Art can provoke new thinking in surprising and novel ways. It can jump beyond statistics and information to engage the imagination, challenge us, or spark hope. We suggest that cultural attitudes and societal habits lie at the heart of changes needed to address global issues such as climate change, social inequities, economic structures, the destruction of our natural world or migration challenges. Art can play a role in global sustainability by creating awareness and shifting entrenched patterns of thinking, expectations and behaviour.
Education today is faced with the task of developing socially and culturally sustainable models in an era where the challenges are global in scope. For arts and culture facilitators questions arise around how to use online spaces to provide engaging international experiences for students and colleagues. How does one share and preserve distinctive cultures and creative contexts when connecting online? And how, on graduation, might arts and media students find a foothold in global economies of artistic production?
Since 2010, students and professors at multiple universities around the world have engaged in meaningful international experiences under the name International Art Collaborations (INTAC). Students work in many mediums, with a focus on photography, video, audio, text-based works, artist books and performance. These enagements have brought together universities located in Finland, Mexico, Canada, United States, Germany, South Korea, Japan and China.
INTAC Sustainability Jam 2025 – From May 17 to June 14, 2025, nineteen participants from nine universities worked together online, collaborating in small groups to select and explore diverse issues related to building sustainable global futures. Peter Sramek from OCAD University in Toronto and Giselle Mira-Diaz from Indiana University Northwest (USA) were the core faculty facilitators.
Participating Universities – 2025:
OCAD University (OCADU), Toronto, Canada
Indiana University Northwest (IUN), Gary, Indiana, USA
Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Finland
College of Dupage (COD), Glen Ellen, Illinios, USA
Autonomous University of Mexico State (UAEM), México State, México
National Institute of Design (NID), Gujarat, India
University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE), Berlin, Germany
Illinois State University (ISU), Normal, Illinois
Student participants – 2025:
Elizabeth van Schaik, TAMK alumna, Finland; Kat Mendonca, OCADU alumna, Canada; Amrita Das, NID, India; Sachin Kumar, NID, India; Brisa Quevedo Jordán, UAM, México; Abigail Svitko, IUN, USA; Nola White, COD, USA; Gnat Djuras, IUN, USA; Badel Batu. UE, Germany; Balquir, UAM, México; Rindy Sutherland, ISU, USA; Vianée Anahil Garcia, IUN, USA; Felipe Sarmiento, OCADU alum, Canada; RJ Filsinger, COD, USA; Marco González, UAEM, México; Alivia Sarkar, NID, India; Daniela Duarte, UAEM, México; Fernanda Beltran Coss, COD, USA; Luis Muñiz, UAM, México.
INTAC
International Art Collaborations
July 17 – August 14, 2025
2015 Dundas Street West
For more information:
Documentation: sustainability.intacnet.org
Website: intacnet.org