About
Why Social Art?
Social Art is any artistic expression that aims to create social impact and change. This definition delineates the intention of the artist as crucial. Art engages in questioning and rethinking existing systems and paradigms. Artists are visionaries, utopists, agents for change, with the ability to affect society by creating emotionally captivating experiences. It is aesthetic revolution that preludes societal revolution.
Vision
PEACE AND HEALTH FOR ALL
The Global Youth Call on peaceful and healthy societies is open until January 20, 2026. For the Youth Social Art Award we call on young creators to imagine peace in conflicted times. Together, we focus on social justice, mental and planetary health, and collective resilience — inspiring powerful works that confront crises and spark visions of hope, equity, and regeneration.
The Goal
The Social Art Award
The goal of this award (launched in 2017) is to invigorate the rise of Social Art. We invite (young) creatives to inspire zest for transformation – even if this approach dissents from the widely claimed autonomy of art. The award explores and clusters the field, and seeks to raise attention for Social Art. Furthermore, the award aims at strengthening the recognition of social artists and the value of their work. Thus, promoting the importance of Social Art for resilient and regenerative societies and its action-oriented participatory projects.
Are you a Social Artist?
We are proud to share the Social Art Award 2025 Official Book on Planetary Healing – Blue Tribes for Ocean Health featuring 100 amazing artists from around the world.
Mission
Our Mission
We deeply believe that we can only tackle the complex global problems that humanity faces today with openness, inclusiveness, and purpose-driven collaboration at the intersection of art, science and innovation. With diverse events such as design labs, workshops, symposia, social media campaigns and interviews, we want to explore new co-creation formats and catalyze empowering, innovative and bold interdisciplinary conversations that foster trustworthy collaborations and symbiotic actions.
Social Artist Network
2017
372
entries
131
countries
2019
558
entries
65
countries
2021
747
entries
147
countries
2025
922
entries
77
countries
The Organizer
Institute for Art and Innovation
The Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI) strongly believes in the power of the arts to strengthen our humanity, inspire action, and connect people across cultures and disciplines worldwide.
The organization specializes in facilitating transdisciplinary collaborations at the intersection of art, science, technology, and innovation. Through its work, IFAI brings thought-provoking visions of regeneration to life and activates creativity as a driver for social and environmental impact.
Working with an international network of partners, IFAI develops interdisciplinary projects that foster innovative strategies, enable meaningful research and ideation, expand public engagement, and generate shared knowledge — always with a strong focus on tangible outcomes and real-world relevance.
The Institute for Art and Innovation is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Berlin, Germany.
IT’S TIME TO CO-CREATE POSITIVE FUTURES!
Supporters
Our Network
We are part of a growing movement of visionary partners, change-makers, and progressive institutions working across borders and disciplines. In 2025, we co-curated the Alliance for Youth-Led Futures — an international platform that brings together young people, practitioners, and institutions to collectively shape pathways toward more just and sustainable societies.
Grounded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we work alongside youth as essential allies in reimagining and co-creating the ecological, social, and digital transitions of our time. Together, we cultivate bold imaginaries, shared responsibility, and the courage to act for regenerative and inclusive futures.
Contact
Reach out to us!
Institute for Art and Innovation e.V.
Kastanienallee 12
10435 Berlin
Phone +49 177 7878578
Fax +49 321 2113 4523
For general inquiries please contact us at
info@social-art-award.org
Partner requests are welcome at
sophie@social-art-award.org
For communications and media inquiries please contact us at
press@social-art-award.org
Support requests regarding the contest must be directed before the closing time to
support@social-art-award.org