We are a vibrant network of artists and organizations committed to advancing racial and cultural justice through the arts.

Photo credits

Envision a world in which:

  • artists have greater power and resources for meaningful, sustainable careers;
  • strong networks maximize their collective wisdom, resources and leadership;
  • cultural infrastructure reflects deeper partnerships and more equitable practices;
  • and communities have greater opportunity and capacity for civic engagement, representation and joy.
  • Learn more about us and our mission
Photo: ReVUE, Sidra Bell Dance New York, credit: Mariana Sheppard
Photo: Closer, Sean Smuda, courtesy of the artist
Photo: The School for the Movement of the Technicolor People, taisha paggett, credit: Lynn Lane

Mixed
Metaphor

A Liberatory Infrastructure Toolkit for Arts & Culture Organizations

Leveraging a Network for Equity's (LANE) Mixed Metaphor Liberatory Infrastructure toolkit is made for people who believe culture is the fulcrum of social change, and who care about co-creating equitable and liberated processes around leadership and organizations. It includes a workbook and a learning deck tool.

Explore LANE's Mixed Metaphor

A spiral-bound LANE workbook sits against a brown background with swirly and speckled detailing. The cover of this workbook places the words 'Mixed Metaphor: A Liberatory Infrastructure Toolkit for Arts and Culture Organizations' between an illustration of two dark and medium-brown skinned people holding hands with their eyes closed. The sun sets between their canyon-textured bodies. The colorful LANE tarot deck is splayed out to the workbook’s left, with the topmost card showing the word 'Emergence' amidst a deep fuchsia background decorated with cyan accents as well as sparkling jellyfish, coral, and sea anemones. Above this deck float the same words from the workbook, large and titular. The LANE logo is stamped on the bottom left.

VOICES FROM THE NETWORK

// Stories of Art and Liberation

Off the Record: Acts of Restorative Justice

Off the Record: Acts of Restorative Justice is a theatrical intervention that changes lives. James Scruggs will work with community participants who have a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony in their past to legally expunge or seal their criminal records, while telling their stories, onstage and off.

Building Beauty with Spy Boy Walter

Here in the Masking culture of New Orleans, our expression of freedom comes from sewing and building suits made of thousands of rhinestones, beads, and feathers. Tribal members sew large and small stories and designs year-round to create their expressions of freedom for Mardi Gras Day, St. Joseph’s Night, and Super Sunday.

Call to Remember

Leslie Parker Dance Project Call to Remember exploring Black pedagogy, artistry, and activism in dance Call to Remember (work-in-process).mp4 from National Performance Network Call to…

Moral Documents and Enforcement Tools: Modeling Equitable Contracting

Creating New Futures:Contracts Working Group Moral Documents and Enforcement Tools Modeling Equitable Contracting Jonathan Allen, Interruption 203, Borough Hall subway station, April 17, 2020. Paint…

View all

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcing the Spring 2023 Development Fund Awardees

May 16

A new Liberatory Infrastructure toolkit from LANE

Apr 10

In Support of Drag Performance: Performing Arts Alliance Statement

Apr 5

Announcing the Southern Artists for Social Change Cohort 3

Mar 22

View more News & Announcements

Subscribe

Get the latest on events, stories, opportunities, and projects from across the network.

!
Subscribe now
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Your personal data will be managed respectfully and responsibly, in accordance with our privacy policy.

How to Get Involved

Annual Conference

Last year’s conference

  • Watch our 2022 Annual Conference Keynote Panels!

Access to NPN's network and programs

  • National Partners
  • New Orleans Partners
  • New Partner Selection Process
  • Fiscal Sponsorship
  • Artists
Photo: Agua Furiosa, Ana Maria Alvarez / CONTRA-TIEMPO, credit: Steve Wylie

Donate to NPN

By choosing to donate to NPN today, you are supporting artists working in nearly 100 communities around the country.

Thank you for your contribution.

Select an amount

$100
$50
$5
Other

Note: Secure online donations will be completed along with additional options available on the next page.

Agua Furiosa, Ana María Alvarez / CONTRA-TIEMPO. Photo: Steve Wylie.

NPN receives generous support from: