Reimagine the power of arts and creativity for our planet and people
OUR PURPOSE
At Arts for Global Development (Art4Development.Net) we bring a multi-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and participatory approach to development and engage individuals and organizations worldwide in creating and maintaining arts-infused positive impact. We are a registered 501(c)3 educational nonprofit organization that champions the use and application of the arts and culture to challenge societal inequities and environmental degradation.
GET INVOLVED
Throughout history, the arts in any form and style have been the major common factor in linking people at any level, socio-political and economic status, age, ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and color.
The arts inspire creativity, give hope, empower individuals, bring new perspectives on processes, nurture cultural competency, and offer unconventional results that stimulate innovation, develop new industries, create jobs, products and services, economic well-being and quality of life.
Won’t you agree?
- BECOME AN ARTIVIST: Collaborate and Partner
- SHOW YOUR COMMITMENT: Speak Up and Share
- NURTURE THE ART POWER: Donate and Support
Since 2002 we have been facilitating the creative sector and stakeholders of development collectively tackle socio-cultural, economic and ecological challenges and support underrepresented individuals and communities worldwide.
Let’s together make a positive difference.
Ready for FORUM 2025?
Join us in Washington, D.C., on October 15–16 at the FORUM 2025 , hosted by InterAction, bringing together hundreds of leaders in international development.
We’ll be there highlighting how art acts as a catalyst for connection, sustainable impact, and community empowerment.
For more information and to register, visit here.
NOW ON VIEW! Resilience & Reverberation, a multimedia exhibition curated by Art4Development.Net in collaboration with InterAction, is on display in Washington, D.C., from April 22 to October 31, 2025.
Showcasing both local and international artists, the exhibition explores themes of climate resilience, displacement, humanitarian crises, and equity through diverse mediums—thread, acrylic, clay, digital art, and more. Each piece tells a distinct story while collectively inspiring reflection, dialogue, and action.
Learn more and schedule a visit here.
CreativeChange + | Intergenerational Arts-Based Solutions for a Resilient Future
Have your creative voice be heard.
In honor of CreativeChange‘s 20th anniversary, we’re launching a global call for creative projects that address climate and social challenges through art, design, and imagination.
We invite arts-based initiatives, creative individuals, and organizations that foster intergenerational collaboration and deliver authentic, innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
A forthcoming study report will spotlight their stories, while selected submissions will be featured in the next edition of art’ishake and considered for future showcases, collaborations, and educational initiatives worldwide.
Join us in celebrating two decades of impact—and help reimagine what creative resilience can look like across generations, technologies, and cultures.
Can sonic sculptures spark dialogue about pollution? Can sun-reflective street art help cool our cities and combat climate change? How do the culinary arts intersect with rooftop gardens, cultural heritage, and food justice?
In her latest article, Art4Development.Net founder Nil Navaie explores the vital role of the arts in shaping sustainable and smART urban environments. Read more at Arts Management Network.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Arts, Fashion & Sustainability Online Conversation | September 25 at 1 PM US.EST.
Join us for a solution-oriented online conversation at the intersection of creativity, culture, and climate action. Hear from designers, conservators, and innovators on topics from preserving textiles as cultural heritage to transforming discarded materials into fashion and leveraging tech for transparent impact.
Featured speakers include:
Kwamena Boison – Co-Founder and Head of Design, The Revival
Akhil Sivanandan – Co-Founder and CEO, GreenStory
Maria Fusco – Chief Conservator and Margaret Wing Dodge Chair in Conservation, The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
Lori Kartchner – Curator of Education, The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
As part of the AQUAMUSE Project, supported by the Water and Development Partnership Programme at UNESCO-IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, SciComm X hosted a thought-provoking webinar exploring how art can address global water challenges and shape the cultural narratives that define us.
This session emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in amplifying awareness and action for water conservation.
Art4Development.Net founder, Nil Navaie moderated this webinar featuring panelists:
💧 Doug Fogelson, Founder & Director, Front Forty Press
💧 Shanai Matteson, Creative Changemaker & Founder, Water Bar & Public Studio
💧 Fritz Horstman, Education Director, Josef and Anni Albers Foundation
🔗 Watch the recording and learn more here.
Project H2O: Stories of Water virtual arts exhibition is now LIVE —along with an online auction supporting clean water access. Start exploring!
Project H2O: Reviving Waters Online Conversation, discussing the intersection of the arts and water sustainability, and featuring select artists and their thought-provoking works. Learn more.
Feeling overwhelmed by constant change, stress, or burnout? You’re not alone.
At this interactive virtual webinar with art therapist Thuli Wolf, you’ll explore arts-based techniques to de-stress, heal, and regain clarity in times of uncertainty.
A free, 1-hour session designed to help you restore balance. Learn more about art therapy and register here.