Let’s Change Culture - Developing an environmental or climate vision for an arts organisation
Developing an environmental or climate vision for an arts organisation involves defining the long-term aspirations that reflect your commitment to sustainability, and how this will shape your operations, programming, and community engagement.
In this blog for the Let’s Change Culture Series, we will be exploring how arts organisations can develop an environmental or climate vision.
Some arts organisations have the capacity to invest time and resources into taking a methodical approach to developing such a vision which can inform strategies and policys. (Many don’t!).
Many creatives have an instinct to respond to the climate emergency and make a pledge or commitment but find they don’t have the resources or capacity to do much more. (Some haven’t quite seen that everything we do either contributes to the climate emergency, or helps change culture for the better).
Other organisations find that their vision for bringing about a better world develops more organically.
The Art and Energy Collective was founded for the primary purpose of exploring how we can “use our creative skills to respond to the climate emergency” and when we started, we saw transforming our energy systems as the essential thing that could help humans avoid climate catastrophe. Hence the name, and hence all our work in all its ways deals with these issues…..We didn’t have a vision statement, we didn’t have an environmental policy, we weren’t measuring carbon emissions, but we were most definitely values-led, aware of what we were doing, learning, considering, acting, developing our practice and hopefully supporting lots of others (collaborators, commissioners, audiences, participants etc) along the way.
It is very helpful however to have been asked….many times (By Exeter City Futures, The School for Social Entrepreneurs, UnLTD and other training bodies as well as countless funders) what our organisations vision, mission, purpose and values are. Each time, it feels like the refining process a) helps us re-consider and understand ourselves better, b) helps us communicate to eachother and others better, and c) helps shape what we do and how we do it.
In 2021 we were invited by Plymouth Culture to evaluate and better understand what we were doing and we produced our creative development framework - Our Compass. Which is somewhere between a statement of our values, and what we’ve discovered works, It is a manifesto if you like, and is somewhat like a policy or strategy too. Every new project that we work on has been put through the filter of Our Compass to help convince us that it’s the right work to do.
Needless to say with every year that goes by, we learn more and our practice evolves. Indeed, our ‘vision’ has evolved somewhat too. We have espressed it as ‘A Brighter Greener Future’, We often talk about it in simpler terms ‘A Better World’. We are beginning to say things life ‘Our low carbon future will be alive with art’….Basically what I’m saying is - it’s pretty much impossible to find perfect words - we can just try to find good enough words to express where we’re at!
Now, our current ‘About us’ statement says:
The Art and Energy Collective is a group of artists, makers, thinkers and tinkerers who want to use our skills to respond to the climate emergency. We are winners of the Sustainability First People's Choice Art Award!
We specialise in designing mass participation artworks that help people connect with nature and empower individuals to take their own artistic steps toward making a brighter, greener world.
Our last mass-participation project Moths to a Flame involved over 58,000 people from 12 countries, making an artwork for COP26.
We believe that engaging in creative processes helps people develop essential skills to navigate life’s challenges.
At their core, all art forms are inherently low-carbon practices. Our vision for a sustainable future is one where art thrives, enriching a world in harmony with the environment.
and Currently Our Compass includes 12 elements:
Act in the face of Climate Change. Have courage to make art because it matters, to make the most out of what could be ahead and build resilience to inevitable change.
Develop an energy lens. With increased awareness of energy systems in our environment and in ourselves we change the thinking about where we live locally and globally.
Accept that we are part of nature. We have evolved in nature (we are biophilic) and we rely on it for our well-being and to live within the limits of our energy systems. Nurturing our natural connections, gives us the foundations or roots to heal rather than harm the Earth.
Focus on hope and positivity. We need to lift sights, be optimistic and take risks, build stamina and give oxygen to the possibility of success and positive change ahead.
Find the poetry, the inspiration Be inspirational with allegory, cause curiosity and allow for multiple interpretations and independent restorative or regenerative actions.
Design in the play and the magic for the memory. Bringing joy and playfulness in the process will create memories and meaning. Make objects that people want to live with which can hold stories and be those eco-reminders to share
Encourage independence and empowerment. Activate creatively, increase confidence, craft small simple steps, share skills and give space to people’s ideas. Give people the tools and permission to do it themselves.
Work across sectors and banish barriers. Collaborate for inclusion and diversity. Deepen and enrich experience through understanding different perspectives and partnerships. Most things are interconnected.
Listen to communities and bring people together. A united and greater voice, a chorus for change. Many small voices become more meaningful together. Be guided by those people of experience that know where to start and what is needed.
Experiment and take risks creatively. As artists and project deliverers – experimentation is our business. Build confidence to try new things, develop a reflective practice that allows for failure and renewal.
Understand impact and take on leadership. Accept the role of holding others, sharing, learning together inspiring other organisations across the nation. Take on responsibility and record impact as you go.
Make and mark time to celebrate success. Understand how this connects to the flow of work and inspiration. All partners and collaborators and participants are equally important. Show them appreciation and give them all space and time to gain from the experience of taking part.
We recognise that all creatives and arts organisations are on their own unique and important journey in response to the world massive challenges and that ours is only one approach, but we’ve had a think, and we think that it is important to consider what your vision is for your work, what are you trying to achieve, and how does climate change intersect with that?
Our work with David Sergeant at the University of Plymouth exploring Utopia with 6 culture sector organisations has resulted in a publication or tool that you could use with your team to consider what a better world might mean to you. You can find our Utopia Tool here.
