Arts + Social Justice

Where creativity sparks awareness.

The arts nurture understanding

Arts for All champions the power of the arts to inspire dialogue, celebrate our differences and strengthen community. Through programs that uplift all voices, explore all identities, and bring artists and audiences together in meaningful collaboration, we activate the arts for social impact.

Arts snapshots

Learn how the arts empower at UMD.

Sadat Arts for Justice and Peace Competition winners luncheon performance

Did you know?

You can submit your original work in the categories of poetry, music composition, chamber music ensemble, visual art and film as part of the annual Sadat Arts for Justice and Peace Competition. Housed in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the competition encourages students to explore themes of peace and reconciliation. In 2024, Arts for All began its partnership with the Anwar Sadat Chair for Justice and Peace.

Apply for the 2026 competition

Harriet Tubman Day

UMD’s Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies commemorates Harriet Tubman Day each year on March 10. The event brings together scholars, artists and activists to celebrate the legacy of Harriet Tubman and frequently features Ernestine “Tina” Wyatt, Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece and a UMD alum. Arts for All is proud to support this important event.

Learn more

Did you know?

In 2024 and 2025, Arts for All commissioned two artists to lead murals at Maryland Day. Visual artist and LGBTQ+ activist Lisa Marie Thalhammer joined guests of all ages to paint a "Love for All" mural in 2024. Painter and ceramicist Hana Ward’s mural offered community members the opportunity to paint and write their intentions in 2025.

Watch a video featuring Ward

A student in a red UMD hat paints a community mural.

What is Arts for All?

Arts for All, a campuswide and presidential initiative at the University of Maryland, celebrates everyone’s creativity. We connect disciplines, create opportunities for arts-based research and activate artistic experiences at UMD and beyond.

Watch our video

Join the community at the Indigenous Futures Lab.

A hub for Indigenous research, evaluation and relationship building, the Indigenous Futures Lab offers weekly opportunities, including numerous arts-based projects. Learn more about the lab from its director Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner, who is a 2024–25 Arts for All Faculty Fellow and assistant professor in the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Watch the video

Did you know?

In 2024, Arts for All partnered with the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, TerpsVote, the College of Arts and Humanities, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and the Maryland Democracy Initiative to create a voting booth display. The pop-up helped Terps make a voting plan ahead of the General Election.

Learn more about VOTE (Fearlessly)!