique topics that were personally relevant and authentic to each of them.
Tsuru-min Taiko - A Tsuru for Solidarity Gathering
Tsuru-min Taiko will be a gathering of 100 taiko players and drums in Washington, DC on June 6, 2020 as one element of the National Pilgrimage to Close the Camps, now being organized by Tsuru for Solidarity (TFS). Taiko players from around the country will line the march route down The Mall at pre-selected stations to provide inspiration and encouragement to the marchers (similar to stations along a marathon), culminating in a rally and presentation of 125,000 Tsuru either at the White House or the Washington Monument, with taiko playing at the site to unite and arouse those attending and to serve notice to those in power that we must #StopRepeatingHistory. Learn more at www.tsuruforsolidarity.org.
Organizing Team:
Stan Shikuma/Seattle
Courtney Ozaki/Denver
Mark H Rooney/Washington DC
Karen Young/Boston
Due to COVID19 this entire action went virtual.
For two days, we brought together 1,000 registered attendees, 15,000 viewers, nearly 250,000 tsuru, seven direct actions, 22 healing circles for change and dozens of artists, organizations, and activists. We gathered as a community toward transformative solidarity.
Women and Taiko
Increasing the visibility of women in the art form
Taiko & Community
“Teaching taiko isn’t just about teaching people to be with a drum, but teaching them how to be ‘good people’ through the use of music and art.” – Karen Young
