THE ART OF 
INNOVATION

In 2008, a bold and visionary idea took root—one that would shape the landscape of contemporary art, design, architecture, technology, and sustainability across the globe. The New York International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS), in partnership with the Saphira & Ventura Gallery (SVG), the Home Gallery Franchise (HGF), and its media and entertainment division SVmeta, launched a groundbreaking program to unite the creative industries with innovation, culture, education, and environmental responsibility. 

As our curator Alcinda Saphira clearly stated: 

“At the heart of our organization, contemporary art is a catalyst for social transformation and sustainability—honoring ancestral roots while fostering a global dialogue for a more just and conscious world.” 

This vision guides every exhibition, project, and initiative we present across the globe. 

The seed of this vision was planted during an inspiring journey through Brazil alongside the renowned filmmaker and artist David Lynch. During the launch of his book "Catching the Big Fish" and a promotional tour for Transcendental Meditation, we shared long, meaningful conversations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. It was during these moments—especially a quiet conversation on the edge of a sidewalk at the Rio de Janeiro airport—that Lynch offered a powerful suggestion: 

“Tell your art stories like cinema, through a different color of art.” 

That creative spark became the foundation of NYICAS. 

When we returned to New York, that simple yet profound idea took shape into an innovative formula. It was the beginning of a cultural movement—one that would not only honor tradition but also embrace the future. From then on, the spirit of cinematic storytelling infused every project we touched. 

As the esteemed Peter Drucker once said: 

“All effective innovations are astonishingly simple. The greatest compliment to innovation is someone saying, ‘That’s obvious—why didn’t I think of it?’” 

Seventeen years later, NYICAS and its affiliated institutions continue to inspire global audiences by empowering artists, architects, designers, filmmakers, and technologists— those at the heart of the creative industries who are also champions of sustainability and social progress. Through exhibitions, documentaries, lectures, and summits, we’ve created a vibrant platform for stories that matter. 

Our legacy includes: 

• Cultural summits at the G20 in Italy and Brazil, and at the COP conferences in Egypt and now in Belém for COP30 (November 2025). 

• The first-ever educational cinema-art summit merging art, public debate, and global leadership. 

• Exhibitions in major cities across the world, reimagining the roles of architecture, design, and education. 

• A unique blend of artistic journalism—free from political influence—focused on truth, peace, neurodiversity, and social impact.