SPOTTED: John Johnston on the critical role of art and culture
- Fine Art
- Education in Art
- Research
“Not all culture is good.” With this powerful statement, John Johnston, UNESCO Chair in Arts, Education and Cultural Advocacy, recently spoke at the Impact Talks organised by the Dutch Cultural Participation Fund. Johnston, head of ArtEZ's international Master Artist Educator and an expert at the intersection of art, education, and social change, emphasized the need for artists and educators to critically examine the structures within our culture.
“Artists, teachers, and other cultural creators are part of our society and shape the culture around us. That’s why they must stay alert to harmful developments and patterns before they take hold. We need to recognise negative influences and replace them with new narratives that focus on inclusion and collaboration. This is an ongoing process of creation, nurturing, and sharing.”
John Johnston
As a leading advocate for the transformative power of the arts, Johnston stressed that makers and educators have a responsibility to break harmful cycles and shape a new, inclusive culture. His talk challenged the audience to reflect on the impact of art and to actively contribute to positive cultural change.
Want to learn more about his talk and the Impact Talks by the Dutch Cultural Participation Fund? Check out:
Impact Talks
Podium for Impact