Call for Papers & Presenters 2025 World Public Art Conference United Nations

Call for Papers/Presenters

2025 World Public Art Conference at United Nations

Deadline 1 August

Conference Overview:

The 2025 United Nations World Public Art Conference features expert global perspectives on the burgeoning and impactful field of public art, presented on the UN platform and designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogues between academics and practitioners from around the world.

• Theme: “Connection—Art for the Public”
• Format: Keynote speeches, thematic presentations and open dialogues
• Participants: leading scholars and experts from the international public art field and higher education institutions, as well as government officials, museum directors and curators from cultural institutions. 
• Discussion Topics: Focusing on key topics such as cultural diversity and sustainable development, the conference will generate and facilitate discussions on innovative artistic endeavors, the social value of art and global trends in public art, with the aim of exploring approaches and strategies that advance the realization of UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Host Organizations: 

• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR-NYO)
• Shanghai University 

Organizing Institutions: 

• International Academy of Arts (IAA)
• Institute for Public Art (IPA)
• Shanghai University International Institute of Public Art (IIPA)
• Shanghai Public Art Cooperation Center (PACC)

Date: December 3, 2025

Venue: United Nations Headquarters Meeting Room, New York City

Conference Objectives:

• Establish a global network for exchange and collaboration, bring together expertise from the global public art community and sharing international research achievements in public art;
• Under the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), explore sustainable approaches to public art in addressing societal issues, such as urban development, cultural preservation, ecological conservation, poverty reduction, and equitable education;
• Analyze emerging trends in the field of public art internationally, mobilize collective efforts by global stakeholders addressing the future of shared public spaces, and contribute to building more peaceful, inclusive societies. 

Theme Interpretation:

• Main Theme: Connection—Art for the Public

1. Addressing the United Nations’ sustainable development philosophy, the conference aims to explore pathways and approaches public art can effectively address two core challenges of sustainable development: balancing the needs of humanity; and the environmental health of the planet; and improving socio-cultural development. 

2. Presentations will investigate how public art and artists can serve to deeply connect humans with nature, individuals with one another, bridge cultural divides, spark dialogues and foster cross-sector collaborations, understanding and inclusivity.

3. Presenters will share practical experiences and theoretical insights on how public art advances the goals of societies around the world, such as valuing cultural diversity and inclusiveness, fostering social cohesion and advancing the principles of sustainable development.

Call for Papers/Presenters:

We cordially invite artists, scholars and experts from the field of public art internationally, as well as policy makers, curators and other professionals to submit expressions of interest in the form of speech abstracts for the 2025 United Nations World Public Art Conference. Submissions should pertain to one of the following four themes: 

Theme 1: Connection | Public Art Explores Multicultural Values

• The social role of art (its contributions to urban development, cultural preservation, ecological conservation, poverty reduction, equitable education, etc.)
• The relationship between art and society (exploration of values)

Theme 2: Action | Innovative Practices in Public Art

• Successful cases studies of applying new technologies and concepts
• Best practices from various countries, cities, and institutions around the world 

Theme 3: Co-Creation | Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in Public Art

• Case studies on community-engaged, interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations 
• Innovative cases and promising examples of integration between AI and art in public space 

Theme 4: Trends | Public Cultural Policies and Developments

• How different policies across countries and regions support the development of impactful public art
• Analysis of current trends in the development of public art across various countries, regions, cultures, etc.

Submission Requirements for Speech Abstracts:

• Originality requirement: Submissions must be original and unpublished in any other conferences or journals
• Length of presentations will be limited to 10 minutes. 
• Content requirements: Title, main text (including purpose, methodology, results, conclusion) and keywords. The main text should be between 300-500 words.
• Submission format: Submit your abstract in Word or PDF format.
• Optional: Submit one or two images that would accompany your presentation, as well as links to websites relevant to the subject.

Abstract Evaluation:

All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the organizing committee of the 2025 United Nations World Public Art Conference for approval.

