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What's a Commons?: The Philosophy and Practice of Commoning

HowlRound Theatre Commons was founded in a belief of the commons, "'a new way to express a very old idea—that some forms of wealth belong to all of us, and that these community resources must be actively protected and managed for the good of all.' Put simply, the commons is a community- stewarded resource that can be environmental, digital, or even shared knowledge." HowlRound is a digital knowledge commons and our community is YOU. The following pieces highlight the philosophy and practice of the commons.

A group of theatre artists sitting around a conference table with a projector screen in the background.
The Promise of the Commons
Essay

The Promise of the Commons

10 October 2019

In honor of World Commons Week 2019, a working group of eleven US-based arts and cultural makers share their vision on how adopting a commons-based approach can help transform the arts into a more equitable and just field.

14 panelists and speakers headshots.
Center for Cultural Innovation's inaugural AmbitioUS convening
center for cultural innovation logo.
Center for Cultural Innovation
Video

Center for Cultural Innovation's inaugural AmbitioUS convening

Encouraging alternative economies and a fresh social contract for artists and cultural anchors

Wednesday 23 October 2019
Oakland, California

Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) presented the inaugural AmbitioUS convening encouraging the development of burgeoning alternative economies and a fresh social contract in ways that artists and cultural anchors can achieve financial freedom. Livestreamed from Oakland, California on the commons-based peer produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 23 October 2019 at 8:30 a.m. PDT (Oakland, UTC -7) / 10:30 a.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC -5) / 11:30 a.m. EDT (New York, UTC -4) / 15:30 UTC +0 / 4:30 p.m. BST (London, UTC +1) / 17:30 CEST (Berlin, UTC +2).

orange swirl under black book title free fair and alive
Power of the Commons with David Bollier
howlround logo
HowlRound Theatre Commons
Emerson College
Engagement Lab @ Emerson College
Center for Economic Democracy
Video

Power of the Commons with David Bollier

at Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts

Monday 30 September 2019
Boston, Massachusetts

HowlRound Theatre Commons and Emerson College's Engagement Lab presented The Power of the Commons with author David Bollier livestreaming on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network on Monday 30 September at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco, UTC-5) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago, UTC-5) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York, UTC-4).

a person speaking in front of a standing and applauding audience
Building a Future on Our Terms
Essay

Building a Future on Our Terms

The Latinx Theatre Commons Announces Four Years of Programming

17 December 2019

Armando Huipe, new Latinx Theatre Commons producer, announces the next four years of programming which include the Creative Renewal Retreat, a Comedy Carnaval, and furthering the internal work of anti-oppression, coalition building, and combating colorism.

a group of people
How to Model a Healthier Professional Culture That Benefits Marginalized Artists and Administrators
Essay

How to Model a Healthier Professional Culture That Benefits Marginalized Artists and Administrators

1 May 2019

Carl(os) Roa offers thoughts on how organizations can create healthier workspaces, weaving in ideas from artists at Philadelphia Young Playwrights and Applied Mechanics.