The Creating Impetus

On Nov. 19, 1998 the U.N. General Assembly proclaimed the first decade of the new millennium as "the international decade for a culture of peace," consisting of "values, attitudes and behaviors that reflect and inspire social interaction and sharing, based on the principles of freedom, ... and solving problems through dialogue and negotiation."

It was based on this that Art to the Nations (AttN) was formed.

Mission

To infuse the expansive power of artistic experience directly into venues of political, social, and cultural deliberations in order to create a catalyst to expand the possibilities of positive outcomes through the affirmation of our common humanity in the shared experience of art.

Vision

Art to the Nations aims to create a world in which the universal language of art affirms an environment of openness, the nurturing of diversity, a commitment to sustainability, and an expectation of living together in peace. Art to the Nations will be viewed as a valued resource, expanding the dialogue of deliberation in organizations throughout the world.

The Background

In the late winter of 2003, there was a small, but noticeable, ripple in the world of international relations that occurred at a major international conference. Tensions led to angry name-calling and an international display of non-tolerance. This event caused our young organization (then called Artists for Global Peace) to ask the important question: If any of us, as artists, had been in the room, what could an artist have said to avert a tense situation? The answer we came to was most likely nothing. Yet art, with its direct appeal to emotion, perhaps could have influenced the outcome of the situation in ways that words alone could not.

We believe, and science can now substantiate, that there are beneficial effects of art on the human spirit, and that art can therefore be used to good effect in situations where high-stakes negotiations and deliberations are taking place. Nearly everyone has experienced the way a concert can mold an entire audience into a cohesiveness which was not there before the concert began. It is as if the music has worked as a needle and thread, invisibly sewing the audience together to recognize the beauty and wonder of life itself.

It is this kind of group-knitting quality that we seek to inject into contexts where it is needed most. Functioning as a catalyst, bringing two or more entities together and causing them to interact, AttN will have a positive impact on the outcome of negotiations around the globe.

The precedent for this is as ancient as mankind; for we know that it was common in primitive societies to begin meetings of "the group" with music and dance. Most religious observances today do the same. In the modern political world, most significantly for us, we have the stunning example of the famous Congress of Vienna (1814), at which Beethoven was invited to perform numerous concerts for the diplomats. The cantata which he composed for one of these events, "Der Glorreiche Augenblick," was most likely the launching point for one of the greatest artistic achievements in the Western musical canon, that great call to brotherhood: the Ninth Symphony. This Congress of Vienna created a structure in Europe that held the continent together for 100 years. Beethoven’s contribution stands for itself.

How does it work?

We are creating a pool of artists around the globe whose work has a proven track record for its emotional effect on groups of people. We will then match them up with situations where deliberations, conferences or events are taking place, and where it is felt that the addition of art will add a beneficial cohesion to the work of the group. The artists will present their work in this context. Whether the presentation will take seven or eight minutes, thirty minutes, or longer, will depend upon what the needs of the situation itself. To be most effective, the presentation should be made daily, at the beginning of each session.

What is the structure of AttN?

We are incorporated within the State of California, and are currently obtaining a 501(c)3. We expect to have fiscal sponsorship by the Fall of 2003. We anticipate operating with an Executive Director, a Board of Directors, an Advisory Board, and a group of affiliated artists. Our goals include establishing satellite organizations around the world, once the model has proven its vital effectiveness. We expect to become an NGO affiliate with the United Nations and UNESCO, lending the artist’s voice directly into matters that effect the world community.

Why is AttN needed?

Although we are not a lobbying organization and are overtly non-political, it seems self-understood that our work could have a profound impact on bringing the peoples of the world together to create peace. Much of art requires no translation, but speaks across cultural boundaries in powerful ways, uniting both hearts and minds, and raises up Beauty as a standard while we constantly re-mold our world. To date, we have found no other organization or forum which unites artists into the pursuit of this endeavor.

What are some of the program ideas to develop?

These include:

International Artist Matching, matching specific artists and their repertoire with specific conferences, deliberations, or events.

Artist Training Program, teaching artists the skill of handling themselves in diplomatic situations and deliberations.

Artists’ Network created on the web, forming a support for like-minded artists, and creating an opportunity where organizations can easily find socially conscious artists. Best practices would be highlighted. Links to sites with scientific information validating the effectiveness of this work on the human brain. The site would also provide information to the public as to how involvement on a local level can aid our work.

AttN Institute for the exchange of ideas on building peace through culture. Serving as a think-tank, this could become a resource for leaders in organizations and governments seeking to broaden their perspective on given issues.