Summary

Weather Report: The Art & Activism Forecast from Minneapolis

In this episode, we kick off a new Change the Story feature—The Weather Report—where we check in with creative change-makers across the country to get a pulse on how art and activism are faring in their communities.

First stop: Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Our guest is David O’Fallon, a longtime cultural leader with deep roots in the Twin Cities and beyond. From his early days with In the Heart of the Beast Theatre to leadership roles at the Kennedy Center, National Endowment for the Arts, and Minnesota Humanities Center, David brings a wide-angle lens to the intersection of arts, policy, and social change.

Together, we dig into how Minneapolis artists, activists, and community groups are navigating the storm—from the unresolved tensions of George Floyd Square to the challenges of rebuilding trust in the face of political upheaval and media manipulation. We talk about the power of creative communities to imagine and build new futures, the rebirth of the beloved May Day Parade, and an emerging movement to reclaim America’s story—on our terms.

Along the way, we hit on big themes: resistance, reckoning, and resurgence. How do artists and organizers hold space for healing and action? How do we keep showing up when systems are designed to wear us down? And what does it mean to embrace practical, tactical, coalition-building work—without getting lost in ideological purity?

David shares his work with a Black-led healing and writing group in George Floyd Square, his thoughts on the political climate’s impact on the arts, and a vision for a People’s Celebration of America in 2026, where all voices, all stories, and all struggles get their due.

This is about more than survival—it’s about finding the creative, collective courage to build what’s next.

👉 Listen in, and let’s get to work.

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🎧 Next up: We head to Massachusetts for another Weather Report—so stay tuned.

Takeaways:

Top Takeaways from This Episode

1. Art as a Tool for Social Change – In Minneapolis, artists and activists continue to use creativity to respond to political and cultural turmoil, demonstrating that art is both a means of expression and a force for resistance and healing.

2. The Legacy of George Floyd Square – The community remains in deep tension, navigating unresolved challenges while creating spaces for dialogue, healing, and storytelling.

3. Media & Misinformation Challenges – Local news outlets have been dominated by conservative media conglomerates, making it harder for communities to access diverse perspectives and truthful reporting.

4. The Return of the May Day Parade – Once an iconic Minneapolis tradition, the parade is being revived by a new, diverse coalition of organizers, showing the resilience of community-led cultural events.

5. Building the America That Must Be – Instead of accepting a narrow, exclusionary vision of American identity, communities must take ownership of their own narratives—leading to efforts like a People’s Celebration of America in 2026.

6. Practical Activism Over Purity – Movements don’t have to be perfect to be effective. The key is to focus on action, coalition-building, and local organizing rather than ideological disagreements.

7. Show Up & Keep Showing Up – Long-term social change...