Day With(out) Art is a holiday observed annually on December 1st, during which art institutions organize programs to raise awareness about AIDS. It is a day to remember those who have died from this disease and to inspire people to take positive action.

This holiday was first created by Visual AIDS in 1989 as a local event but has since become an event observed worldwide. It is a day for people to learn more about the impacts of HIV and AIDS and to remember all those lost.

The History of Day With(out) Art

Day With(out) Art was officially launched on December 1, 1989, by Visual AIDS as a national day of mourning and action in response to the AIDS crisis. Originally conceived as a local holiday, it has, over the past three-plus decades, become a global event observed by people everywhere.

Facts About HIV & AIDS

Below is a collection of facts about HIV and AIDS that everyone should know.

• At the end of 2020, an estimated 37.7 million people were living with HIV worldwide.
• In 2020, 680,000 people died from HIV-related causes, and 1.5 million people acquired HIV.
• HIV attacks and destroys CD4 T-cells, weakening the human immune system.
• The length of time between HIV infection and developing AIDS can vary from person to person but is usually within 10-15 years.

Observing Day With(out) Art

Day With(out) Art is best observed by participating in the movement, first by learning more about it and then by taking action. This day is observed at hundreds of galleries, museums, and by hundreds of arts organizations around the world. People can spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #DayWithoutArt.