About

Why Social Art and the Award?

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.

The goal of this award that was launched in 2017 is to invigorate the rise of social art. We need more people 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 society and its action-oriented participatory projects

We deeply believe that we can only solve the complex global problems that humanity faces today with openness, inclusiveness, and purpose-driven collaboration at the intersection of art, science and innovation. With different events such as workshops, panels, and interviews, we want to explore new collaboration formats and catalyze empowering, innovative and bold interdisciplinary conversations that foster creative solutions and symbiotic actions.

About the Award Organizer

The Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI) strongly credits the arts to enhance our humanity, to stimulate us to action, and to connect people from around the world. The organization specializes in the facilitation of interventions and collaborations at the intersection of art, science, technology and innovation. We co-create thought-provoking visions to drive impact. Our interdisciplinary projects together with a global network provide: intelligent innovative strategies, enriching ideation and research, reach for new audiences, and knowledge transfer, all while fostering tangible results. IFAI is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization based in Berlin, Germany.