Why Art Has the Power to Change the World (top 10 reasons)
I love art. Making it, looking at it, buying it – it’s one of my favorite human skills. And the more I dig deeper into it, the more I realize just how impactful it really is. I’ve realized why art has the power to change the world.
It’s a bold claim, sure. But it’s the great concepts that are most exciting, right?
So this post sets out to prove how art can change the world – because the true impact of art is often overlooked, but you may be surprised to learn how significant it really can be.
So let’s wrap up this chit chat – let’s dive in and look at why art can (and does) influence and change everything around us.
(Also, keep scrolling to the end, where I review some key tips for creatives on how you can use art and brand to make change).
Here’s Why Art Has the Power to Change the World (10 reasons)
The role and purpose of art is dynamic and expanding. But can it change the world?
It’s a big claim – but there’s some serious support for this idea. In fact (spoiler alert, as you’ll see just below), it’s already influenced the world in various ways – and continues to do so.
So let’s jump in and review the top reasons why art has the power to change anything and everything – to change anyone and everyone – to change the world.
1. There’s Precedence (it’s already changed the world)
We’re starting off strong! But art has already changed the world. Examples abound.
Here are a few examples of art that changed everything:
Galloping Horse by Eadweard Muybridge
7,000 Oak Trees by Joseph Beuys
Rhythm 0 by Marina Abramovic
Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell
2. Art Is In Everything + A Part of Every Process
I challenge you to think of one example – anything – that doesn’t have an artistic component to it or an artistic stage in its development. It’s in everything.
The old lake cottage couch I’m currently sitting on while I write this post? Check.
My MacBook branding? Well yea, double check.
And how about this canned bubbly water I just finished, my pajamas and the wooden ceiling fan pushing air around above me (because it’s a summer lake cottage and air conditioning was overlooked)? yep, check check check.
Bottom line, art is everywhere.
3. Art Educates + Spreads Awareness On Social Issues
Art can bring awareness to social issues, nuances and points of concern.
It can spread awareness in subtle (and not so subtle) ways. It can educate us on issues we were unaware of and bring attention to issues that deserve it.
There are countless examples, and you don’t need to look far to find them.
In fact, it could be argued that one of the core jobs of being an artist is to develop a mission statement and use your creativity to help bring awareness and change, for the betterment of society.
I like that.
4. Art Sparks Conversation + Change
Art can light a fire. It can spark a conversation and over time, with enough discussion and people, it can create a movement.
It can create change.
This builds a bit off of the previous reasons above – but works as a standalone point.
5. Art Connects Us
Every culture and society is artistic. Our shared history tells us we’re creative by nature. We can communicate, engage with and share art – regardless of language, location or status.
Art also connects us as a form of community.
For example, becoming a fan of an artist puts you in their coveted audience and buying an artist’s work connects you directly with the creator and other supporters of indie artists.
Art is a community – from a local to a global scale. It’s universal and connects us on a deeper level than cheaper digital links. Surely, a more connected world is key to changing it.
6. Art Fosters Motivation + Inspiration
Motivation and inspiration are essential to even take the first step to changing anything.
Often, art can inspire us to take actions and make changes we may have never considered before. Especially after going to an art exhibit or gallery opening – there’s a freshness and certain post-motivation to it.
And if that art has a specific intention or purpose – and is visually inspiring as well (double win) – then its viewers are way more likely to be inspired to support the main cause the art is spreading awareness on.
Conversely, if you’re an artist yourself, adding intention and purpose to your work can elevate your motivation, inspiration and direction. That’s what happened with me and my brand philanthropy goals.
7. Art Challenges Perspectives
Art doesn’t tell us how we should feel about a certain work or painting. But it does force a sort of introspection though, which can lead to new perceptions and perspectives.
The benefit is we reach these conclusions “on our own”.
Being told what to think rarely works. But reaching conclusions on our own – that’s always effective. And art can be a subtle way to communicate new ideas and perspectives.
At scale, this can shape new beliefs and drive global-level change.
8. The Modern Viral Effect
Examples of random projects or unknown artists reaching millions is a story we’re all familiar with by now.
