Anna-Laura
Culture for Impact is an annual recognition by the Museum for the United Nations - UN Live to celebrate cultural initiatives that unleash the power of popular culture to address major societal challenges and inspire positive change.
Exploring the power of comics and art, we would like to highlight the work of Anna-Laura Sullivan. Originally from Nebraska, now living in bustling Brooklyn, she is a traditional artist and graphic novelist. Her work recognises the magic in the mundane, offers reminders of cosmic nostalgia, and celebrates presence. She has gathered an audience of over half a million sweethearts on social media through pint-sized parables. In her latest watercolour comics project, she intentionally decided on a children’s book aesthetic to create a sense of relearning and gentle understanding.
Sharing her motivations and intentions in a conversation with UN Live’s Head of Comms and Lead Curator, Annesofie Norn, she talks to us about her process. Let’s get into it!
Annesofie Norn: What does it mean to you and your comics to get highlighted on the 2024 Culture for Impact List?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: Being highlighted on the 2024 Culture for Impact List is a profound honour. I do my best to try and tell meaningful stories, whether it's whimsical, humorous, or poignant, and being acknowledged in this way reinforces that these stories resonate beyond entertainment. I wouldn’t have this recognition without the incredible kindness and reception I’ve been blessed with from the internet. It means the world because it reminds me that what we create, even from the smallest corners of the internet, can make an impact. We can lift each other up. It’s a huge motivation to keep dreaming big, remain authentic and connect with people in ways that matter. Thank you to everyone who’s cheered me on—this is for us!
Annesofie Norn: What do you believe is the power of popular culture to change hearts and minds?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: Popularity is sort of another word for collective consciousness. The more popular something is, the more inclined people are to pay attention to/see what all the hubbub is about. Ideas are living things and attention is the animating force. By strengthening compassionate ideas we nourish the cultural landscape. Ideas are the house our future resides inside.
Annesofie Norn: What drew you towards using comics as a platform to spark positive change?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: Comics have always been a delightful language for me. They're playful, sweet, and expand the longer you sit with them—similar to poetry. I have also found that cuteness and nostalgia act sort of like a “trojan horse” to soften viewers to be more open to sentiments of self-love and better days. Those messages can be hard to ingest in the thick of suffering, and I’m speaking from experience. Information is not enough for illumination, we must use every tool available: colour, shape, line, music, words—to express these crucial messages of hope.
Annesofie Norn: What is the impact of your initiative?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: I’m incredibly proud of the work that I’ve done, I’m humbled by the response it has received—there is undeniably a mysterious magic at play that I am immensely grateful to be a part of. I think what I feel proudest of is the community that has gathered who uplift and encourage each other. It’s what the internet was meant to be, it brings me to tears. I try not to set myself up with too much importance, but I try my best to provide something I believe to my core is worthy and honest. Then I cast comics out into the ether. Little bottled messages bobbing in the digital sea. If I can provide even a minute of comfort in someone’s lifetime, I will feel the work I do is worth it.
Annesofie Norn: Can you share a couple of examples of when you experienced that your initiative made a real impact on someone?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: I have had moments of such deep, profound resonance that to try and put them to words would be a disservice to the experience. When someone reaches out to me through the art I’ve drawn but belongs to us both—it feels like homecoming in the deepest sense of the word.
Annesofie Norn: What are you hoping that others can learn from your initiative, and what is your dream for the initiative?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: I have been told many times, by many well-meaning people, that I should not be an artist. They were trying, in their own way, to protect me from heartache. Quietly, and for myself, I knew I had no choice but to keep creating. It was as essential as sleeping or eating—a necessity for living a healthy life. If there’s anyone out there who feels inadequate to create, please know this: the only reason you need to express yourself is your desire to do so. Together we are celebrating the mystery of aliveness. Art is going into your heart, reporting back, rinse and repeat. I always think of this quote from Ram Dass, "I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion—and where it isn’t, that’s where my work lies."
Annesofie Norn: Core to UN Live is building empathy and global belonging, how do you see your initiative building on that?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: Vulnerable art is my way of throwing myself out there again and again to discover what is unbreakable within me. It’s a painful process, but one worth undertaking. In that sense, it’s very much like love. Each work brings fresh insights—not just into myself but also into others. Empathy, to me, is the courage to transform our darkness into fertile soil where seeds of mutual understanding can grow.
Global belonging—what a beautiful phrase! Its scale almost overwhelms my logical mind, but in my heart, my true centre of intelligence, it feels undeniable. Belonging is not about building something entirely new but rediscovering what has always been there—a familiar home. I want to offer reminders that there is much more love and kindness out there than you could ever imagine.
Annesofie Norn: At its simplest, what is your message for the world?
Anna-Laura Sullivan: The present moment is the greatest time of your life. Love as true as you can. See everything as sacred-including yourself.
We are so thankful to Anna-Laura for sharing her thoughts and experiences with us! You can learn more about her art on her website.
The selection criteria for the Culture for Impact list
The selection criteria prioritize innovative cultural initiatives addressing societal challenges and fostering change:
Culture Innovation: Initiatives that demonstrate a pioneering or significant application of popular culture to address societal challenges or promote positive change.
Genre Diversity: Inclusivity across a spectrum of cultural genres, showcasing a diverse range of creative expressions and innovative approaches.
Topic Versatility: Recognition of initiatives that address a wide array of topics and issues, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of cultural genres.
Global Inclusivity: Emphasis on initiatives that contribute to cultural impact on a global scale, promoting inclusivity and representation from various regions around the world.
Dual Impact Approach: Acknowledgment of initiatives that have achieved significant reach while also recognizing the nuanced impact of smaller-scale efforts that contribute profoundly to cultural change.