From art to action

This study presents an innovative pedagogical experience from a transdisciplinary undergraduate course on sustainability, taught for over a decade to students in business, public administration, law, economics, and international relations. The course, titled Integrated Education for Sustainability (FIS), places subjectivity and personal experience at the center of learning. Grounded in the belief that art can foster transformative education, the course integrates multiple artistic languages—including painting, theatre, sculpture, music, and dance. In one semester, students were invited to develop an art exhibit addressing the need for Brazilian agriculture to adapt to climate change. Through this creative process, they engaged critically and emotionally with sustainability themes. Based on photo-elicitation interviews, five key learning outcomes were identified: students gained deeper understanding of sustainability, developed responsible management competencies, enhanced their capacity for action, built meaningful relationships, and expanded self-awareness. The findings highlight how artistic practices can play a vital role in management education by engaging the whole person and supporting transformative learning in the face of ecological challenges.