This is the modern viral effect, and it has the potential to change the world (or at least help).
Art can change the world much easier nowadays – simply because we have the technical infrastructure now.
The internet, social media and digital connectedness destroys all barriers for spreading ideas and artwork.
This makes the potential for those ideas and artists to make serious changes in the world way more realistic. After all, we call use the term influencers for a reason.
9. Art + Business Are Close Friends
Art is entrepreneurial. And I’m not just talking about art as an investment here (I’ll get into that a little more in the final reason below).
For better or for worse, business always seems to carry with it the biggest clout. Maybe it’s the money. It’s probably the money.
I’m not anti-money or anti-capitalist. But the era of artrepreneurship makes creativity more like a business.
And with that comes a slew of best practices, skills and newfound potential. Artists nowadays are manufacturers, distributors, marketers and CEO of their brand.
This combination of business acumen and creativity offers a unique opportunity to make a big impact – with the skills and know-how to do it right.
10. The Numbers Are In Art’s Favor
Consider this: global art sales reached $65.1 billion in 2021 and contemporary art has grown considerably over the past two decades alone.
Fine art has always been an investment. It’s a tradable, scarce and desirable asset. Imagine owning a Banksy or an Andy Warhol.
But it’s not just famous artists that make the big splashes. Consider the growth in valuation of creative platforms like Etsy or Adobe.
From a market analysis or investing standpoint, art is a growth investment opportunity with a growing number of creators worldwide (despite the recent 2022 market downturns…affecting almost everything).
Inevitably, these new artists (and the lack of gatekeepers) are going to be coming up with some awesome, changemaking ideas and projects.
6 Tips to Change the World Using Art
I will change the world by art ideas. Too bold?
Nah.
Remember all the reasons why art can really have a serious impact – both on an individual and a societal level.
So let’s look at some tips for how we can use art to help foster change.
1. Focus On Small-Scale Change (not the whole world)
We don’t need to set our sights on changing the world. That’s pretty audacious.
But small changes add up. Start with yourself, your inner circle, your community. The internet has the power to make things go viral, so you never know what can happen.
But small changes are cumulative and compound over time.
2. Focus On Adding Value (give more than you take)
If you want to change the world, just focus on giving more than you take.
Adding value – whether it’s educational, entertainment, inspirational or monetary in nature – is always a surefire bet.
So if you don’t know where to start, just start by considering how you can turn your interests or skills into value and action for change.
For me, I’m starting with this blog, my music and my travel-adventure films. From there, I (eventually) want to attach original artwork to these projects with built-in donations and profit-sharing by leveraging NFT technology.
I want to give more than I take.
3. Use Technology
This one is maybe obvious – but we’ve got some amazing tools for sharing art, ideas and making change.
Here are some of the major technologies we can leverage:
Social media
Blogging
YouTube
Art-selling platforms (like Etsy or Redbubble)
4. Collaborate
Collaboration always creates unique results. Combining artistic minds and ideas offers a lot of benefits.
Here are a few reasons why collaboration can help foster change and artistic impact:
You’re sharing audiences and expanding your reach
You’re combining skills and talents to increase the unique quality of a product
You’re blending original concepts and processes that are more likely to stand out
5. Don’t Try to Fix Everything (niche down your mission)
Similar to not trying to change the world overnight, we should also try to isolate our mission.
Sadly, there’s no shortage of social issues needing our attention. But we can’t do it all as just one person.
But we can do one (or two) things really effectively.
So define your values, goals, vision and mission. Now isolate an area that relates to those things and create art that can realistically make some changes.
6. Differentiate (layer your value, expertise + passions)
Differentiation is key. Since the modern artist is more entrepreneurial than ever before, most of us know this.
But why is it so important? Well, besides standing out among the competition, it’s also your unfair advantage. It’s that thing that no one else can copy. It’s brand.
So consider what your unique selling proposition is as an artist. A good way to do this is by connecting the dots and layering your various expertise, skills, interests and background.
Look for unique points of overlap. These could be your differentiation. This could be how you change the world with your art.
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