Good Society Forum: Art and the Good Society

Art and culture has an intrinsic value. It enriches individual lives. As individuals, we may enjoy visits to libraries, museums, theatres, galleries - or reading a good book or listening to a great song. But does art and culture have a societal value? Does it contribute to social cohesion, to education, to our economy? Can it help build compassion, to increase understanding of the ‘other’, to promote our common humanity? And if it can and does contribute to the good society, should it be publicly funded?
Joining us on 7 June are three people from the Middle East to discuss does art matter and does culture have a value? Please register via Zoom at https://yale.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hy0Wm6W5S9-0CNb518vrAw.
Our panelists are:
Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi, an Emirati columnist and researcher, and is the Founder of Barjeel Art Foundation. (2018 Yale World Fellow)
Myrna Ayad, an arts consultant, cultural strategist and editor. Born in Beirut, she has spent almost 40 years in the UAE. She is the former Director of Art Dubai, and former Editor of Canvas, a leading magazine for art and culture from the Middle East.
Saleh Barakat, a Lebanese art expert, gallery owner and curator. (2006 Yale World Fellow)
The Good Society Forum is a community of change-makers around the world with a common quest to build the good society. Launched in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Good Society Forum Webinars digitally connect change makers around the world, engage them on ideas, and inspire action to build the good society.