Culturefix 2025: Honoring the Power of Art and Culture in Global Diplomacy

World-renowned artists, designers, and visionaries gather in Washington, D.C., to champion culture as a force for global connection and cooperation.

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, May 19, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Meridian International Center is proud to announce the distinguished 2025 Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Honorees, celebrating the role of arts and culture in advancing U.S. diplomacy and global collaboration. Now in its fifth year, Culturefix brings together leaders across sectors to explore how creative expression contributes to national identity, international trust-building, and global problem-solving.

In today’s competitive geopolitical landscape, culture remains one of the most effective tools to foster mutual understanding, promote dialogue, and reinforce alliances. This year’s honorees—drawn from the fields of visual arts, design, and performance—demonstrate how cultural engagement can support foreign policy objectives and strengthen international partnerships.

2025 Cultural Diplomacy Honorees:

• Sanford Biggers – A leading conceptual artist who describes his process as “conceptual patchworking,” a method of transposing, combining, and juxtaposing ideas, forms, and genres that challenge traditional historiography, provenance, and official narratives to create artworks for a future ethnography. Biggers' work can be found in the collections of major international institutions and his public artwork is on university campuses, in airports, entertainment hubs, and more, speaking to shared values across diverse societies. Biggers has also collaborated with the U.S. Department of State’s Arts in Embassies program, further advancing cultural diplomacy through his deeply resonant visual narratives.
• Mark D. Sikes – An internationally recognized designer whose interiors are informed by a deep appreciation for American style and international craftsmanship. His projects—including work at the White House and Blair House, the President’s official guest residence—reflect the important role of design in cultural exchange and the preservation of tradition through modern interpretation.
• Anna Deavere Smith – A renowned actress, playwright, and educator whose work brings attention to key social themes through a uniquely research-driven approach to performance. Her storytelling has influenced public discourse and demonstrated the power of the arts to inform, engage, and convene.

In addition, the Meridian Global Leadership Award will be presented to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in recognition of his leadership in expanding international sports diplomacy through the NFL’s global presence and cross-cultural initiatives.

“I am thrilled to be a 2025 Meridian Cultural Diplomacy Honoree for the arts,” said Biggers. “As an artist, I invite viewers to reexamine the relationship between historical objects and anecdotes and how they can inform society today, much like Meridian International Center and the Culturefix program engage with broad sectors to foster cultural relationships.”

The Strategic Role of Culture in Diplomacy

For decades, Meridian has worked at the intersection of diplomacy and culture, recognizing that trust between nations is built not only through policy but through people-to-people exchange and shared experiences. Culturefix extends this legacy by honoring those who contribute to the United States’ international profile through creative leadership and innovation.

“At a time when global cooperation is both more difficult and more essential, culture remains one of America’s most effective tools of engagement. Through design, art, and performance, these honorees demonstrate how creative leadership can build international trust, open dialogue, and advance shared interests,” said Meridian’s CEO, Ambassador Stuart Holliday. “Culturefix reflects Meridian’s mission to strengthen diplomacy through the exchange of ideas and the celebration of our common humanity.”

Culturefix 2025 Events

• Culturefix Conversations
o June 5, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
o White-Meyer House | 1621 Crescent Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
o A morning convening of thought leaders, artists, and diplomats examining how the creative sector influences policy, trade, and global influence.

• Culturefix Gala: Global Leadership Award and Cultural Diplomacy Honoree Dinner
o June 5, 2025 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
o Meridian House | 1620 Crescent Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
o The Culturefix Gala honors visionaries who harness the power of sports and culture to connect people, spark dialogue, and strengthen international cooperation.

Media Access & Coverage Opportunities
• Interviews with honorees and guest speakers
• Photo opportunities at panel sessions and the gala
• Access to sessions on arts, diplomacy, and global leadership

For media credentials or more information, contact: Danielle Najjar, Director, Communications & Marketing, Meridian International Center
Communications@meridian.org

Danielle Najjar
Meridian International Center
+1 609-529-4195
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