What does arts and humanities research and practice have to offer in our current socio-political climate? The Urgency of the Arts aims to promote an understanding of the necessity – as opposed to the luxury – of the arts and to create platforms that address the invaluable tools that creative practices can provide in a drive towards developing an understanding of how the powers of creativity and culture can become the most significant agents of change. At a time of increasing violent extremism and climate crisis it is essential that the value and contribution of the arts and culture is recognised as capable of adding an important and timely voice to the shape of things in our world. Through this thinking, we hope to take the question of The Urgency of the Arts beyond the borders of the art and design school and into the world in order to expand knowledge about how we engage creatively for impact and transformation.