The Future We Share: Activism, Creativity, and Collective Imagination

Join us on April 4, 2025 for the Night of Ideas in Santa Cruz, a nocturnal celebration of art, philosophy, and activism! From solar energy and housing justice to communal music and movement, Night of Ideas – Santa Cruz invites you to explore interactive sessions on democracy, environmental solutions, and housing rights, as well as immersive experiences fostering embodied connection. With a Capoeira opening, sculptural performances, and live piano meditations, come create, move, and reflect on our shared future! The 2025 Program is below.

Night of Ideas, a global event taking place simultaneously in more than 100 countries and 22 cities in the United States, invites thought leaders, activists, performers, authors, and academics to engage the public in discussions around central questions that address major, contemporary global issues.

Taking place from March 27 through April 6, Night of Ideas returns this year with nocturnal arts and culture marathons in cities across the U.S. Events will feature late-night discussions addressing major global issues, plus live music, screenings, performances, and more, all centered this year’s theme, “common ground.” Exploring the expression’s literal and metaphorical interpretations, Night of Ideas will prompt participants to consider how we can commit to and protect what we have in common. How can we foster authentic interpersonal connection in an increasingly digital world? In a polarized political landscape, where are our opportunities for dialogue? As extreme weather threatens our planet, how can we preserve the land beneath our feet? Learn more and sign up for updates at nightofideas.org.

This event is brought to the public by the Center for Public Philosophy, with support from the Institute of the Arts and Sciences, The Humanities Institute, Cowell College, Humanities West, The Marc Sanders Foundation, Villa Albertine, and Institut français.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is required.

Night of Ideas 2025 Program

MAIN HALL

5pm: Brazilian Cultural Art of Capoeira

5:30pm: Welcome – Opening Remarks (J. Proust)

6:30pm: IAS Exhibition Walkthrough with Curator R. Nelson

7:30pm: Activating the EDELO exhibition (C. Duarte and YELO)

8pm: Piano Meditation/Sound Healing (E. Shanken)

8:30pm: What if We Moved as One? (B-Moving, B. Wittmer, with E. Shanken)

CONFERENCE ROOM (Room 1)

6 – 6:25pm: The Common Ground That Creates an Uncommon Good (G. Hammond)

7 – 7:25pm: Mind, Body and Tiktok Problem (J. Candray)

8 – 8:25pm: Common Ground, No Ground: Housing, Rights, and the Refusal to Disappear (J.Schendledecker)

WEST ROOM (Room 2)

6 – 6:25pm: Post-nonmonogamy and Poly-river-amory (K. TallBear)

7 – 7:25pm: Empowering the Solar Commons through Community Energy (R. Lipschutz, K. Milun, R. Stayton)

8 – 8:25pm: Understanding Through Play (Liminal Space Collective)

ONGOING

“Ask a Philosopher” booth (M. Mattinson, R. Kusyuniati, J. Read) & TEQ project

Melodies of Hope (El Sistema – I. Tuncer)

Speakers and Performers

This event will feature Kim TallBear, Caleb Duarte, Joy Schendledecker, Dr. Kathryn Milun, Dr. Ronnie D. Lipschutz, Robert Stayton, Liminal Space Collective, Juliet Candray, George Hammond, Brigitte Wittmer, Edhi Shanken, El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, Raízes do Brasil Capoeira and Brazilian Cultural Arts Center, Dr. Jeanne Proust, Rachel Nelson.

For more information about all guest speakers and performers visit: Night of Ideas 2025 — Institute of the Arts and Sciences