Programs

Citizen University Programs

Gather with a Common Purpose

Civic Saturday

In a time of deep anxiety, disconnectedness, and political polarization, people need a place to come together in civic community—in a room, face-to-face—to reflect on and rededicate ourselves to the values and practices of being a contributing member of civic life within the United States. Civic Saturday began in Seattle, and is now in over 30 cities across the country.

Civic Saturday is a civic analogue to a faith gathering. It gathers friends and strangers together to nurture a spirit of shared purpose. At the gathering we connect around the values and practices of being an active citizen, reckon with and reflect on our nation’s creed, and build relationships that create new civic traditions that are joyful and communal.

Learn more & attend

Upcoming Civic Saturday Gatherings

More opportunities to gather coming soon!

Watch our most recent Civic Saturday: A Coalition for Democracy 

Watch our recent Virtual Civic Saturdays on Youtube!

January 16, 2021 • Virtual Civic Saturday
Watch on Youtube

August 8, 2020 • Virtual Civic Saturday
Watch on Youtube

May 2, 2020 • Virtual Civic Saturday with Wendy Willis
Watch on Youtube

April 25, 2020 • Virtual Civic Saturday with Shamichael Hallman
Watch on Youtube
The Myth of Normalcy by Brooke Sarden

Read Eric Liu’s recent sermons from Citizen University led Civic Saturday gatherings.

Liberate America, delivered April 18, 2020 via livestream

The Morals in Our Stories, delivered March 28, 2020 via livestream

Oaths of Commitment, delivered January 25, 2020 in Seattle, WA

 

2019 Civic Sermons

2018 Civic Sermons

2017 Civic Sermons

2016 Civic Sermons

photo credit Alan Alabastro

Preparing Citizens to Lead

Civic Saturday Fellowship

The Civic Saturday Fellowship is a nine-month program that begins with Civic Seminary, a four-day training in Seattle that fellows attend with a cohort of other motivated community leaders from around the country. In the following months, fellows will plan and hold three Civic Saturdays in their community. Fellows have spread Civic Saturday gatherings to every corner of the US, bringing a deeper sense of civic spirit to their communities.

 

Learn More & Apply

Empowering the Rising Generation

Youth Collaboratory

The Youth Collaboratory is a year-long program to empower and connect a rising generation of civic leaders and doers.

Two dozen highly motivated students from around the country will join Citizen University to learn how civic power works, design their own Power Projects, and network with civic changemakers from across the country.

Over the course of a year, you’ll build skills and relationships that will help you build civic power over your lifetime.

 

Learn More & Apply
Past Participants

What is civic power? Who has it, how can you build it, and how do you use it to make positive change happen in your community? The Youth Collaboratory aims to bring together 24 highly-motivated high school students who are excited to dive into these questions, and give them the ideas, resources, and connections to not only build but circulate power in their schools and hometowns.

Over the nine months of the program, students will travel to cities from around the nation, meet leading civic innovators from across the country, and put these ideas into action through the development of a personal Power Projects.

Interested? If you’d like to apply to the Youth Collaboratory, you can add your name to the interest list to be notified when applications in the fall of 2021.

Participants of the Youth Collaboratory have come from all over the United States, representing every region of the country with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Here is some of what they had to say about the Youth Collaboratory:

“The highlight was getting to connect to people in the successful, professional world and talk to them about the issues and projects that they’re working on. It’s really inspiring.”

“I was shocked at the space we created, that we allowed each other to feel safe expressing our opinions and views.”

“I was so pleased to be welcomed into a group that taught me how to be the best civic version of myself that I could be.”

Developing Ourselves & Democracy

Citizen Redefined

In the Citizen Redefined program, teenagers engage in self-reflection, reckon with moral tensions in American history, make sense of the current state of our democracy, and develop the skills, confidence, and conviction to live as responsible citizens. A culminating Civic Confirmation rite-of-passage ceremony marks their movement into civic adulthood!

Citizen University is training adults to form and facilitate these small groups of young people as they develop their identities as citizens.

Learn more & Apply

Sworn-Again America Oath

I pledge to be an active American
to show up for others
to govern my self
to help govern my community
I recommit myself to my country’s creed
to cherish liberty as a responsibility

I pledge to serve and to push my county
when right, to be kept right;
when wrong to be set right
Wherever my ancestors and I were born
I claim America
and I pledge to live like a citizen

A National Network of Leaders

Civic Collaboratory

The Civic Collaboratory is a national network of catalytic leaders from across the political spectrum and many domains —immigrant rights, veterans advocacy, civics education, voting reform, tech in government, arts and culture, worker organizing, corporate citizenship, and more. We meet quarterly and provide a common platform and project incubator for this diverse community of civic innovators.

