World Art Day
Next: April 15, 2027
Make something beautiful today.
The story
Where it comes from
World Art Day began with artists. In April 2011, at the General Assembly of the International Association of Art in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Turkish artist Bedri Baykam proposed 15 April, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, as a day to celebrate art around the world, and the delegates agreed unanimously. Leonardo, born in 1452, was painter, sculptor, inventor and scientist at once, which made his birthday a fitting choice. The first World Art Day was held in 2012, and in 2019 UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed it, to promote the development, diffusion and enjoyment of art.
How it's celebrated
UNESCO invites everyone to join in with debates, conferences, workshops, cultural events and exhibitions, and uses the day to highlight arts education in schools. The founders hoped museums and galleries would stay open late, with exhibitions opening on the same evening around the world. At home, it is a good day to visit a gallery, draw something with a child, or send a friend a picture you love.
Did you know
- Leonardo's grandfather recorded his birth in a family document: 'My grandson was born ... on the day of April 15, a Saturday, at the hour of three in the night.'
- The original proposal was co-signed by delegates from nine countries, among them Liu Dawei of China and Kan Irie of Japan.
- The International Association of Art, which started the day, was founded in 1954 and is an official partner of UNESCO.
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- World Voice Day · April 16, 2027
- World Hemophilia Day · April 17, 2027
- International Day for Monuments and Sites · April 18, 2027
- World Liver Day · April 19, 2027
- UN Chinese Language Day · April 20, 2027