democracy in practice: a model assembly
Nov 19, 2025 7:00 PM
Working together, Bard College’s Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities, The People’s Creative Institute , and The Civic Engagement Commission, in collaboration with Powerhouse Arts, are excited to present “You Are Democracy: A Series on Collective Power,” a three-part event series focused on democracy beyond elections. This series has included a film screening, continues with this model civic assembly, and will conclude with celebratory reimagining of a public meeting.
Join the movement for deliberative democracy and learn how New Yorkers can have their voice heard at this immersive event where attendees step into the role of participants in a civic assembly, a growing practice where residents of a municipality come together to discuss issues in their community and arrive at practical solutions. Learn, listen, and practice deliberation as a practical tool for democratic decision-making.
The topic of this model assembly will be flooding and climate resilience. About 400,000 NYC residents live in high-risk flood zones—Gowanus being one of them. Climate change is driving heavier downpours and rising sea levels, leading to more frequent floods that strain infrastructure and put lives at risk. What should we prioritize in the face of these changes? How can we think more deeply and strategically together as a city?
The evening’s model assembly will be facilitated by Philip Lindsay of Bard College and Forrest Sparks of The Assembly Project, with special guests.
Location:
Powerhouse Arts
The Loft
322 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
November 19, 7–9pm
Plan your visit
more events
composition and critique
Led by Nandini Chirimar, this discussion-based class at MGC Community Print Studio will focus on composition principles and critique of both in-progress and completed work. Nandini will address how to integrate parts of an artwork into a unified whole, achieve balance of elements, and conceptualize and create cohesive series.
.avif)
CONDUCTOR
Presenting individual artists and galleries from across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and Indigenous Nations around the globe, CONDUCTOR seeks to deepen ties with these regions of the world, providing an inclusive and accessible platform for cultural exchange and expanding opportunities for artists and their galleries to grow and develop their markets in New York. The fair is curated by Adriana Farietta in collaboration with PHA.
