Connecting Cultures - Foundation for the Arts, Interdisciplinarity and Research (F.A.I.R.) and Social enterprise, promotes sustainability through art and design. Sustainability is a multifaceted and complex issue and one that resonates in contemporary culture. At Connecting Cultures, we strive to find new and inclusive solutions to today’s issues of sustainability – issues that we, as active global citizens, feel it is our duty to address. Who We Are Founded by Anna Detheridge, a writer on the arts, journalist and teacher, Connecting Cultures has at its core an ability to think and act purposely, following an intellectual model that synthesizes input from diverse points of view. The arts and particularly design and fashion design have an appeal and an emotional impact on individuals the world over so why not work with artists and designers seeking new roads to understanding the complex issues of our times. Knowing is not necessarily understanding, but the feelings and sentiment evoked by the arts can be a direct call to action and to providing new and imaginative solutions. Milan has a long been an international reference point for art, fashion and design. We find inspiration in Milan’s rich history and strong industrial drive. What We Do At Connecting Cultures, we focus our resources on: • Increasing awareness and appreciation of issues of sustainability • Building awareness in local communities of the need for sustainability and the importance of art, culture and urban spaces • Inspiring local communities, rendering them more “aware” • Spreading empowering ideas of inclusiveness through art and design We do this through: • Publishing papers on thought leadership • Offering educational courses • Curating exhibitions and cultural projects • Conducting research • Organizing conferences, seminars, workshops and other special events • Maintaining a Visual Arts documentation archive of over 6,000 volumes open to the public