“One of the most calming and powerful actions you can do to intervene in a stormy world is to stand up and show your soul.”- Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Engaging in arts activities is a great way to get involved in Peace Day! Art, music, dance, theater, poetry, film, creative writing and photography are powerful ways to express our thoughts, emotions and visions about peace. Art has the power to affect us deeply, whether we are in the role of creator or viewer, and to connect us to our common humanity. The arts give creative voice to our human experience and can inspire and heal us in ways dialogue sometimes cannot.
WHAT CAN YOU DO – THE ARTS
VISUAL ART ACTIVITIES
PEACE CRANES – Armed with the Arts
Make peace cranes with messages of peace that can be given to those near you or delivered to student groups across the globe! About the Project – Peace Crane Instructions (kids can also fold an easier peace dove or peace heart)
CHALK 4 PEACE
is a fun way to build community and share images of peace! Chalk for Peace took place in the United Nations courtyard for Peace Day 2016!
See other Chalk 4 Peace events in this VIDEO.
THE PEACE FLAG PROJECT– Create Flags with images and messages of Peace – String them together to make a peace garland!
Create and display PINWHEELS FOR PEACE – DOWNLOAD Pinwheel Template
Make and fly PEACE DOVES – Thousands of giant and small peace doves fly on and around Peace Day inspired by UN Messenger of Peace Dr. Jane Goodall and the youth and environment program she founded, Roots & Shoots. DOWNLOAD Small Peace Dove Instructions – Watch slideshow with giant doves.
Write/draw a PEACE PLEDGE (Download template for younger kids HERE). You can view examples and what educators who’ve used them say HERE. View Chicago’s written Peace Pledge Template, which you can modify.
POETRY
Poetry resources celebrating Black History
FILM
Explore the short films and photo essays on global issues, all free, from the Global Oneness Project.
Screen “Before the Flood” – a climate change documentary featuring UN Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio (you can rent or purchase the video for less than $10).
MUSIC
The global initiative “Set for Peace” is a call to action to DJs and musicians worldwide. The action is simple–dedicate a set of music to Peace Day during the week in which September 21 falls.
DANCE
Peace One Day Global Campaign: “ONE DAY ONE DANCE”
Dance Flash Mobs In The Spirit of Peace – Zouk International
Want to help make dance accessible to kids in a different part of the world? See the work the local NGO Davis Dance Company is doing in Rwanda – CLICK HERE
LOCAL PEACE RELATED MUSEUMS / ART ACTIVITIES
ArtWell
Art Sanctuary
Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
The National Liberty Museum
The Penn Museum
Philadelphia Folklore Project
ART AND WELL BEING PDF (U.S. Department of Arts and Culture)
