[ Introduction ][ Mission ][ A Brief History of Space Art ]

ars astronautica is dedicated to developing a cultural dimension to humanity's space endeavors by exploring, reporting and nurturing the arts associated with the exploration and development of the space frontier. Its mission is to communicate the importance of space development as key to its ultimate success as a species.

The breakout into space could well be the single most important event in the history of our planet since the advent of "life" itself. Indeed, the harnessing and development of extraterrestrial space resources may offer humanity its only "optimistic" solution to meeting the growing needs and problems associated with its ever increasing population.

After more than 45 years of space exploration activities there is still insufficient concern about these events and issues throughout society and in the arts.

It is interesting to note that the idea of space exploration began in the mind of the artist. Since then it has been the arts - literature, painting and the cinema that has developed and implanted the vision of a spacefaring species in the public's mind. This has led to broad public support for national space programs. However, most major advances in space exploration and technology have been developed by primarily for political and military purposes. Consequently, access to space and the associated evolution of human society is today dominated and controlled by politicians and their respective interests groups. Space is too important to the future of our species to be left to these interests alone. In fact, the financial problems and reductions that civilian space programs are facing may be a result of having left the public out of this - its greatest adventure.

The arts have an important responsibility to help widen the door of space to all humanity and to keep it open. How space is reflected in the arts will make its benefits known and add momentum to its immediate development. Investing space development and space exploration with creativity and innivation while communicating the importance and the excitement of space development to an eager public will be the responsibility of the space artist as this challenging century unfolds.

As the 21st century progresses, ars astronautica is dedicated to developing a comprehensive and active platform for the exploration and discussion of the issues facing both humanity and the arts as space development continues to gain (or lose) importance throughout society. These issues facing humanity have everything to do with its ultimate survival and well being. Artistic issues include the political, technical and cultural aspects of creating art for, in and about space. These issues will be at the core of our mission.

The information found on ars astronautica will be open to anyone visiting this website. For those who wish to be kept regularly informed of new developments can add their name and e-mail address to our e-mail newsletter list. We welcome the exchange of links with any website related to space and the arts.

For those who want to actively share our vision and mission of developing space art in a contemporary context through discussion, workshops and exhibitions, we invite you to become an associate of ars astronautica.

For more details, please feel free to contact us.

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