World Art Day (WAD) is observed annually worldwide on April 15 to strengthen the connection between artistic creations and society, promote awareness of diverse artistic expressions, and acknowledge artists’ contributions to sustainable development.
- The WAD 2025 theme, “DNA – Do No Algorithm,” emphasizes human creativity as a counter to AI-generated art.
- The celebration of WAD centers on the promotion, development, dissemination, and appreciation of art across all forms and cultures.
Note: The International Association of Art/Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques (IAA/AIAP), a Paris (France)-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), spearheads the celebrations.
Background:
i.In April 2011, during the 17th General Assembly of IAA/AIAP in Guadalajara, Mexico, the IAA/AIAP adopted a proposal by the Turkish National Committee to declare 15 April as World Art Day.
ii.The inaugural World Art Day was celebrated on April 15, 2012.
iii.In 2019, during its 40th General Conference, UNESCO officially proclaimed World Art Day as an international celebration.
iv.In 1998, Becky Mate, founder of Artists for A Better World (AFABW) International, initiated local celebrations in Los Angeles (LA), United States of America (USA).
- In 2023, LA became the first USA city to officially recognize the day via a LA City Council proclamation.
Why 15 April?
The date honors the birth anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci (15 April 1452), an Italian polymath who symbolized freedom of expression, tolerance, and brotherhood.
- His iconic works, including Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and Lady with an Ermine, exemplify human creativity.
UNESCO’s Art Collection:
i.In 1950s, UNESCO commissioned works from artists like Pablo Picasso (Spain), Joan Miró (Spain), and Henry Moore (United kingdom, UK) for its headquarters designed by architects Marcel Breuer (USA), Luigi Nervi (Italy), and Bernard Zehrfuss (France).
ii.In 1980s, The collection expanded with contributions from Alberto Giacometti (Switzerland), Carlos Cruz-Diez (Venezuela), and Jesús Rafael Soto (Venezuela).
iii.UNESCO currently holds the largest art collection within the United Nations (UN) system, featuring over 700 artworks, both historical and contemporary, representing a rich diversity of artistic expressions from around the world.
2025 Events:
UNESCO announced that the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2025 will be held in Barcelona, Spain, from September 29 to October 1, 2025.
- This conference will gather representatives from UNESCO’s 194 member states to establish a global agenda for culture.
- During the event, UNESCO will unveil its first-ever global report on the state of culture, a comprehensive study developed over three years.
About International Association of Art/Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques (IAA/AIAP):
The International Association of Art/Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques (IAA/AIAP) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that operates in official partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
President – Kwang Soo Lee (Korea)
Headquarters – Paris, France
Established – 1948
