Nick Cull, in Jamming for Uncle Sam: Getting the Best From Cultural Diplomacy, explains the four major types of cultural diplomacy, which include: the prestige gift; cultural information; dialogue and collaboration; and capacity building.
In criticizing Michael Kaiser, president of the Kennedy Center, Cull states, “[h]e caricatures cultural diplomacy as ‘sending a symphony orchestra to play for a thousand of the most powerful people in the capital of another nation’ and ignores the true breadth and reach of contemporary cultural diplomacy.” This piece is an important reminder that art can be used to raise awareness of different cultures, promote social cohesion, and strengthen intercultural relations. Art used for diplomacy need not be merely “high culture,” but instead be representative of a culture’s many characteristics in order to create connections between divided societies.

Art can be instrumental in shaping the tone and nature of intercultural relations. But it is important that we understand our target audience. Bluntly speaking, I have very little interest in the symphony orchestra, but I enjoy political art exhibits. Different individuals obviously have differing interests. The advantage of a multifaceted culture, such as ours, is that we have many elements we can utilize for diplomacy.

Furthermore, in one of its latest innovative concepts, the Google Art Project allows people all over the world to explore museums from around the world, and view hundreds of artworks at incredible zoom levels. Like never before, individuals will have the ability to explore other nation’s most precious pieces of art and perhaps in this way we can further transformative role art can play in societies.