Culture

➡️ Culture and Art – Tools for Social Change and Global Impact

As the lifeblood of a vibrant society, culture and art can be expressed in many forms, including stories, celebrations, traditions, festivals, dress, dance, theatre, language, literature, and music. Creative expression helps define human nature and allows us to see the world through the eyes of others.

Jump straight to our resources on ➡️ Culture and Art

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Films and Documentaries

• Photography

• Historic Parks and Gardens

• Various Forms of Art

• Art Venues

• Exemplary People in Art and Culture

Art and culture matters! In its various forms, it helps to tackle social injustices, discrimination, and ignorance. The world of art enables us to embrace diversity, tolerance, and inclusion. It helps draw communities together and can bring prosperity.

 Preserving and honouring our culture allows us to define our identities and foster appreciation and respect for the history of our planet and all its people.

“We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race” - Kofi Annan

German speakers should visit our partner site, Bessere Welt Info for over 3,600 links on Kultur.

Follow our excellent culture X/Twitter list for up-to-the-minute news from the art and culture world.

Culture and Art - Tools for Social Progress

As we celebrate culture and art around the world, we also promote their use for social transformation and highlight the importance of cultural preservation. By embracing cultural diversity, we can help to remove harmful stereotypes and foster a society of understanding, respect, and global cooperation.

Culture can be a powerful driver of economic growth. It plays a key role in sustainable development, helps secure social stability, and promotes environmental protection. Learn more about worldwide culture, culture in Europe, and the importance of protecting endangered languages, preserving local knowledge, and promoting intercultural dialogue.

Citizens are becoming more disillusioned with weak social protections. Police brutality, racism, lack of climate action, crumbling workers' rights, bloated military spending, forever wars, the restriction of women's rights, abortion laws, poor treatment of refugees, corruption, and weakened democracy are fuel for activists to use art as a way to amplify their voices.

Activism through art has been used to promote the Black Lives Matter Protests, to support gay rights, promote peace, gender equality, and a host of other worthy causes. Cartoonists, photographers, sculptors, street artists, poets, and filmmakers use their creativity to drive movements calling for urgent change. Art is one of the most powerful tools to promote peace, human rights, and equality.

Artists who have used their skills to raise awareness of important issues include Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Yoko Ono, Keith Haring, Banksy, and Rebeca Lane.

Art Forms – Artistic Expression through Painting, Dance, and Music

Better World Info celebrates all forms of art, in particular those conducive to a better world. We have created a guide to the most inspiring and influential music, dances, cartoons, poetry, and literature, which capture the essence of peace, positive change, social justice, and environmental protection.

Music is one of the most important cultural forms of expression. It unites people and can be used to support excellent causes. The massive Live Aid concerts raised $140 million for famine relief in Africa and spread awareness of the severity of famine to billions around the world. Benefit concerns have been used successfully to generate money for causes such as HIV, refugees, the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, climate change, peace, and ending racism.

Films, Documentaries, and Photography

Delve into the fascinating world of cinema and documentaries where you can find film festivals near you, learn about the role of women in film, and how this medium can be used as a platform for change, to shift narratives, spark conversations, and raise awareness of important world issues.

This form of media is an art that can cross borders, be translated into hundreds of languages, and expose truths often well hidden from the public eye.

Documentaries that sparked real-world change include Al Gore's insight into climate change with 'An Inconvenient Truth', 'Super Size Me' an exploration into the health effects of a McDonald's only diet, 'Food, Inc' with its examination of corporate farming in the U.S., and 'Seaspiracy' which exposed the fishing industries impact on the worlds oceans and marine life.

The entire career of documentary legend David Attenborough has been devoted to providing eye-opening insight into serious environmental issues. His documentaries are thought to have been a significant factor in strengthening British environmental policies.

Learn about human rights film festivals, and find our top recommendations for films on peace, environment, the climate crisis, Big Oil, and war and conflict.

In our photography section, you can find expert information on photography awards, photo archives, image royalties, and where to source stock photos. We also feature brave and inspiring photographers and photojournalists who capture precious moments in the natural world and unforgettable portraits of humanity.

Artists and Role Models of Culture - The People Behind the Art

Art and culture live through the people who create, reproduce, and develop them. Our collection of artistic, literary, and musical role models showcases the talent of individuals who bring global attention to important issues, use the stage for advocacy, and use their voices for positive influence. 

Learn more about important people in culture, such as Vivienne Westwood, Roger Waters, and George Orwell, and about the impact of celebrity activism, where those in the public eye use their influence for good.

We also celebrate inspiring philanthropists who use their money for social uplift and the greater good. Explore our selection of top people in the fields of religion, such as Pope Francis, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Dalai Lama.

Culture and Artistic Freedom for a Better World

Better World Info advocates for artistic freedom and the preservation of culture and heritage. Without which, social change and progression are stifled. Art and culture are valuable and essential tools for improving this world.

"Art makes better humans, art is necessary in understanding the world and art makes people happy. Undeniably, art is not optional." - Nathan Sawaya

Art can be a simple, colourful enrichment of an otherwise dreary day or a creative force to promote political education and human development. Often playing a forgotten role in our society, the arts remain massively underfunded. With austerity programs, economic crises, and conflict at the door, it takes a back seat to other prioritised industries, such as the military.

Investing in the arts and our cultural heritage promotes wellbeing, community pride, enhances our quality of life, and boosts the economy.

We must protect the freedom to imagine, create, and express. We must fight against governmental censorship, political interference, and repression. All citizens deserve the right to access art regardless of its message and to celebrate their traditions and cultures without fear of imprisonment, persecution, harassment, or other human rights violations.

Supporting local artists and cultural events and providing artists with social recognition is important. Art offers the voiceless a voice, a platform to stand against racism, threats to democracy, war machines, and corrupt governments. It provides us with a stage to show solidarity for vulnerable groups, demand ceasefires for the War in Ukraine and Gaza, and pressure governments to act on climate change. 

Artists must also be aware of the potential threats from new technology, such as artificial intelligence, which has potential implications for copyright infringements, legal issues, and loss of income.

We must invest in society. We must fund culture and the arts!

Author: Rachael Mellor, 02.01.24 (Updated 04.04.25) licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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