Calling all change makers! We’re on the lookout for creatives who want to use their art to promote a more just and equal world.
We’re hosting the exhibition “The Art of Equality: A Journey to Justice” at United Nations Office at Geneva in October 2023, and we want you to be a part of it. If your art focuses on issues like gender, climate, social or economic justice, we want to hear from you.
We invite artists to submit original work that inspires audiences to think more deeply and creatively about how we can all work together to build a better future for everyone, everywhere.
Are you an artist looking to make a difference in the world?
The United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) is inviting artists worldwide to participate in the international exhibition, “The Art of Equality: A Journey to Justice”, that will be hosted at the United Nations Office in Geneva in October 2023. The event aims to create a unique and immersive experience to raise awareness and inspire action on equality and social justice through the lens of visual art and the Institute’s 60 years of research for social change.
Artists are encouraged to submit visual artwork that invokes deep reflection on topics related to gender, climate, social and economic justice. Our aim is to showcase artwork that stimulates the mind and prompts viewers to engage in thoughtful consideration of these important issues to inspire positive change for more equal, just and sustainable societies.
Theme background
In celebration of the Institute’s 60th anniversary, UNRISD launched the #ImagineEquality campaign in April 2023, encouraging people to reflect on new imaginaries for achieving gender, climate, social and economic justice. The campaign is built on the premise that if we want a just and equal world, we must first imagine it.
As part of this campaign, we call on artists to share their visions of a more equal future through visual art. We are asking visual artists from all over the world to submit artwork that illustrates key issues and themes of equity, justice, and progressive social change. We welcome submissions in various media, including digital, painting, photography and mixed techniques. We are committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity and invite artists of all ages, genders, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds to participate.
Our goal is to bring together a diverse group of artists from around the world to create a one-of-a-kind artistic journey that celebrates the power of art to inspire social change.
How to participate
- Post your artwork on your social media profile (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn) with the hashtag #ImagineEquality and tag @unrisd
- Write in the caption your artistic vision and fill in the gap “Imagine a world (where) ________” to tell us what equality means to you
- Submit before the deadline on 30 June 2023
Categories
- 2D digital art
- Painting
- Photography
- Mixed
Please note that we will require a high-quality photograph of your artwork for the exhibition, and that only reproductions of the artworks will be displayed for logistical and accessibility reasons.
Due to space constraints, sculptures and installations cannot be accommodated in the exhibition. For this reason, only two-dimensional pieces will be eligible.
Keywords
Equality, Justice, Gender Justice, Climate Justice, Social Justice, Economic Justice
Selection criteria
Each entry will be selected by an international jury based on the following criteria:
- Uniqueness and originality
- Technique and aesthetics
- Message and significance
Timeline
- Call for submissions opens: 21 April 2023
- Jury review: July 2023
- Selected artists notified: August 2023
- Exhibition: October 2023, exact dates to be confirmed
- Deadline for submissions: 30 June 2023
