Over a century ago, the Bauhaus school implemented a holistic teaching philosophy that treated artistic creation as an integral part of life’s social and historical fabric. Their regard for art as a catalyst for democracy echoes the ideas of American philosopher John Dewey. Dewey believed that art expands perception necessary to formulate new concepts that can elicit societal transformation. I, too, believe that thoughtful art and design have the potential to be socially engaged acts, and therefore I encourage the full power and individual responsibility of artistic creation. ‘Art saves Lives’ is the tagline on the website for a community arts project I developed and directed in Ethiopia. The message disseminated by students through theatre, music, and mural painting provided the education necessary in combatting the AIDS crisis and preventing more deaths.