When is World Art Day?
World Art Day 2027 is on Thursday
Thursday, April 15, 2027
April 15 every year. That's in 180 days.
until World Art Day begins, in your time zone
World Art Day celebrates the visual and creative arts, the people who make them and the freedom to create. Artists proposed it in 2011, and UNESCO formally proclaimed it in 2019, on the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci.
About World Art Day
World Art Day is a day to enjoy art and to think about the role it plays in everyday life. UNESCO describes its aims as encouraging the creation, spread and enjoyment of art, strengthening the links between artists and society, and drawing attention to the variety of artistic expression around the world. The day also highlights arts education in schools and the protection of artistic freedom, two areas UNESCO works on through its 1980 Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist and its 2005 convention on the diversity of cultural expressions.
The idea came from artists rather than governments. At the 2011 General Assembly of the International Association of Art, an international organization of artists, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, Bedri Baykam, head of the group's Turkish national committee, proposed April 15 as World Art Day. Artists from Mexico, France, China, Cyprus, Sweden, Japan, Slovakia, Mauritius and Norway co-signed the proposal, and the assembly accepted it unanimously. The first World Art Day was held on April 15, 2012.
The date honors Leonardo da Vinci, born on April 15, 1452. His work as a painter, sculptor, inventor and scientist made him a symbol of how art connects with other fields of knowledge. UNESCO's General Conference proclaimed World Art Day as an official international day at its 40th session in 2019. UNESCO invites museums, schools, galleries and community groups to mark it with exhibitions, workshops, talks and performances.
Sources: UNESCO: World Art Day, Hürriyet Daily News: World Art Day to be celebrated April 15 (2012). How we check dates.
How to mark World Art Day
- Visit a local museum or gallery; many offer free or reduced-price entry on certain days.
- Spend an hour sketching, painting or collaging, even if you haven't made art since school.
- Look closely at one artwork for ten minutes and write down what you notice.
- Buy a piece from, or share the work of, an artist in your own community.
- Learn about Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, which mix drawings with ideas about science and engineering.
- Set up an art table at home or in a classroom and display everyone's work for a day.
World Art Day dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
| 2026 | Wednesday, April 15, 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, April 15, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, April 15, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, April 15, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, April 15, 2030 |
| 2031 | Tuesday, April 15, 2031 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is World Art Day 2027?
World Art Day 2027 is on Thursday, April 15, 2027. It falls on April 15 every year. In 2028, it is on Saturday, April 15, 2028.
Why is World Art Day on April 15?
April 15 is the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452. The International Association of Art chose him as a symbol of creativity across many fields.
Who started World Art Day?
The International Association of Art adopted the idea at its 2011 General Assembly in Guadalajara, Mexico, after a proposal by Turkish artist Bedri Baykam. UNESCO proclaimed it an official international day in 2019.
Is World Art Day a public holiday?
No. World Art Day is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.