Visual Voices

Visual Voices is a newly established non-profit organization based in Nicosia, Cyprus with the intention to work internationally on arts-based peacebuilding programs with other civil-society organizations, research centres and artists. Our principle interests are to strengthen the capacity of young artists (18-35 years old) affected by violent conflict and to build non-commercial platforms of expression for them to share their voice through contemporary visual art. In doing so, we aim to combine traditional arts-based peacebuilding activities with substantive peace advocacy campaigns. For this reason, we define ourselves as working at the intersection between strategic social art and peacebuilding. Our relevant and/ or regular activities include: art-based peacebuilding, artistic residencies, peace education workshops, conferences, networking, presentations, campaigning, research. We believe that our target group, youth artists from communities affected by violent conflict, have substantial potential to promote positive social change. If done in a positive, forward-looking manner, youth addressing the challenges they face and/or see in their communities (that have resulted from conflict) within their art serves to stimulate dialogue and peace-oriented social narratives. To achieve this Visual Voices links peace education with the creative space young artists need to express themselves artistically. Reaching beyond immediate activity participants, Visual Voices supports young artists to share their work through conferences, presentations, campaigns and traditional and online exhibitions. As we continue to establish ourselves as an organization through developing an international network of civil society organizations, we find that there is significant interest in our approach both from professional artists and local practitioners. At this point we have an international network of 24 organizations in Asia, the MENA region and Europe. This is also supported by our internationally based Board of Directors and Technical Advisors, all of whom have a strong professional background in disciplines relevant to our organization’s mission. More information about the organization and our team is available at: www.visual-voices.org