We believe that the arts are not a luxury, but a lifeline: they are a force that shapes minds & characters, builds regional & global economies, restores health & supports well-being, preserves & conserves our planet, heals wounds and bridges what divides us.
AREAS OF IMPACT
We work across five interconnected areas where, we have seen, the arts deliver measurable, lasting change.
EDUCATION
WHAT
The arts are education’s greatest equalizer.
We embed the arts into core curricula, not as enrichment but as an essential, ensuring that everyone has a chance to learn, thrive, and lead.
WHY
Arts education contributes to 50 million jobs worldwide.
Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who engage in arts education tend to show 88% higher academic performance, 80% higher graduation rates, and greater motivation to pursue further education.
The arts keep 30% more girls in school.
HOW
Education is the foundation of human progress, yet too often it prioritizes standardization over imagination. The arts unlock the creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills that drive innovation and social mobility. Opus 1 integrates arts into education systems to close equity gaps, accelerate learning, and prepare new generations to navigate complexity with resilience and vision.
Current Initiatives
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
WHAT
The arts power regional & global economies.
We view the arts as a form of technology -- one that equips everyone with creative tools & resources for equitable economic opportunities and pathways to prosperity.
WHY
In the United States, the arts & culture economy contributes $1.2 trillion annually — about 4.2% of GDP — and is growing at twice the pace of the broader economy.
The creative economy currently accounts for 6% of global GDP and is projected to account for up to 10% by 2030
In cultural industries, women make up 50–55% of the global workforce, exceeding representation in sectors like technology, manufacturing, or finance.
HOW
Economic growth alone does not guarantee equity, inclusion, or resilience. The arts expand opportunity by catalyzing innovation, fostering skills for the future of work, and revitalizing communities left behind by traditional models of development. From strengthening local value chains to stimulating tourism and cross-border exchange, Opus 1 uses creativity as a multiplier — unlocking new markets, reducing inequalities, and embedding culture at the core of sustainable development.
Current Initiatives
HEALTH +
WELL-BEING
WHAT
The arts keep us healthy & whole.
We know that acts of art have the capacity to heal, emotionally regulate us, and enhance our physical performance.
WHY
Every $1 invested in arts therapy programs for children or vulnerable populations has been shown to generate $2–3 in long-term social value, including educational attainment, employment, and mental health benefits.
Arts engagement in the UK was linked to £8 billion annually in health and productivity gains.
Hospitalized patients exposed to visual art or music therapy show 15–25% reductions in pain perception and often require less pain medication.
HOW
Health is more than the absence of disease — it is the presence of dignity, connection, and meaning. The arts are proven to reduce stress, accelerate recovery, and strengthen community well-being. Opus 1 brings the arts into healthcare systems, public health strategies, and community interventions to advance holistic health outcomes and reduce systemic disparities.
Upcoming Initiatives
ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY
WHAT
The arts protect & conserve our planet.
We know the arts help foster awareness, value systems, and habits needed for sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
WHY
Communities involved in eco-art programs report up to 60% higher participation in local sustainability initiatives (tree planting, conservation, clean-ups) compared to communities without arts interventions.
Participatory environmental art projects increase pro-environmental behaviors by 20–40% among participants, including energy conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable transportation choices.
HOW
Achieving sustainability is not just a scientific challenge, it is a cultural one. Facts and policies alone cannot shift human behavior — but stories, symbols, and experiences can. Opus 1 deploys the arts to translate data into action, mobilize communities, and preserve both ecological and cultural heritage, positioning creativity as a force that makes sustainability tangible and urgent.
Current Initiatives
AREAS OF
CONFLICT
WHAT
The arts reconnect & unite us.
We've seen the arts heal wounds and help dissolve what divides us. They remind us of our common values as human beings.
WHY
Arts-based interventions improve resilience and healing by up to 35% in conflict-affected populations, offering communities collective pathways to recovery and long-term stability.
Cultural heritage is targeted in over 70% of armed conflicts worldwide, making creative practice vital in protecting identities and histories under threat.
Global agencies like UNDP and others are implementing arts-led reconciliation projects as frameworks for peacebuilding around the world, demonstrating how creative approaches can reduce polarization and foster dialogue.
HOW
In conflict, the collapse of culture and community is as devastating as the destruction of infrastructure. The arts preserve identity, foster dialogue across divides, and help societies process collective trauma. Opus 1 embeds the arts into peacebuilding and recovery initiatives, proving that creativity is not peripheral in crisis response — it is central to rebuilding trust, resilience, and long-term stability.
Initiatives