 

An oath for all

Sworn-Again America

What does it mean to be an American — and how do we live like a citizens? Inspired by the naturalization oath for immigrants, we created this oath as a way for every one of us to experience the urgency, the solemnity, yet also the utter joy of choosing citizenship actively. Thousands of people across the country have taken the oath, in ceremonies large and small, to become Sworn-Again Americans— and you can too!

See the Oath

Sworn-Again America Oath

I pledge to be an active American
to show up for others
to govern my self
to help govern my community
I recommit myself to my country’s creed
to cherish liberty as a responsibility

I pledge to serve and to push my country
when right, to be kept right;
when wrong to be set right
Wherever my ancestors and I were born
I claim America
and I pledge to live like a citizen

Lessons in Civic Power

Citizen University TV

Our award-winning show that ran from 2016-2018 offers lessons in how to be an effective, change-making citizen. Every episode features case studies of leadership in action and breaks down the elements of civic power.

Watch

Reinvigorating a Culture of Voting

Joy of Voting

Parades, street theatre, open-air debates, and festivals – these were once part of America’s culture of voting. Between 2016 and 2018, we partnered with artists, activists, designers, and citizens in eight cities around the country to launch initiatives to create creative, communal experiences and rituals around local voting.

 

Video & Photos
Toolkit

Deriving its vision from an article in The Atlantic written by Eric Liu, Citizen University launched initiatives in eight cities where Knight invests to generate creative celebrations and joyful public rituals that encourage people to vote. Citizen University piloted the program in four cities for the November 2016 general election, continued in three more for local elections in 2017, and wrapped up in four additional cities for the 2018 midterms. Projects included independent art exhibits, block parties, community-based theater, interactive apps, and other citizen-generated activities centered around engaging peers. These experiments served as models of what a vibrant, participatory culture of voting could look like. 

Click below to learn all about the projects!

2016 projects 

2017 Projects

2018 Projects

Photos from 2018 events here.

Photos from 2017 projects here.

Photos from 2016 projects here.

 

 

 

 

 

Want to create your own Joy of Voting project? Check out our Joy of Voting Toolkit for more information and all our tips for making a great project!

Akron Projects

The North Hill Diversity and Freedom Mural Project, led by Asian Services in Akron, invited individuals of all ethnic and religious backgrounds to help create a mural representing a diverse neighborhood and the freedom that voting provides to communities of color.  The Big Love Network built excitement around voting with a two step approach: first instigating a parade for youths and musicians to spread the word about registration and voting, and then following up with a “Souls to the Polls” Party where voters were educated about issues and action items.  MA’Sue Productions’ “Street Theatre Attack” staged a game show around town, asking Akronians “Who wants to vote?!”  Wandering Aesthetics hosted the debate of the century — a Battle Royale for the Heart of Democracy. The hour-long debates showed off a range of comedic techniques — from slapstick to clowning — to engage viewers and build conversation around a central question: “Should I vote?” Get all the gritty details on the  Battle Royale website. Members of the W.O.M.B. community garden invited community members to join them for Plotting Your Vote: food, music, art, and storytelling in the garden! Activities included cooking demonstrations, Expression Lounge/Open mic opportunities, and the creation of a large cross stitch mural. 

Charlotte Projects

The Southeast Asian Coalition’s (SEAC) characteristic “turn up” style party took place near the city’s early voting sites. Attendees could turn-up with Viet coffee and Thai tea, then learn all about local candidates political issues from SEAC members. The October 28 event focused on educating and engaging Mecklenburg County’s Southeast Asian voters.  At the October 11 Get-Out-the-Student-Vote-Festival, the 49er Democracy Experience educated, engaged, and registered to vote members of the UNC Charlotte student body. While festival-goers enjoyed food, games, and musical performances from UNC Charlotte groups, local government officials and candidates made themselves available for conversations and questions!  Hannah Hasan and her group Epoch Tribe will host a “Vote So Hard” Open Mic Experience that celebrates voting through live performances that span the artistic spectrum, from visual to performance culinary — all by local creatives and all centered around the theme of civic engagement. The experience is going down on Saturday, October 20th at Warehouse 242. Learn more about the project on the Vote So Hard website.  For its inaugural Brews & Ballots event, The Millennial Voice of Mecklenburg County invited their peers to share beers with local political candidates at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. You could chat with candidates and get your election-related questions answered over a complimentary beer!  Lisette Torres, Dammit Wesley, and Carlos Lebron’s community event “One Nation Under a Groove,” at Charlotte’s Camp North, featured unique pieces by local artists, simulations of voting booths for kids or new voters, a photo booth, information on the history of voting, a historically-rooted fashion show with outfits made from recycled materials — and more!

