Or, The Role of Artist as Prosocial Actor in the World and on the Internet

Sharing work into the ether carries little meaning unless it leads to real, human connections. But finding ways to meaningfully engage and collaborate with other people online can be surprisingly challenging. Creative Commons and Rhizome join forces to figure out what can be done to design for and facilitate behavior that is prosocial -- that is, behavior that leads to positive, productive interactions.

Prosocial behavior hinges on seeing the humanity in those with whom we interact. How do we humanize people we communicate with online? How do we slow down enough to act deliberately and with care? How do we infuse more accountability and appreciation into digital spaces?

These questions apply to everyone with a digital life, but for this conversation, we are interested in the role artists, designers, and arts organizations can play to help craft online spaces that foster prosocial behavior -- especially those that bridge one’s digital life with the physical.

Zachary Kaplan, Executive Director of Rhizome, and Jane Park, Director of Platforms & Partnerships of Creative Commons, will facilitate an open, hour-long conversation with artists and researchers, including:

• Caroline Sinders, Digital Artist, BuzzFeed/Eyebeam Open Labs Fellow, Anti-harassment researcher at Wikipedia

• Michael Mandiberg, Artist working at the intersection of technology and social change, Professor of Media Culture at the College of Staten Island/CUNY, Co-founder of the Art+Feminism Wikipedia

• Caroline Woolard, Artist and founder of cultural equity platforms BFAMFAPhD.com and StudyCollaboration.com, Assistant Professor of Sculpture at the University of Hartford

Space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve your spot. Refreshments will be provided.

This event is part of Creative Commons’ prosocial conversation series.

Image: TheEntities by LastHuckleBerry / CC BY-NC-ND