Accepted abstracts will be selected for presentation, contingent on subsequent receipt and approval of full text draft (in October). The evaluation criteria include:

• Topic relevance: Clearly aligned with the theme and falls within the scope of public art.
• Research value: Goes beyond superficial observation to offer novel or underexplored insights.
• Methodological approach: Clearly articulate the research methodology or teaching framework.
• Key insights: Evidence-based concrete conclusions with practical value for the audience.（The audience for the conference includes practitioners in the field of public art, allied professionals and the general public interested in public art.）
• Writing organization: The text is clear, professional, and logically rigorous, with visual materials enhancing comprehension.

Benefits to Authors

• Authors of papers accepted but not selected for oral presentation will have their papers included in the 2025 UN World Public Art Conference Proceedings (bilingual Chinese-English edition)
• Authors of papers accepted and selected for presentation will receive:

1. Publication in the 2025 UN World Public Art Conference Proceedings (bilingual Chinese-English edition)

2. Designation as Conference Presenters with in-person speaking slots

3. Global dissemination of recorded presentations via the United Nations website and in major media directed at international art organizations.

Abstract Submission 

To register for the event, please complete the following info and send it in an email back to us. 

Primary Author/Presenter Information

• Name
• Photo (you)
• Company/Academic Institution 
• Job Title 
• Phone
• Email
• Bio (max 100 words
• Abstract Details 
• Abstract Title     
• Abstract (300-500words)
• Key Words

Contact conference organizers via e-mail: IIPA@oa.shu.edu.cn

Key Milestones:

• 1 August 2025: Deadline for abstract submission
• 8 August 2025: Notification of shortlisting 
• 1 October 2025: Deadline for submission of full paper draft
• 3 December 2025: United Nations World Public Art Conference

Note: On-site attendees may be required to pay a registration fee. Additional details and other updates will be sent to your specified email address. If you have any questions, please contact IIPA@oa.shu.edu.cn.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix: Introduction to Host and Organizing Institutions

1. Host Organizations:

• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR-NYO):

Established in 1963 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, UNITAR is a direct subsidiary of the United Nations committed to enhancing global governance effectiveness and empowering member states to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

UNITAR  website: https://unitar.org

• Shanghai University:

Shanghai University is a comprehensive research-oriented university administrated by Shanghai Municipality and co-established by the Ministry of Education and the Shanghai Municipal Government. It is a key institution under China’s “Project 211,” a high-level local university in Shanghai and a university included in the “Double First-Class Initiative.”

Shanghai University website: https://www.shu.edu.cn

1. Organizing Institutions:

• International Academy of Arts (IAA):

Affiliated with UNITAR, the International Academy of Arts (IAA) is a project implementation body committed to fostering global citizenship and cultural diplomacy through arts, culture, and social research.

IAA website: https://www.iaarts.org/

• Institute for Public Art (IPA)

The Institute for Public Art (IPA) is an international research platform and think tank, an NGO that gathers and shares information and research outcomes related to public art. IPA provides a platform for international dialogue and collaboration, a network serving to strengthen and advance public art research worldwide.

IPA website：https://www.instituteforpublicart.org

• Shanghai University International Institute of Public Art (IIPA):

The International Institute of Public Art (IIPA) at Shanghai University is an academic research institution that leverages the university’s multidisciplinary strengths. Guided by the concept of “place remaking,” it promotes the global flourishing of public art, builds an international network for research and exchange in public art theory, and contributes to the development of a global think tank for public art studies.

IIPA website：http://www.sh-iipa.com

• Shanghai Public Art Cooperation Center (PACC)

The Shanghai Public Art Cooperation Center (PACC) is an academic knowledge service platform under the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. It aims to facilitate the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s outstanding traditional culture, applying academic knowledge to serve society. It functions as a project implementation body advancing social progress and exploring innovative education mechanisms.

PACC website：http://www.ipublicart.com