The Christchurch Hub hosted New Zealand’s, and perhaps the world’s first, SDG Art Exhibition to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the SDGs adoption. Combining sustainability and creativity, the exhibition has raised awareness and action towards the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Showcasing 17 works from 17 amazing and diverse New Zealand artists each representing the SDGs and each work was auctioned off. A percentage of profits raised from each artwork went towards SDG-aligned charities. The charities the hub collaborated with include: Keep New Zealand Beautiful, Sustainable Coastlines, City Mission, Women’s Refuge, the Mental Health Foundation, and KidsCan. Throughout the week, families, students, businesses, and everyone in society came to the exhibition to learn about the SDGs and hear more about what they can do to action the goals. When people came to view the artwork they connected to the goals through the artist's story.

The goals of the project were to:

1. Raise awareness for the SDGs in Christchurch through creativity


2. Empower the Christchurch community to act and help the world meet the 2030 target


3. Raise money for good causes

The impact of the project was:

• 10 Global Shapers members participated in this project, through project planning, working with artists, and hosting at the launch party and every day throughout the exhibition


• 150 people attended the opening evening fundraiser


• $5500 raised for charities


• 100% positive feedback from SDG exhibition attendance feedback


• 45% of attendees reported having learned a lot about the SDGs


• 79% of attendees agreed that the SDGs were relevant to the context of New Zealand