Issues such as social exclusion, poverty, the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, political polarisation, and humanitarian emergencies form a long list of global challenges that humanity must address. In this era of profound societal transformation, one of the many roles of the arts is increasingly seen as essential to building a sustainable future.
Socially engaged arts challenge all of us—artists, educators, researchers, students, and institutions—to take part in this work, Kai Lehikoinen emphasizes. He works as a university researcher in the University of the Arts Helsinki in Finland.
Artistic thinking and creativity are needed in trans-professional collaboration to solve complex problems.
Today’s societal challenges are increasingly complex and require creative and open-minded approaches. According to Lehikoinen, socially engaged arts offer a space for dialogue and collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
“It is precisely through such encounters that new perspectives and solutions emerge—both locally and globally.”
Lehikoinen sees socially engaged arts as part of the third mission of universities: contributing to society. He encourages higher arts education institutions to collaborate with diverse stakeholders— not only within the arts sector but also with actors in social services, education, environmental work, and the economy. In these cross-sectoral encounters, art can act as a catalyst—bringing hidden perspectives to light and opening up space for new solutions to complex societal challenges.
Diversity as a strength
Contemporary society often prioritises quantity and competition over meaning and cooperation. Socially engaged arts can offer alternative ways of thinking for higher arts education institutions.
“By adopting socially engaged arts practices, institutions can resist the dehumanising effects of neoliberalism while reinforcing their commitment to societal and educational transformation—one that matters to all people, non-human life, and the planet,” Lehikoinen says.
As a counterbalance to polarisation, we need spaces where discomfort is accepted as a resource, says Kai Lehikoinen.
In socially engaged arts, human diversity is a source of inspiration and strength. Cultural, social, and individual differences are not seen as obstacles but as opportunities to deepen dialogue and understanding. The inclusive nature of socially engaged arts can strengthen social cohesion, human development, and contributes positively to planetary well-being.
Beyond aesthetic expression, socially engaged arts can also serve as a tool for liberation and identity empowerment, fostering critical awareness and resisting structural injustices.
From emotional intensity to embracing difference
Lehikoinen’s book also addresses the emotional intensity often associated with social activism, which is also sometimes present in higher arts education.
“Emotions can be a powerful motivator for action, but intense negative emotions may lead to polarisation, oversimplified conclusions, self-censorship, and retrospective censorship, silencing critical artistic dialogue,” Lehikoinen notes.
As a counterbalance, we need environments where discomfort is accepted. Lehikoinen refers to education scholar Gert Biesta, who calls for spaces where differing perspectives can constructively challenge one another.
Lehikoinen points out that we live in a time when a small group of people exercise disproportionately large power through wealth and influence. Therefore, it is essential that civil society engages in collective reflection and the search for solutions. Participatory, socially engaged art practices can generate meaningful initiatives, strengthen inclusion, and support the resilience of democracy—thus countering the narrowing of public discourse and ensuring that all voices are heard in shaping our shared future.
“The potential of socially engaged arts is immense, but realising it requires long-term commitment, collaboration, and a shared vision from art universities and funding bodies. The time to act is now,” Lehikoinen says.