We are a collective of artists, arts advocates, marketers, consultants, research analysts, ESG/SDG strategists, behavioral and developmental economists, social entrepreneurs, educators, art therapists, creative space makers and designers. At our core, we are learners—curious, interdisciplinary, and deeply committed to co-creating positive change.

What makes Art4Development.Net unique is our integrated approach: blending creative expression with rigorous analysis, informed by diverse academic backgrounds and practical experience. We champion creativity not only as a tool for inspiration but as a powerful driver for human and ecological well-being.

Art4Development.Net has no religious, political, or governmental affiliation. Art4Development.Net is an internationally recognized non-profit voluntary initiative; partner of UNESCO’s Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity, and member of CIVICUS.

Founded by Nil Şişmanyazıcı-Navaie in 2002 as a YahooGroup connecting people around the world who were passionate about the arts and culture in global development, the effort has since grown into a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Today, it is guided by a core board of executives — Elif Ertem, Sabi Behzadi, Kia Navai, Melda T. Değirmenci, and supported by a network of friends, volunteers, and advisors, including Paul Guise, Teresa Diaz, Thuli Wolf and Emon Surakitkoson.

If you share our passion for the arts and culture, and its transformative power to do good, we’d love to hear from you. Join our circle of thinkers, givers, and doers by reaching out at info [at] art4development.net.