Activism and art have been intertwined for many years. For instance, songs including "A Change is Gonna Come" (Cooke, 1964), "We Shall Overcome" (Tindley, 1900), and "Freedom Highway" (The Staples Singers, 1965) were an important part of the Civil Rights movement. Further, protest imagery, usually in the form of posters, has been part of many movements, including abolition, women's suffrage, farm workers' rights, and Civil Rights, among others. Prominent aspects of the arts in this contemporary moment, one of movements and hashtags, include the interweaving of activism and art that are obvious in many places. Introducing an activist artist to contemporary learners is one way to connect the curriculum to the art world and to events that may resonate with students. This article highlights the work of dissident artist, Ai Weiwei, a political artist who said, "Everything is art. Everything is politics." The article details the personal history of this artist, who often critiques not only the Chinese government and it's actions, but society and its responses to things that Weiwei sees as issues. He has experienced first hand the brutality of his own government as a result, and examples of his work and the symbolism of them are described. When considering how teachers might approach Ai Weiwei's work in their classrooms, the article suggests connecting to local issues as well as larger national and international ones that are particularly relevant to students. The authors suggest that teachers overtly address how power circulates in and through schools. Acknowledging that curriculum design is a political act is one way that teachers can increase their transparency and also address the Ai Weiwei quote, "Everything is art. Everything is politics." Ai Weiwei's work is particularly relevant for high school students today as they learn how they can become active citizens in a democracy, taking a stand on issues that matter to them.