Art for the Future
Bhutan | Art for the Future - VAST Bhutan | 2024
Kuzuzangpo la!
We are VAST Bhutan, a youth-led movement using art as a powerful tool for environmental awareness and child rights advocacy. In 2024, we launched Art for the Future: Mindful Creation Celebrating Our Environment and Children, a campaign to inspire young people to use creativity for social change, promote environmental sustainability, and celebrate child empowerment. Our mission? To nurture a generation of conscious artists who use their creativity to shape a better future for Bhutan and beyond.
-
8 to 32 years old
-
The Right-Sized Problem
Environmental awareness remains low among youth, and creative expression is often overlooked as a tool for advocacy. Many schools lack structured programs to integrate arts and sustainability, limiting children’s ability to express their ideas and solutions. Without creative engagement and community support, the link between art, education, and environmental protection remains untapped.
What did we do?
Over six months, we engaged students, local leaders, and creative communities through interactive art workshops, exhibitions, and advocacy events.
Offline Impact
🎨 Art Workshops in Five Schools – Students from four schools in Thimphu and one in Gelephu explored mindful artistic creation focused on the theme “The Future We Want”.
🏛️ Outdoor Art Exhibition – Displayed student artwork in public spaces, giving children a platform to express their vision for a sustainable future.
🗣️ Engagement with Local Leaders – Invited Gelephu Dasho Thrompon (Mayor), Thromde, and the municipal body to advocate for art in environmental education.
Online & Media Impact
📱 Social Media & Website Features – Shared campaign highlights and artwork through Facebook, Instagram, and VAST Bhutan’s website.
📰 Press Releases in BBS & Kuensel – Reached a national audience, elevating the role of arts in sustainability advocacy.
📢 Explore Our Campaign Content:
🔗 VAST Bhutan Website
Campaign Impact
80+ students engaged across Thimphu and Gelephu.
Art exhibition created a public platform for child-led environmental advocacy.
Secured partnerships with government bodies & local institutions.
New youth members joined VAST Bhutan, strengthening the creative movement.
One of the most inspiring moments of the campaign was seeing children confidently express their ideas about the environment through art. A young participant shared:
"Before this, I never thought art could change the way people think about the environment. Now, I know my creativity has a purpose."
What’s Next?
We are expanding our creative advocacy movement by:
📌 Scaling up school-based art initiatives on climate and sustainability.
📌 Strengthening partnerships with educators to integrate art into environmental education.
📌 Creating more public art spaces to amplify youth voices.
Follow our journey:
📍 Website: VAST Bhutan
