Established in 2007, the UNESCO Chair in Arts and Learning at the Faculty of Education connects Queen's to an international network of universities that supports UNESCO's work in education, the natural and social sciences, culture, and communication. Dr. Ben Bolden has served as the UNESCO Chair since 2016. Through international partnerships, research, teacher education, and community initiatives, Ben helps shape new approaches to teaching and learning that inspire curiosity, imagination, and meaningful change in classrooms and communities worldwide.
The Chair brings together teachers, researchers, and community to explore how learning in and through the arts can support creativity, cultural understanding, and social and environmental sustainability. This work contributes to global conversations on arts education and aligns with UNESCO priorities for culture and education, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, strengthening the capacity of education systems to engage learners through the arts and inspire transformative learning.
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Dr. Bolden is an active composer of choral music. Listen to his recent composition "If We Can Be Anything" and explore more musical compositions and performances on his webpage