What Art Can Do is a champion
for the role of the arts,
artists, and an artist mindset
in the significant challenges of our time

What Art Can Do is a champion for the role of the arts, artists, and an artist mindset in the significant challenges of our time

Art helps us to ask better questions. It gives meaning and emotion to abstract ideas. It empowers and emancipates. 

Whether it is climate change, social justice, poverty, or biodiversity, art can make a positive contribution.

What Art Can Do showcases the transformative power of the arts, connects artists with challenges, shares and supports academic research on the impact of the arts, and advocates for the arts. We use the Sustainable Development Goals as our shared plan for a greener, more equitable, and more sustainable world.

What Art Can Do is an independent platform unaffiliated with social, political, cultural, or other movements. 

The Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global agenda for sustainable development for the year 2030. There are 17 goals, which have been adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015. Each goal has several targets, 169 in total. Art plays a critical role in many, if not all, of these objectives.

An image of the 17 sustainable development goals with art in the 18th square

What Art Can Do Editorial Board

The role of art, artists, and an artist mindset in sustainable development has not been formalized. Our editorial board supports us in the many decisions that we need to make before we can confidently claim what art can do. In an open and transparent process, the editorial board creates the guidelines for the projects we showcase on this website. 

The editorial board also ensures that the team and volunteers who work on the What Art Can Do website are unbiased and inclusive. We aim to represent all art disciplines and people from all walks of life. This is a dynamic process, and we encourage you to get involved.

What Art Can Do is run from the offices of the Turn Club, a network of artists, creative entrepreneurs, connectors, and change-makers that come together for a better world. 

If you want to volunteer, please complete this form.