2026 United Nations Eco-Design & Art Exhibition

2026 United Nations Eco-Design & Art Exhibition

In-Between: Art & Design for a Sustainable Future

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has now entered a critical stage of implementation. The realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is currently confronted with increasingly complex and interrelated global challenges.

Ecological art and design, as a medium connecting natural ecosystems, social structures, and human values, possesses a unique capacity for ecological education, value communication, and cross-disciplinary empathy. It offers a vital and dynamic pathway for translating sustainable development principles into cultural and social practice.

This exhibition is guided by four core UN Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 16, SDG 3, SDG 11, and SDG 15

Artists worldwide are invited to engage with ecological art through humanistic expression and social responsibility, responding to themes of peace, health, urban coexistence, and ecological preservation.

The programme will take place across Vienna and Turin in August 2026, as part of the UN Art for SDGs framework and the World Eco-Design Conference.

Organised by WECTIA,  this international exhibition brings together emerging artists and designers responding to urgent global ecological and social challenges.

Selected works will be considered for the UN Eco-Design Award, as part of the UN Art for SDGs programme, which supports creative practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The award recognises outstanding contributions in ecological innovation, sustainability, and creative practice.

The programme focuses on four key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being

• SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities

• SDG 15 — Life on Land

About Art for SDGs

Art for SDGs is a United Nations–aligned initiative that supports exhibitions and creative projects engaging with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides a platform for artists and designers to respond to global challenges through visual, spatial, and interdisciplinary practices.

By connecting creative work with themes such as sustainability, public well-being, urban development, and ecological responsibility, the programme highlights the role of art and design in shaping cultural awareness and contributing to sustainable futures.

This Open Call includes three key opportunities:

1. United Nations Exhibition — Vienna
Selected works will be presented within the United Nations Headquarters in Vienna, as part of the official Art for SDGs programme.

2. International Exhibition — Turin
Selected artists will be exhibited at Museo MIIT, Turin, an established contemporary art museum with international curatorial programmes.

Know more about the Meseo MIIT here

AREAS OF FOCUS:

We welcome submissions that engage with one or more of the following themes:

1. Peace & Justice

Exploring social trust, conflict resolution, and inclusive systems.

2. Health & Well-being

Addressing physical and mental health, care systems, and dignity of life.

3. Sustainable Cities & Communities

Reimagining urban coexistence, resilience, and ecological living.

4. Life on Land

Focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and human–nature relationships.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We welcome submissions across disciplines, including:

• Painting, drawing, digital 

• Sculpture and installation

• Photography

• Video and moving image

• Design and interdisciplinary practices

• Craft and cultural heritage practices

All works must be:

• Original

• Created within the past two years

SELECTED ARTISTS WILL RECEIVE:

Exhibition Benefits
Recognition

• Certificate of Participation in the UN Art for SDGs Exhibition

• Recognised as a Sustainability Art & Design Fellow

• Official recommendation letter issued by the exhibition jury

International Exposure & Opportunities

• Inclusion in the global touring exhibition programme, with presentations in Vienna and other international venues

• Recommendation of selected works to international museums and galleries, with support for acquisition applications and curatorial connections

Media Exposure

• Feature coverage across international art media platforms, including Juliet Art Magazine and Metropolis Web

Award Benefits (Selected Winners Only)

Award recipients will receive:

Official Recognition

• Shiyi Art Award certificate and medal

• Enhanced professional credentials for international exhibitions and career development

Exhibition & Collection Opportunities

• Priority inclusion in the global touring exhibition programme

• Direct recommendation to international museums, galleries, and collectors

• Support for acquisition applications and curator / collector connections

• Selected works may receive official museum collection certification (e.g. Museo MIIT, Turin)

International Media Exposure

• Dedicated feature or editorial coverage in leading international art media
  (including Juliet Art Magazine, Metropolis We, and partner platforms)

Organised by WECTIA and co-organised by A4U&Spira9art.

For further inquiries or additional details, please contact us at: info@spira9.art