In recent years, the art community has increasingly been using its skills and talents to make a difference in the world. From raising awareness for important causes to directly helping those in need, artists around the globe are using their craft to create change.
One of the most impactful ways that artists are making a difference is through fundraising and awareness campaigns. Through initiatives like the Inktober drawing challenge, artists can use their art to raise money for various charities. In 2019, the Inktober challenge raised over $200,000 for different organizations, including the Dreaming Zebra Foundation, which provides art supplies to underprivileged children.
Similarly, artists are using their talents to bring attention to important issues and causes, such as climate change and social justice. For example, Shepard Fairey’s iconic “Hope” poster for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008 became a symbol of the optimism and perseverance that voters saw in the candidate. Fairey’s work has continued to focus on social and political issues, including climate change and income inequality.
Beyond fundraising and awareness campaigns, artists are also directly helping those in need. In 2018, Lori Kanary and Jillian Hertzman founded the Quilt for Change project, which brings together artists from around the world to create quilts that raise awareness for human rights issues. The quilts are then auctioned off, with the proceeds going to organizations working in the field. The project has addressed issues such as violence against women, forced migration, and climate change.
Similarly, organizations like The Crafting Council and Crafting for a Cause bring together crafters of all kinds to create items that can be donated to those in need. These items could be anything from blankets for animal shelters to hats for cancer patients. By using their skills, these crafters are able to help those who are struggling and create a sense of community in the process.
In conclusion, the art community is using its talents to make a difference in the world in a variety of ways. Through fundraising and awareness campaigns, direct service, and creating goods for those in need, artists are demonstrating the power of creative expression to create lasting change. Whether through quilts, sculptures, paintings, or any other medium, artists are showing that everyone can make a difference in their own unique way.
