Sichuan, China © Unesco/ C. Michel

In all fields, the main emphasis is given to artistic education and to the encouragement of artists' networks in which non-governmental organizations and international exchanges involve millions of creative persons, artists and performers all over the world. The UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of the Arts, the Organization’s support for festivals and the tools supplied to artists and political decision-makers, including a number of websites, are a clear indication of its firm commitment to the arts. World Watch on the Status of the Artist, containing the most recent data on the state of national legislations, has been developed jointly with ILO.

The Organization’s main partner in the field of music is the International Music Council (IMC). Its principal tool is the Music Education and Career Prospects Directory, an interactive reference work with links to help young musicians on the threshold of their careers.

In the field of drama and theatre, UNESCO's principal partner is the International Theatre Institute (ITI). The ITI/UNESCO World Theatre Directory online, a tool for international cooperation in theatre, reflects the great diversity of the world's performing arts. Under this cooperation several programmes are being developed such as: ITI/UNESCO Chair "Theatre and Culture of Civilizations", Training and Workshops, International Meetings and Publications.