The inaugural Arts for the Future Festival invites artists, filmmakers and creatives from around the world to participate in a transformative hybrid festival that connects the power of the arts with the urgency of sustainability and social change. The event is scheduled to take place in New York City from September 13-29, 2024, and coincides with major global events including the UN Future Summit, the UN General Assembly and Climate Week NYC.
This festival offers a unique opportunity for creative minds to raise their voices and express their commitment to global issues such as climate change, social justice and sustainable development. Working with a wide range of partners, the festival presents a vibrant palette of in-person and virtual events including art exhibitions, film screenings, global artist talks and interactive workshops.
One of the festival’s standout events is the second Artists March for the Future, a powerful public demonstration that will bring artists, activists and supporters to the streets of New York City. The march will begin in Times Square and end with a dynamic rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the United Nations headquarters, where key figures in art and activism will share their insights and inspiration.
Adding to the festival’s appeal is the AI/Digital Art Exhibition at Times Square, an innovative presentation of AI and digital art that explores the convergence of technology, creativity and sustainability. Displayed on Times Square’s iconic billboards, this exhibition promises to captivate audiences with its striking imagery while highlighting the potential of digital art to drive global change.
Open call for submissions: The Arts for the Future Festival calls for submissions from artists, filmmakers and creatives who want to make a difference with their craft. This is a remarkable opportunity to showcase your work on a global platform alongside leading voices from the creative and impact community.
- Submission categories: Fine art, film, photography, mixed media, digital art and performance art.
- Deadline for entries: 31 August 2024
- How to submit: Interested participants can submit their work via the official festival website at www.artsforthefuturefest.com.
- Selection procedure: A panel of renowned curators, industry experts and sustainability activists will review all submissions. Selected works will be shown in the festival program and may be the focus of special events.
Highlights of the festival: The Arts for the Future Festival aims to engage a diverse audience, from artists and activists to policymakers and the general public, all united by a shared commitment to sustainability and the arts. The event will also include a Creator’s Hub, a dedicated space for networking, collaboration and dialogue, with panel discussions, workshops and special sessions led by thought leaders in the arts and sustainability fields.
Insights from the festival management: Lisa Russell, the global co-chair of the Arts & Culture ImPACT Coalition and Emmy-winning filmmaker, is a driving force behind the festival. She emphasizes the festival’s mission: “The growing creative economy is an untapped resource in the policy-making space, and now more than ever we need all hands on deck. With the Arts for the Future Festival, we want to amplify the incredible power of diverse artists and cultural workers – not just as entertainers, but also as creative thinkers and problem solvers – to envision a just, equitable and sustainable future.”
About the festival: The Arts for the Future Festival is more than just an event. It is a movement that seeks to use the power of the arts to inspire action on global challenges. By bringing together artists from around the world, the festival aims to deepen our understanding of how artistic expression can contribute to progress in sustainability, social justice and human rights.
For more information or to submit your work, visit www.artsforthefuturefest.com.