Grand Forks Projects

ArtNestND invited high school students to create unique “I voted” stickers. Following the open contest, organizers selected seven unique designs — one to be used at each of the seven polling locations in Grand Forks. The Global Friends Coalition and New Flavors Food Truck held three events to celebrate citizenship and demonstrate the pathway toward its pinnacle: voting. Voting123, held in neighborhoods where new Americans live or go to school, were inclusive block parties with food trucks, entertainment, and hands-on education.  Want to vote in style? Robin David’s “Party to the Polls” project offered Grand Forks residents the opportunity to get a ride to their polling place aboard a party bus. The busses offered snacks, activities, and a celebrity host, and the rides gave voters the chance to socialize and debate with co-workers before casting their ballot.  The Young Invincibles hosted four large celebrations — three during early voting and one on Election Day — at spots around town located near polling locations. Attendees enjoyed free food and entertainment with fellow civically-minded Grand Forkeans. The Digital Press at UND, led by professor Eric Burin, collected and shared favorite voting memories from Grand Forks residents. After gathering recollections from times of yore, the Press designed unique representations for each one and added them to their publication. Check out the Digital Press’s JoV website to see all the stories!

West Palm Beach Projects

Using art and entertainment from the West African tradition, Afrique Ngozi Dance & Drum’s Art in Public Places event shared materials and information about the history and importance of voting. The one-time creative spectacular took place at CityPlace on October 7.  The Boys & Girls Clubs in West Palm Beach (the Marjorie Fisher Boys & Girls Club and the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club) will each host two family fiestas before Election Day — each one featuring catered meals, DJs and entertainment, mock election games,  and “ I CAN VOTE! “ selfie studio, an interactive presentation on the voting process, and gift raffles. “Red, White, and Bowl,” hosted by Comic Cure, was a family-friendly series of three events that promoted participation in the midterm elections by registering, informing, and empowering local residents to vote. Guests got a chance to bowl against locally elected officials, and prizes and trophies were awarded to bowling champions, skee-ball extraordinaires, and election-themed “Trivia Bowl” winners.  Jumping jacks! The Flamingo Clay Studio created jumping jack puppets (two-times life-size!) to spread the word about registering to vote and voting on Election Day! The jumping jacks made friends with their neighbors, threw parties, and made sure that party-goers had everything they needed to go vote!  The Palm Beach County Youth Foundation enjoyed an endor-able show as they elect our first Ewok president! The event featured a mock election with Ewok and Twi’lek voters, a candidate stump speech, diverse costumes, and Jawas at the ready for big trades with big voters. Community activist Claudia Mendoza introduced Zumbaton: a gathering of over 200 people exercising, dancing, and promoting civic engagement! Attendees received t-shirts with important messages so that the dancers behind them could learn while they exercise. The event was a space for the Hispanic community to come together and make their voices heard with others who want to engage with the local elections. 

This year the Joy of Voting project will be taking place in four cities around the country. Projects have kicked-off in Akron, Charlotte, Grand Forks, and West Palm Beach!

Akron

The North Hill Diversity and Freedom Mural Project, led by Asian Services in Akron, invites individuals of all ethnic and religious backgrounds to help create a mural representing a diverse neighborhood and the freedom that voting provides to communities of color. The Big Love Network will build excitement around voting with a two step approach: first instigating a parade for youths and musicians to spread the word about registration and voting, and then following up with a “Souls to the Polls” Party where voters can be educated about issues and action items. MA’Sue Productions’ “Street Theatre Attack” will stage a game show around town, asking Akronians “Who wants to vote?!” Look for them around town while you are out and and about!  Wandering Aesthetics will host the debate of the century — a battle royale for the heart of democracy. The hour-long debates will show-off a range of comedic techniques — from slapstick to clowning — to engage viewers and build conversation around a central question: “Should I vote?” The debates will take place once a week in the month leading up to the November mid-term elections, starting on October 6th at the Electric Pressure Cooker Cabaret. Members of the W.O.M.B. community garden invites community members to join them for food, music, art, and storytelling in the garden! Activities will include cooking demonstrations, Expression Lounge/Open mic opportunities, and the creation of a large cross stitch mural. The first gathering is September 30 and they happen every other Sunday until Election Day. 

