Special Event

SVA Library has planned a series of events that highlight actions that anyone can take to be an active participant in democracy. Being an active political agent doesn't just mean attending marches and rallies - there are many other ways to advocate for and express your beliefs. Please RSVP to individual events at the links below.

Captured Film Screening and Q&A with Clayton Patterson
Wednesday, March 15, 2:30 – 4:30pm
24th Street Residence, 340 East 24th Street, media room
Since 1979, Clayton Patterson has dedicated his life to documenting the final era of raw creativity and lawlessness in New York City's Lower East Side, a neighborhood famed for art, music and revolutionary minds. Patterson will introduce the film and hold a Q&A. RSVP here.

Designing Resistance: How to Create and Distribute Political Art & Design
Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 – 9:00pm
SVA Library, 380 2nd Avenue, 2nd floor
Volunteers from the Interference Archive will talk about their popular propaganda parties and discuss how independent artists and designers can collaborate with community organizations to create and distribute material that conveys a political message. After the discussion, participants will work through the process of imagining and planning a propaganda party, discussing the factors that breed community involvement in production and distribution, and putting their hands to work at creating designs or drafting ideas. RSVP here.

CryptoParty
Thursday, March 16, 7:00 – 9:00pm
SVA Library, 380 2nd Avenue, 2nd Floor
CryptoParty is a decentralized movement with events happening all over the world. The goal is to pass on knowledge about protecting yourself in the digital space. This can include encrypted communication, preventing being tracked while browsing the web and general security advice for computers and smartphones. This session will focus on personal digital security and operational security for activism and direct action. Bring your smartphone, laptop or other mobile device. RSVP here.

Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
Saturday, March 18, 12:30 – 5:00pm
SVA Library, 380 2nd Avenue, 2nd floor
An Edit-a-thon is a community organized event that aims to teach folks how to edit, update and add articles on Wikipedia. Less than 10% of contributors to Wikipedia identify as female. Our main purpose is to contribute and amend meaningful content to the Wikipedia. People of all gender identities and expressions are invited to participate. The organizers of Art+Feminism are deeply disturbed by the sheer amount of fake news on social media and its influence on the recent U.S. election. We believe this makes our work even more pressing. Now more than ever we must gather together to improve Wikipedia and affirm work of women, people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized peoples. RSVP here.

Resist & Record: Activist Films from the Modern Era of Protest
Monday, March 20, 6:00 – 9:00pm
MFA Social Documentary Film Theater, 136 West 21st Street, 1st floor
MFA Social Documentary Film presents a program of activist films from the modern era of protest. As we all work to shine a light on the social ills that surround us and strive to make a difference, SocDoc students turn their cameras on. See some of the work we’ve made surrounding the last few months of protest: Standing Rock, Women’s March, Yemeni Bodega Strike, Funeral for the Presidency and the general tenor of resistance. We’ll also screen sneak peeks of other films to inspire our appetite for action. Revolution, tea and cookies to follow. RSVP here.

Voices of Resistance: Poetry Reading
Tuesday, March 21, 7:00 – 9:00pm
SVA Library, 380 2nd Avenue, 2nd floor
Four prominent New York City poets, Patricia Spears Jones, Lydia Cortes, Sheila Maldonado and Bakar Wilson, share their work and experiences. RSVP here.

Game Night: Innovation for Social Change
Friday, March 24, 5:00 – 7:30pm
SVA Library, 380 2nd Avenue, 2nd floor
Game play sessions developed and facilitated by Design for Social Innovation students, as well as a brief discussion exploring games as a vehicle for civic engagement and social change. RSVP here.