Let’s Change Culture: What Could the Role of Art be?
Welcome to the next instalment of our "Let's Change Culture" series, where we explore the vital role of art in responding to the climate emergency. Art has the power to inspire, mobilise, and bring communities together, making it a crucial tool in our collective effort to address the environmental crisis.
A group of over 60 creatives across the city contributed to the development of this series through a consultation process with The Art and Energy Collective supported by Plymouth Culture.
This collection is intended to be added to - So please feel free to add links or comments below to support each other to grow and develop.
In this blog, we'll delve into how you can align your personal or company vision for your arts practice with the changes you want to see in the world, and explore various ways creatives can contribute to climate action.
Aligning Vision with Action
Reflect on Your Vision
Consider your personal or organisational vision for your arts practice. How does it align with your ideas of the change you want to see in the world? This alignment is crucial for creating impactful work that resonates with both your values and your audience.
Discuss as a Team
Agree as a team on your view of creativity in the context of the climate and ecological emergency. What role do you believe art should play? How can your collective creativity contribute to raising awareness, inspiring action, and fostering sustainable practices?
Creativity for exploration, research and innovation.
Often people forget that creatives can play an essential role in developing new knowledge. As we journey through the obscure, unclear and dark, trying to find a way to live differently in our world, creative pursuits can play an essential role in trialling, imagining, testing, exploring what ifs and innovation.
Empowering Communities Through Art
Involvement and Amplification
Creatives have a unique ability to empower communities by involving them in the artistic process, amplifying their voices, and providing tools and resources for collective action. Grassroots approaches can build momentum for change from the ground up.
Examples of Empowerment
Community Art Projects: Collaborative murals, installations, and performances that address local environmental issues.
Workshops and Skill-Sharing: Offering workshops on sustainable practices, such as upcycling, mending, and gardening, to equip communities with practical skills.
Serving Community Needs
Use your creative skills to serve the needs of your community:
Making and Mending: Create spaces where people can learn to make and repair items, reducing waste and fostering a culture of sustainability.
Testing and Growing: Collaborate on community gardens or urban farming projects that promote local food production and biodiversity.
Celebrating and Sharing: Organise events and festivals that celebrate environmental achievements and share knowledge on sustainable living.
Improving Wellbeing: Use art to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing, helping communities build resilience in the face of climate anxiety.
Innovation in Communication
Leveraging Digital Platforms
Innovative communication tools and digital platforms can help overcome resource limitations and reach broader audiences with climate messages. Consider the following:
Social Media: Use platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube and TikTok to share compelling visual stories and engage with a global audience.
Interactive Websites: Develop websites with interactive features that educate and engage users on environmental topics.
Virtual Reality Experiences: Create immersive VR experiences that allow people to explore climate impacts and solutions in a compelling and accessible way.
Emerging Technologies: Experiment with augmented reality (AR), AI-driven art, and other cutting-edge technologies to create new forms of engagement and storytelling.
Embracing Innovation and Experimentation
Overcome inertia and inspire action by embracing a spirit of innovation and experimentation in your work. This may involve:
Exploring New Formats and Genres: Experiment with different artistic formats and genres to find fresh ways of conveying your message.
Challenging Norms and Conventions: Break away from traditional norms and conventions to spark curiosity and engagement. This could mean combining different art forms, collaborating with unexpected partners, or using unconventional materials.
Art has a profound role to play in addressing the climate emergency. By aligning your vision with the change you want to see, empowering communities, leveraging innovative communication tools, and embracing experimentation, you can make a significant impact. Let’s use our creativity to not only raise awareness but also to drive meaningful action towards a sustainable future.
Stay tuned for more insights and stories in our "Let's Change Culture" series, where we continue to explore how the arts can lead the way in addressing the climate crisis. Together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient world.
Research and Articles
"Culture and Climate Change: Narratives"
A collection of essays exploring how cultural narratives shape and reflect our understanding of climate change. This research highlights the role of storytelling and art in addressing environmental issues.
Link: Culture and Climate Change: Narratives
"Creative Responses to Climate Change" by The Climate Museum
An overview of how artists and cultural organizations are responding to the climate crisis through various forms of art and activism. This research provides case studies and practical examples.
"Art, Climate Change, and Public Awareness" by The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA)
This research examines the impact of art on public awareness of climate change and the effectiveness of various artistic approaches in promoting environmental sustainability.
Courses
For those interested in the intersection of art and environmental issues, Devon offers a range of courses and educational programs. These courses provide opportunities to explore how art can address climate change, sustainability, and ecological themes. Here are some notable courses in Devon:
Dartington Trust: Arts and Ecology MA
Dartington Trust offers a Master of Arts in Arts and Ecology, a unique program that explores the relationship between artistic practice and ecological thinking. The course combines theoretical and practical approaches, encouraging students to develop creative projects that engage with environmental issues.
University of Plymouth: Sustainable Art and Design Courses
The University of Plymouth offers several undergraduate and postgraduate courses that integrate sustainability and environmental themes into art and design education. These courses focus on sustainable practices, eco-friendly materials, and the role of art in promoting environmental awareness.
Exeter College: Art and Design Courses with a Sustainability Focus
Exeter College offers a range of courses in art and design that incorporate sustainability and environmental themes. Students are encouraged to explore how their creative practices can contribute to addressing ecological challenges.
Arts University Plymouth: Short Courses and Workshops
Arts University Plymouth offers a variety of short courses and workshops that explore the intersection of art, climate change, and sustainability. These programs are designed for both beginners and experienced artists looking to deepen their understanding of eco-art practices.
Plymouth Marjon University: MA Arts, Health & Wellbeing
The arts have a crucial role in our health and wellbeing. On the MA Arts, Health and Wellbeing at Marjon, you will work with experienced practitioners, guided by cutting edge research, to explore how different creative practices can be delivered in diverse community contexts to support the health and wellbeing of people and society.
Podcasts
"The Art of Climate Change"
A podcast that explores the intersection of art and climate action, featuring interviews with artists, curators, and activists who are using their creative talents to address environmental issues.
Listen on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts
"Climate Queens"
Hosted by two Irish environmentalists, this podcast covers various aspects of the climate crisis, including episodes focused on the role of art and creativity in driving change.
Listen on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts
"Outrage + Optimism"
Produced by Global Optimism, this podcast features inspiring stories and discussions about climate action, often highlighting the role of cultural and creative initiatives in fostering sustainability.
Listen on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Books
"Art and Climate Change" edited by Maja and Reuben Fowkes
This book explores the ways in which contemporary artists are engaging with climate change, offering insights into the strategies and themes that characterize their work.
"Art and Energy - How Culture Changes" by Barry Lord
In Art & Energy, Barry Lord argues that human creativity is deeply linked to the resources available on Earth for our survival. From our ancient mastery of fire through our exploitation of coal, oil, and gas, to the development of today's renewable energy sources, each new source of energy fundamentally transforms our art and culture―how we interact with the world, organize our communities, communicate and conceive of and assign value to art. By analysing art, artists, and museums across eras and continents, Lord demonstrates how our cultural values and artistic expression are formed by our efforts to access and control the energy sources that make these cultures possible.
By exploring these resources, tools, research articles, podcasts, books, and workshops, you can gain a deeper understanding of how art can contribute to addressing the climate emergency. Use this knowledge to inspire and inform your creative practice, helping to drive meaningful action and change. Stay tuned for more insights in our "Let's Change Culture" series, as we continue to explore the powerful role of the arts in fostering a sustainable future.
Remember! This collection is intended to be added to - So please feel free to add links or comments below to support each other to grow and develop.