Charlotte

The Southeast Asian Coalition’s (SEAC) characteristic “turn up” style party will take place near the city’s early voting sites. Come turn-up with Viet coffee and Thai tea, then learn all about local candidates political issues from SEAC members. The event will focus on educating and engaging Mecklenburg County’s Southeast Asian voters. The 49er Democracy Experience’s Get-Out-the-Student-Vote-Festival seeks to attract, educate, and involve the UNCC student body. While festival-goers enjoy food, games, and musical performances from UNCC groups, local government officials and candidates will be in attendance to chat and answer questions! They’ll be across from the UNCC student union building on October 11th, 10am – 2pm. Event details here.  Hannah Hasan and her group Epoch Tribe will host a “Vote So Hard” Open Mic Experience that celebrates voting through live performances that span the artistic spectrum, from visual to performance culinary — all by local creatives and all centered around the theme of civic engagement. The experience is going down on Saturday, October 20th at Warehouse 242.  For its inaugural Brews & Ballots event, The Millennial Voice of Mecklenburg County invites their peers to share beers with local political candidates at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Get your card signed by five politicians and receive a complimentary beer while you get your election-related questions answered!  Join them on Wednesday, October 17th.  Lisette Torres, Dammit Wesley, and Carlos Lebron’s community event “One Nation Under a Groove,” taking place at Charlotte’s Camp North, will feature unique pieces by local artists, simulations of voting booths for kids or new voters, a photo booth, information on the history of voting, a historically-rooted fashion show with outfits made from recycled materials — and more!  

Grand Forks

ArtNestND invites high school students to create unique “I voted” stickers. Following the open contest, organizers will select seven unique designs — one to be used at each of the seven polling locations in Grand Forks. The Global Friends Coalition and New Flavors Food Truck will hold three events to celebrate citizenship and demonstrate the pathway toward its pinnacle: voting. Voting123, held in neighborhoods where new Americans live or go to school, will be inclusive block parties with food trucks, entertainment, and hands-on education.  Want to vote in style? Robin David’s “Party to the Polls” project will offer Grand Forks residents the opportunity to get a ride to their polling place aboard a party bus. The busses will offer snacks, activities, and a celebrity host, as well as give voters the chance to socialize and debate with co-workers before casting their ballot. Register for a ride and get more details here!  The Young Invincibles will host four large celebrations — three during early voting and one on Election Day — at polling locations around town and on the UND campus. Enjoy free food and entertainment with fellow civically-minded Grand Forkeans! The Digital Press at UND, led by professor Eric Burin, will be soliciting, collecting, and sharing favorite voting memories from Grand Forks residents. After gathering recollections from times of yore, the Press will design unique representations for each one and add them to their publication. Look for one or two a day in the Press in the month leading up to Election Day!

West Palm Beach

Using art and entertainment from the West African tradition, Afrique Ngozi Dance & Drum’s Art in Public Places shared materials and information about the history and importance of voting. The one-time creative spectacular took place at CityPlace on October 7. The Boys & Girls Clubs in West Palm Beach (the Marjorie Fisher Boys & Girls Club and the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club) hosted two family fiestas — each one featuring catered meals, DJs and entertainment, mock election games,  an “ I CAN VOTE! “ selfie studio, an interactive presentation on the voting process, and gift raffles.  “Red, White, and Bowl,” hosted by Comic Cure, was a family-friendly series of three events that promoted participation in the midterm elections by registering, informing, and empowering local residents to vote. Guests got a chance to bowl against locally elected officials, and prizes and trophies were awarded to bowling champions, skee-ball extraordinaires, and election-themed “Trivia Bowl” winners.  Jumping jacks! The Flamingo Clay Studio created jumping jack puppets (two-times life-size!) to spread the word about registering to vote and voting on Election Day! The jumping jacks made friends with their neighbors, threw parties, and made sure that party-goers knew all about voting. The Palm Beach County Youth Foundation welcomed you to enjoy their endor-able show as they elected our first Ewok president! The event featured a mock election with Ewok and Twi’lek voters, a candidate stump speech, diverse costumes, and Jawas at the ready for big trades with big voters. Community activist Claudia Mendoza introduced Zumbaton: a gathering of over 200 people exercising, dancing, and promoting civic engagement! Attendees received t-shirts with important messages so that the dancers behind them could learn while they exercised. The events were a space for the Hispanic community to come together and make their voices heard with others who want to engage with the local elections.

