

ARTS PROGRAM
We believe that the arts play an integral role in the development of a new language for inner wellbeing and social change. The arts can provide a deeper understanding and expression of the human experience. They do this in a way that is transcendental, crossing cultural and linguistic borders.
“The arts have a unique power to express ideas and emotions in new ways, to create experiences that have a profound impact on our lives, and to help us make sense of the world around us. The Arts Program at the Summit invites us all to embark on a creative journey together; a journey that I hope will activate our whole selves and continue to resonate in our hearts and minds long after the event ends.”
MANUEL BAGORRO
Arts Curator, The Wellbeing Summit for Social Change
EXHIBITIONS
THE ARTIST TRACK
The Wellbeing Summit’s broad ranging arts program included 12 commissions of new, risk-taking work from remarkable contemporary artists across the globe. We were supported in our selection of artists by Vicente Todolí, the famed former Director of Tate Modern.
As part of this program, the following artists created new work that explored inner wellbeing in personal ways. From representations of the flight of our imaginations and spirits, to artistic engagement with intergenerational trauma and challenges facing our world, each new piece is an eloquent statement about wellbeing.
YAZMANY ARBOLEDA – HOSPITAL FOR THE SOUL
JANET CARDIFF & GEORGE BURES MILLER – TONE INSTALLATION
NIKHIL CHOPRA – WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
CARLOS GARAICOA – SOÑAMOS EN LA SUPERFICIE RAYADA DE UN CRISTAL
MOHAU MODISAKENG – THE WATER DRUMMER
OTHER EXHIBITIONS
The Summit’s artistic program included exhibitions by individual artists and group shows that represented partnerships with many organizations around the world. Our exhibitions offered an opportunity to engage with a broad range of multimedia works by major artists.
ART AND SPIRITUALITY. IMAGINING THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE BBVA COLLECTION
DANIEL STEEGMAN MANGRANÉ – FOG DOG
SCIENCE GALLERY BENGALURU – PSYCHE
URSULA HAUSER COLLECTION – BERLINDE DE BRUYCKERE
COMMUNITY ENCOUNTERS
Our Community Encounters program was supported by partnerships with a number of international partner organizations. The projects invited engagement with varied sensory experiences and participatory programs.
COMMUNITY ARTS NETWORK (CAN) – DATA STRINGS BOARD
TOD MACHOVER – BILBAO CITY SYMPHONY
MUSEUM OF ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY (MAP) – SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
PERFORMING ARTS
Our performing arts program included concerts, shows and creative invitations that were open to the public as well as performances in Summit plenary sessions, workshops and creative labs. Artists from all over the world collaborated to present a multi-disciplinary program that engaged people of all ages in experiences that explore the joyful and transformative power of the arts.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM PERFORMANCES
BISHOP CHANTEL WRIGHT & SONGS OF SOLOMON
FRESH FORCES
ROYSTON MALDOOM & MAGS BYRNE
THEATRE OF THE OPPRESSED