Arts and the SDGs

Arts and culture sector makes critical contributions to community well-being and sustainability. Join SDG Cities for a discussion about how the arts sector contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We will discuss the role of arts and culture in sustainable development and the practical implications for community impact measurement in the arts sector. We also want to learn from you about the resources and support needed to support and advance engagement of arts organizations with the SDGs.

Panel Speakers:

Jessa Agilo (she/her/they) – Founder, President & CEO, ArtsPond/Étang d’Arts

Jessa is an integrated arts creator, producer, educator, knowledge seeker, changemaker, and serial social entrepreneur with a three-decade career boosting social, spatial, economic, digital, and accessibility justice with, by, and for equity-seeking groups across all disciplines in Canadian arts and culture.

Michelle Peek (she/her) – Founder, Art Not Shame

Michelle is a community-engaged educator and photographer. She is interested in the transformative role of art in community-based social justice projects and mental wellbeing. Michelle holds a PhD in English and Cultural Studies from McMaster University, where she studied love and belonging in contemporary queer, Indigenous, and human rights literature.

Sarah Haanstra (she/her) – Manager, Toward Common Ground

Sarah works at the Guelph Community Health Centre where she manages Toward Common Ground (TCG). In this role, Sarah led the development of local wellbeing framework that guides the work and focus of TCG. She has also led many projects focused on understanding local needs and impact.

Artwork featured is by Manny Chukwu, artist and 10C team member. You can see this piece in the stairwell at 10C and learn more about Manny’s artwork here.