This introductory chapter frames the book and defines the issues to be raised under the rubric of the new concept of the ‘Aesthetics of Development’. It explores the possible relationships between the arts and development and relates the theme of the book to emerging debates in the area of culture and development. In doing so, it introduces a range of ideas including those of art and sustainability, conflict resolution, the delivery of specific development ‘goods’, the emerging idea of the ‘creative economy’ now being promoted by UN agencies, such as UNESCO and the UNDP, and the relationship of art to theories of development, and especially those promoting more inclusive and integral notions of development from those commonly encountered.