World Creativity Day

As climate change becomes an increasingly dire problem with each passing year, humans around the globe are trying to do what they can, in ways big and small, to help save the planet. As part of an initiative to bolster sustainable development, the United Nations established World Creativity and Innovation Day. The distinguished holiday is meant to raise awareness and draw attention to creativity as a form of individual expression and as a way to solve problems, especially those related to sustainable development. It was founded on May 25th, 2001 and was voted on by the UN as an officially established holiday in 2017. The UN has what is referred to as “Sustainable Development Goals," which are 17 goals they have outlined that work to address “poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice." The establishment of World Creativity and Innovation Day was voted on with the support of 80 countries in the United Nations. 

World Creativity and Innovation Day is intended to positively impact the planet by harnessing the benefits of creative thinking and using them to find solutions to the world's climate crisis. Ideally, people around the world who work in creative fields will become inspired to use their power as creative thinkers through means such as sustainability. 

According to the UN, “Creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development, to dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in the world economy providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy."

The designated holiday is especially important at this unique point in history, due to the fall in revenue and massive loss of jobs in the creative economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN reports that in many countries, revenues in the creative sector have fallen between 20% and 40%. World Creativity and Innovation Day also supports and is closely tied to ResiliArt, a UNESCO initiative founded in April 2020. ResiiArt is intended to capture the resilience and perseverance of artist around the world who have been negatively affected by the global pandemic, specifically in relation to their work in the creative fields. 

In many countries around the world, there are events being held during the day-and throughout the whole week-that bring people together in a creative space in order to promote the UN's sustainability goals. These include exhibitions highlighting certain artist in need; forums for how to apply creative thinking to the corporate world; workshops about the importance of creativity in education; and more. This year, a panel is being held in order to address how we can use creativity to help the people of Ukraine during the Russia-Ukraine War. Speakers at the panel will include professors, professional mediators, psychologists, and other professionals with substantial knowledge in the field. In order to explore WCID events located close to you in your country of residence, go to https://wciw.org/spotlight-celebrations/.

As an international art gallery with locations in 10 cities worldwide, Eden Gallery is proud to support World Creativity and Innovation Day. In support of this designated holiday, and to gain creative inspiration from a world renowned collection of contemporary artists, check out Eden Gallery's online website or visit your nearest gallery location today.