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Art to inspire the future with the United Nations

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October 24th is United Nations Day, and this year we’re marking 75 years of the United Nations (UN75). To commemorate this anniversary, the United Nations Secretary-General asked the world, “What are your hopes for the future?” Over one million people from every country spoke up, expressing their thoughts and ideas for the future we want.

One of the ways people answer this question is by making art. That’s why we’ve partnered with Google Arts and Culture to bring online a collection of over 500 artworks created in response to this prompt. We’re inviting everyone to learn more about how contemporary artists are answering today’s challenges and helping us imagine a better future. Exhibits include The Future is Unwritten, with inspiring contributions from nine international artists, as well as the Agora photo exhibit, which features submissions from members of the public exploring #TheWorldWeWant.

You too can join this conversation by creating your own Street Galleries, a new online tool allowing you to “project” selected artworks in the streets of cities around the world and share the images with your friends to spark a conversation.

Don’t know where to start? Find inspiration in the Street Galleries created by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.

  • Explore the Street Gallery created by Ban Ki Moon and projected onto the UN Global Headquarters in New York.

    Explore the Street Gallery created by Ban Ki Moon and projected onto the UN Global Headquarters in New York.

  • Discover the work of nine global artists who use their creativity to inspire a better, more sustainable world for all in The Future Is Unwritten.

    Discover the work of nine global artists who use their creativity to inspire a better, more sustainable world for all in The Future Is Unwritten.

  • See incredible photos from around the world as part of the #TheWorldWeWant exhibition.

    See incredible photos from around the world as part of the #TheWorldWeWant exhibition.

  • Zero Hunger, by Emmanuel Jarus, is a mural that raises awareness about food insecurity, and reflects on a world where everyone has access to the food they need and the vision of zero hunger by 2030.

    Zero Hunger, by Emmanuel Jarus, is a mural that raises awareness about food insecurity, and reflects on a world where everyone has access to the food they need and the vision of zero hunger by 2030.

  • Learn how artworks like this realistic portrait drawing, titled Self-Acclaimed,  by the self-taught Nigerian artist Kalejaye O. Tosin, can create new dialogues as  part of the Global Conversation 2020 exhibition.

    Learn how artworks like this realistic portrait drawing, titled Self-Acclaimed,  by the self-taught Nigerian artist Kalejaye O. Tosin, can create new dialogues as  part of the Global Conversation 2020 exhibition.

  • Listen to the result of the”Composing Your Future” initiative which invited musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 to compose a piece inspired by the central theme of “The Future We Want.”

    Listen to the result of the”Composing Your Future” initiative which invited musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 to compose a piece inspired by the central theme of “The Future We Want.”

We invite you to join us at this moment of reflection, of listening, and of coming together as a human family to discuss how we can respond to the big trends shaping our future.

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