Our Declaration 2026: Democracy in Motion…

John F. Kennedy said: “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.” (To read his 1963 speech, click here.)

Art reflects the world its comes from, as it influences and shapes that world. It can offer insights into complex issues, situations or relationships. It can challenge norms and assumptions, or reinforce them. Art can speak to our felt sense of the world, bypassing the intellect and sparking deeper understanding than might be available through the mind alone.

Art can bring people together to create shared experiences. It can reinforce or transform thought and perception for both the artist and the viewer. It can offer opportunities to communicate or give form to ideas, experiences or feelings. Art can make the unconscious conscious, and the intangible tangible. Artists’ work can play a vital role in shedding light in dark and forgotten places, sharing new perspectives and inspiring new possibilities.

We participate in the creation of our world through our beliefs and values, our ideas and stories, and most potently through our actions, responses and behaviour. The Arts offer the opportunity to reconnect to our senses, to become intimately aware of our own inner workings, nd the invisible inner workings of the world. enter the crucible of life, consciously, to witness the processes that shape our beliefs and values, and ultimately driving our behaviour.

— Ann Moradian, 2026