Meet the Team Behind: RuckusRoots

Ruckus Roots uses art as activism to help people and the planet. With art-based programs that cultivate environmental action, RuckusRoots inspires people of all ages to harness creativity to bring communities together and fight the climate crisis. Learn more here! 

What is the inspiration behind RuckusRoots?

The arts have always been at the forefront of monumental societal shifts, building empathy, understanding and bridging the gap between problems and solutions. But, accessible artistic programming is lacking in the communities we serve. Simultaneously, these communities are disproportionately and negatively impacted by environmental injustices like litter, pollution, and lack of green spaces. Our programs offer art making as an essential tool to address these injustices, making it our goal to foster inspired, empowered, and engaged citizens through interactive art making.

Who are your programs for? 

Our collaborative arts programs strive to uncover challenges facing communities through meaningful connection and engagement. We work in public, charter, and alternative schools to help students build artistic skills, community connection, environmental awareness, waste diversion, and creative confidence. Our versatile and adaptable programs offer interactive, sustainable arts opportunities for elementary and middle school students. In the last year, we’ve worked with thousands of youth and adults across six areas, helping the environment and sparking creativity along the way. 

Can you tell me about your unique programs?

Trashformation is our flagship program that turns community-generated waste into collaborative art installations. Since 2011, Trashformation has converted over 25,000 pieces of trash into art. Chimes for Change is an art, music, and technology program that empowers teens to chime in about how and why they want to create change. By combining visual arts with wildlife education, Wild Art allows students to creatively express themselves and connect to nature in LA. Our ALIVE program— Art Living in Vibrant Environments— is an intersectional program encompassing environmental and creative justice through micro-farms, native ecology, and art making. 

What kind of work do you do with broader communities?

Our community programs offer opportunities for all ages to connect with the arts in nature. As one-time pop-ups for multi-week offerings, our multigenerational workshops harness the power of creative refuse and art making to foster engagement. Our Garden Magic class emphasizes creative projects that build climate resilience through education, awareness, and action. In the From Earth to Art series, participants learn about the climate crisis through hands-on activities that are rooted in ancient art forms. We also host free public art workshops for all ages, blending sustainable art making with civic action and conservation education from local artists and experts.