These teams are bringing an active, joyful, participatory culture back to voting! Check back for more details.

St. Paul

 

Improv Comedy Mayoral Forum

The Theater of Public Policy  Join the Theater of Public Policy for a night of laughter and levity as the leading mayoral candidates answer questions and have their answers brought to life through unscripted improv comedy! The team will host “A St. Paul Mayoral Forum for the Rest of Us” on November 3rd at the North Garden Theater. Info here!

Wag the Vote

Arty Bark Park  Politics gone to the Dogs? Unleash democracy with Wag the Vote, a canine convergence to get out the vote to dog lovers all over St. Paul! Follow them on Facebook or Twitter to stay up-to-date with all their latest barks, and check out their website for the full story!

I Vote Because . . .

Concordia University St. Paul  Using conversation and photography, CSP College Students want to inspire their community to vote. Look for CSP students at light rail transit stations to share why YOU vote on a custom banner that says “I vote because  ____________.”

Street Puppet Theater

Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop  Look out for Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop on the streets of St. Paul while they spread the word through unique performances by their hand-crafted puppets! You find at the West Side Dia de los Muertos Celebration 2017 and other locations around town!

Miami

 

Get Out the Vote Parties

New Florida Majority Education Fund The New Florida Majority will host GOTV parties during the early voting period (October 28 – Novemver 5) in West Coconut Grove, Little Havana, Allapattah, Liberty City, and Little Haiti. Stop by to cast your vote and enjoy a lively gathering with BBQ, live music, media coverage, and educational handouts. Dates, times, locations, and info here!

Inside Joke

Comic Cure  Inside Joke with Host Billy Corben is a monthly late-night style entertainment show that humorously highlights important local issues and community change-makers in Miami. Filmed in font of a live audience, the show features interviews with local politicians and civic activists, with performances by local artists. Comic Cure hosted their hilarious premier episode on November 17th! You can see photos from the event on their Facebook page.

Fall Harvest Party to the Polls

Engage Miami  Hay rides and apple cider in Miami?!? That’s right!  Engage Miami’s fall harvest-themed party will feature live music, food, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, bobbing for apples, and mock elections for best costumes, best pumpkin carving, and more! Join them November 4th in Kennedy Park for a celebration of fall before heading to early vote. Event details here.

305 Yard Sign Project

Miami Dade College   So over divisive political yard signs? The 305 Yard Sign Project will use art to promote positive, values-driven civic engagement using colorful, personlized yard signs designed by local artists and students.

Your Ballot, Explained

The Plantain  The Plantain, Miami’s satire news source, is making a comedy news video focused on voting rights restoration for ex-felons, an initiative on this fall’s ballot. Keep a look out for the video to be released later this month!

Wichita

 

PopUp Celebration Station

League of Creative Interventionists   Ever dreamed of winning an election with a crowd cheering you on? With the pop-up Voting Celebration Station, you get to experience the joy of “winning the vote” on stage, with a crowd cheering your name and a microphone for you to share your own victory speech. Find the Pop Up Station at McAdams Neighborhood Freedom Fair on November 4th!

Canine Candidates

Sara Dixon & Stephanie Huff    Canine Candidates tackle issues ICT dogs face: from the new dog park to pesky squirrels. Vote on the pup with the passion to improve this city! Get the low-down on all the candidates and where you can find them here!

Breaking the Ballot

First Gen Woes  Add your narrative to this community conversation! First Gen Woes will host a spoken word contest for high school students at Mead’s Corner coffee shop downtown. Register here!

Sizzle and Soapbox

Episcopal Social Services  Let your voice be heard with a sizzle at the soapbox series this fall! ESS invites neighbors, activists, and public officials to get join their Soap Box series and share their thoughts around this year’s local elections. They will also host a voter registration poster contest to put the sizzle back into voting.

VoteICT

KMUW 89.1 FM   KMUW will work with local artists to create a series of ‘VoteICT’ wearable stickers. Get yours at a polling place or another Joy of Voting event, and show your local pride around this year’s municipal elections by sporting your unique ICT-specific sticker. Learn more.

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