Artists Push Causes with Revolutions Per Minute
Non-profit Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) was created in 2005 by artists wanting to cultivate potent activism, including the likes of Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and The Beastie Boys.
Their mission: "A non-profit agency that provides artists with strategy and support for their activism and philanthropy.”
RPM's activist strategies cover a range of topics, from disaster relief to sustainability projects, artist labs to effective social media. Their free handbook "Strategies That Move: A handbook for artist activism and philanthropy" (which should be required reading in music programs) details how to incorporate advocacy into art.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, RPM has also hit some "Major Effing Milestones!" like raising over $30,000 for Nepalese aid, giving out over $2 million in aid to date, facilitating activism with more than 1,300 artists.
RPM's activist strategies cover a range of topics, from disaster relief to sustainability projects, artist labs to effective social media. Their free handbook "Strategies That Move: A handbook for artist activism and philanthropy" (which should be required reading in music programs) details how to incorporate advocacy into art.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, RPM has also hit some "Major Effing Milestones!" like raising over $30,000 for Nepalese aid, giving out over $2 million in aid to date, facilitating activism with more than 1,300 artists.
Music has a long history of being a key tool in inciting cultural change, from Woody Guthrie's protest music (Happy Birthday, Woody!) to today's feminist stars like Beyonce, T-Swift and Miley.
RPM's latest focus has been the tragic Charleston shooting, providing artists with information and ways to help, along with social media examples (to copy/paste/edit) to help spread the word. RPM also is always open to discussing more ways artists can get involved with causes close to their hearts.
If you're interested in RPM's work, contact them or donate to their cause (every dollar donated turns into $2.60 contributed).