On this episode of Cultura Conscious, Alyssa Machida discusses her motivation and inspiration for The Dreamspace Project, workbook and toolkit for educators who are ready to move beyond demanding social justice and are ready to take critical action. We talk about the ways institutions communicate to the public beyond the art on the walls, the need to acknowledge how we are building on work done by black women and people of color, and what the role of patience is when working within institutions to bring about change.

Alyssa Machida is a writer, artist, and educator based in Detroit, MI. She is currently an Interpretive Specialist at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Working at the intersections of art, education, and social justice, she is dedicated to building critical pedagogy and anti-oppressive frameworks into museum practice. When not in the museum, she can be found biking across Detroit, reading a book on the riverfront, relearning piano, or catching a live jazz show. To connect with Alyssa, please email her at dreamspaceworkbook@gmail.com.

Conversation Notes

Alyssa mentions an important idea that comes from legal academia and Critical Race Theory (or CRT). Interest convergence is one of the main concepts of CRT, and argues that White people will only accommodate and advance the interests of people of color when those interests converge with, and can serve to promote, the self-interests of White people themselves.

The Dreamspace Project Workbook: Highly recommend listeners look through the workbook before listening the episode. Some of the specifics in the conversation are found here.

The Danger of the "D" Word: Museums and Diversity by Porchia Moore

For questions or feedback contact Paula Santos at culturaconscious@gmail.com.