#075: How Art Can Save The World

HUG debuts digital art exhibition at the United Nations in support of the Sustainable Development Goals

October 02, 2024

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🤗 This week's edition of Creator Royalties is about art’s role in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Scroll down for our usual rundown of weekly artist grants and opportunities, as well as art drops.

#075: How Art Can Save The World

With a community of creatives spanning 170 countries and digital art exhibitions everywhere from Paris to Bali and everywhere in between, HUG is no stranger to going global.

This past week, however, marks a monumental moment in HUG’s history— our debut at the United Nations headquarters! Thanks to a special collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Campaign, we were able to empower our artists to make an impact on the world stage during the Summit of the Future of New York. In more ways than one, this is just the start of how HUG can help you and your art make a lasting impact.

Let’s talk about how art’s role in activism for a better planet.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

What are the Sustainable Development Goals?

Adopted in 2015 by the United Nations Member States during the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, preserve our planet, and assure prosperity for everyone, everywhere.

These 17 goals are interconnected and recognize issues like ending poverty, affordable energy, economic growth, climate action, and world peace. Since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, organizations and communities around the world have been taking action on individual, local, and global levels to implement the SDGs into their lives.

At HUG, we have seen firsthand how art can change the world for the better. From our education programs to ongoing opportunities for artists, we know it’s essential to invest in the creator economy in order for it to play a pivotal role in the future.

Hope In Action: Transforming Tomorrow

Earlier this summer, HUG collaborated with the UN SDG Action Campaign and UN Youth Affairs Office to host an Open Call to capture a vision for a peaceful, just and inclusive present and a hopeful future, through the power of creativity with themes such as:

  • Climate Action

  • Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

  • Food Security

  • Peace

  • Youth

  • Digital Technologies

The Open Call saw over 1500 submissions, with just 25 artists being curated for the SDG Action Campaign’s HOPE IN ACTION exhibition. These inspiring artworks will be exhibited in and around key UN high-level conferences and initiatives, including the upcoming SDG Action Awards Ceremony in Rome later this October.

Witness the unveiling and watch the live debut of HOPE IN ACTION in the United Nations General Assembly during Youth Impact Day with the United Nations Youth Office. ⤵️

The Power of Art for the 2030 Agenda

The HOPE IN ACTION digital art exhibition was just one way HUG championed our global arts community at the United Nations. In addition, HUG’s Creative Marketing Manager, Tina Survilla Lindell, spoke on a panel about The Power of Art at the United Nations in the SDG Media Zone.

Moderated by Nanette Braun of the UN Department of Global Communications, the panel featured insights from Birgitte Hagemann Snabe of ART 2030 and Audrey Decker, founder of Street Art for Mankind. Each organization shared how they are using art to support the Global Goals, with HUG specifically highlighting the impact of digital art as a tool for accessibility and activism that transcends borders.

From the very beginning, HUG’s mission has been to democratize access to the arts. Today, our global community encompasses over 35,000 creatives around the world— artists whose work not only reflects their individual values but also inspires others to embrace and celebrate those values in unison. Together, we use art to inspire and advance the Global Goals to foster a more inclusive, sustainable, and creative future for the people and the planet.

How You Can Take Action

The difference between a dream and a reality is action. With 17 Sustainable Development Goals to address by 2030, there's no shortage of ways to connect creatively with one that resonates with you. Here are a few ideas to get started:

  1. Learn the Global Goals. This 2-minute quiz can help identify which of the 17 goals aligns most with your values.

  2. Stay informed. Follow and subscribe to the United Nations, UN SDG Action Campaign, UN Youth Affairs, Global Goals, and their partners to get the latest updates and get inspired.

  3. Act local, think global. Contribute to community initiatives that support the Global Goals, such as local charities, community gardens, or public libraries, and see how they connect to the larger global agenda.

  4. Launch your own initiative. Whether it's starting a conversation with one other person or rallying local support, every effort counts. For inspiration, explore how the 2024 UN SDG Action Awards Finalists are using creativity and innovation to drive change.

Closing Thoughts

As we look toward 2030 and the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals, it's clear that art plays a powerful role in inspiring change and fostering action.

Whether through individual expression or community collaboration, creativity is a force that transcends borders, speaks to shared human values, and drives global progress. By using your creative talents to address global challenges, you can inspire action, break down barriers, and push boundaries. Innovation, when combined with artistic expression, becomes a powerful force for progress, transforming how we think, act, and build a better world for everyone.

Did you miss our last Open Call with the United Nations?

If you weren’t able to participate in our Open Call for Hope In Action, we have another opportunity to contribute to the United Nations.

HUG is hosting an Open Call with Christie’s Digital Art and Erick Calderon of Artblocks to reinterpret the iconic Chromie Squiggle in a way that explores the transformative power of digital art in creating new connections across borders.

The winning piece will be part of the upcoming Christie’s x UNHCR Charity Auction: "Bridging Worlds: Digital Art Beyond Borders" taking place from October 23 to 30, 2024. This auction will raise funds to support the work of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Submissions are open through October 4, 2024.

đź“Ł Open Calls have arrived on HUG! Visit thehug.xyz to discover your next Open Call opportunity, from grants to gallery showcases, and more.

Want to host your very own Open Call? Submit your interest.

HUG Artist Spotlight: Zsolt Kosa

Zsolt Kosa is a digital painter and creative technologist from Hungary. With 15 years of experience, his talents extend across illustration, game development, branding, and digital innovation. While cultivating his own creative skills and talents is central to his practice, sharing his knowledge with like-minded artists to support their creative journeys is equally important.

That’s why we are excited to announce the launch of Zsolt’s HUG Shop, where he is sharing over 70 digital brush sets that are compatible Photoshop and Procreate 5.0. Zsolt’s invites beginners and experts alike to explore an extensive range of digital brushes, from dynamic splatters and realistic foliage to intricate textures and magical effects, perfect for adding unique touches.

…but wait, there’s more!

Zsolt is giving away a special brush set of 30 digital brushes for free! You can redeem yours here. This brush set includes software for thick brushstrokes, splatters, halftones, watercolors, and more.

Not only is this brush set free, but it also unlocks the opportunity to win over $1300 in prizes from Zsolt’s HUG Shop if you enter his digital art contest on HUG! The top 3 artists will receive the following prizes:

  • First Place: Full access to every brush set for free ($1300+ in value)

  • Second Place: Free access to Zsolt’s most popular bundle and 3 brush sets of your choice

  • Third Place: Free access to 3 brush sets you think are most helpful to you

Who doesn’t love a challenge that comes with a free gift? We can’t wait to see what artwork you create!

Featuring artwork made with Zsolt’s brushes