FOCUS IN

People who dream of peace and connection. Photo by Cagin Ozsoy.

Marina Neophytou

There is growing recognition of the role the arts play in peacebuilding. All forms of artistic expression have been recognized as building opportunities for genuine communication about key social challenges.

Visual Voices (VV) is a nonprofit organization based in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. VV works internationally in the field of arts-based peacebuilding, specifically focusing on connecting with emerging visual artists from communities affected by violent conflict.

Artivism Is Key
Having worked extensively in peacebuilding and international community development in different geographies, the VV team is convinced that artists can construct social narratives that support peace by connecting with communities through their work. We believe that artivism (art activism) is the modern art genre that can mobilize the public for positive social change.

VV utilizes peace education and artivism as valuable tools in their cross-sectoral artist-in-residence programs. These programs are designed for young visual artists who seek to expand their own socially engaged art practice to promote positive social change as related to violent conflict.

Artists can construct social narratives that support peace by connecting with communities through their work.

By involving this group in peace education, VV hopes to develop young artists’ leadership skills and their capacity to engage large audiences with highly localized—and often universally relevant— perspectives that support conflict transformation and reconciliation techniques.

An International Approach
The international scale of the program is a key element in building a strong network of like-minded art practitioners and relevant organizations. Through continued involvement in network activities, artists collaborate with artists from other communities. Artworks that address universal challenges travel around the world, creating opportunities for audiences to reflect on common challenges we all face because of conflict.

Making Connections
The second element of VV’s work is to support connections between artists and grassroots initiatives. This allows artists to gain practical experience while working with community partners, demonstrating another advantage of collaboration between artists and civil society representatives. These artist-led community-based activities spark sociopolitical art movements that create awareness and influence policy around the world.

VV also prioritizes noncommercial platforms for expression, supporting collectives and artists in sharing their personal experiences, ideals, and initiatives through traditional exhibitions or emerging technologies.
The primary objective is to create more space for peace-supporting narratives and to challenge conflict narratives. The VV team is excited to see the potential of visual art to make social change around the world!

Marina Neophytou is the co-founder and director of operations and international
partnerships for Visual Voices. contact@visual-voices.org