In addition to the above, which is our preferred poetic approach, here is an ‘off the shelf’ step-by-step guide to help you develop a meaningful and inspiring environmental or climate vision:
1. Understand the Organisation’s Mission and Values
Align with Existing Mission: Begin by reviewing your organisation's mission and core values. A strong environmental vision should complement your overall purpose. For example, if your organization emphasises community engagement, your environmental vision might focus on empowering local communities to take climate action through the arts.
Reflect on Your Impact: Consider the role your organisation plays in the arts ecosystem and how your activities (exhibitions, performances, productions, workshops) impact the environment. Recognise your responsibility as both a creator and a model for sustainable practice.
2. Assess Current Environmental Impacts
Audit Your Practices: Conduct an environmental audit of your organisation’s operations. Identify areas where you have a significant environmental footprint—energy consumption, material use, waste generation, travel, etc. Understanding where you currently stand will help you set a meaningful vision.
Engage Stakeholders: Include staff, artists, and audiences in the assessment process. Their insights on your organisation’s environmental practices will be valuable in shaping the vision, and their buy-in will make implementation easier.
3. Research Sustainability in the Arts
Look at Best Practices: Study how other arts organisations are addressing environmental issues. Review case studies, articles, and reports from organizations that have successfully integrated sustainability into their practices. This can inspire your vision and help identify innovative approaches.
Explore Global Frameworks: Consider aligning your environmental vision with global sustainability frameworks, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 13 (Climate Action), or other environmental initiatives within your country or region.
4. Engage in Visioning Sessions
Hold Workshops or Discussions: Bring together key stakeholders (leadership, staff, artists, and possibly even your audience) for visioning sessions to explore what an environmentally sustainable future looks like for your organisation. Use these sessions to brainstorm ideas, express hopes for the future, and explore how environmental values can be integrated into your mission.
Ask Key Questions:
How do we want our organisation to contribute to environmental sustainability?
How can we reduce our environmental impact without compromising artistic quality?
What role do we want to play in educating and engaging the public in climate issues?
What does success look like in 5, 10, or 20 years in terms of environmental impact?
5. Define Core Themes and Principles
Select Key Focus Areas: Based on your brainstorming and research, identify the core environmental themes that are most relevant to your organization. Examples include:
Sustainable Materials: Prioritising eco-friendly, low-impact materials in art production.
Carbon Neutrality: Committing to reducing or offsetting carbon emissions from your operations.
Circular Economy: Reducing waste by reusing, repurposing, or recycling materials.
Climate Advocacy: Using your platform to raise awareness of climate issues through your programming.
Community Engagement: Engaging your audiences in climate action through artistic initiatives.
Craft Guiding Principles: Articulate the guiding principles that will steer your decision-making processes. For example, “We will prioritise eco-friendly materials and support artists who share our commitment to sustainability.”
6. Craft the Vision Statement
Incorporate Aspirational Language: Your vision should be inspiring, forward-thinking, and align with the core themes you've identified. It should paint a picture of the future you're working toward.
Keep it Clear and Actionable: Make sure the vision statement is clear enough that all stakeholders can understand and act on it. Avoid overly vague or abstract language.
Example Vision Statements:
“We envision a future where the arts lead by example in combating climate change, fostering creativity through sustainable practices, and inspiring our audiences to take collective environmental action.”
“Our organisation is committed to becoming a carbon-neutral institution by 2030, creating art that respects the planet and empowers communities to respond to the climate crisis.”
7. Ensure Organisational Buy-In
Share the Draft Vision: Circulate the draft of the vision statement among staff, leadership, and key partners. Make sure it resonates with all levels of the organization and aligns with the day-to-day realities of your work.
Encourage Feedback: Allow for feedback and discussion to refine the vision statement and ensure it feels achievable and motivating for everyone involved.
8. Set Clear Goals to Support the Vision
Translate Vision into Action: Once the vision is agreed upon, set specific, measurable goals that will support the achievement of this vision. For example, if your vision is to become carbon-neutral by 2030, goals might include reducing energy consumption by 30% over the next three years or implementing a zero-waste policy.
Integrate with Strategy: Incorporate your environmental vision into your overall organisational strategy. It should influence decision-making across all areas of operation, from production to community engagement.
9. Communicate the Vision Externally
Publicly Announce Your Vision: Once finalized, share your environmental vision with the public. Include it in your mission statement, on your website, and in marketing materials to signal your commitment to sustainability.
Incorporate into Brand Identity: Ensure that your environmental vision becomes a core part of your brand identity. It should be reflected not only in your communications but also in how you engage with artists, audiences, funders, and partners.
10. Regular Review and Adaptation
Revisit the Vision Periodically: As environmental challenges and opportunities evolve, revisit and revise your vision as needed. Ensure it continues to reflect your organization’s aspirations and remains relevant to new developments in sustainability and the arts.
Celebrate Milestones: As you achieve specific goals that align with your vision, share these successes with your team and audience. Celebrating achievements will keep momentum and motivation high.
Key Considerations:
Sustainability Must Be Authentic: Ensure that the vision reflects genuine commitment and not just surface-level actions. This will build trust with your audiences, collaborators, and funders.
Scale Your Vision to Your Capacity: Your vision should be bold but achievable, taking into account the resources, expertise, and networks available to your organization.
Inspire Action Beyond the Organisation: Consider how your vision can inspire and engage artists, partners, and the wider community in sustainability efforts. Your role as an arts organisation can extend beyond your direct impact to creating wider environmental awareness.
With a well-crafted environmental vision, your arts organisation can make sustainability an integral part of its identity, helping to contribute to broader climate action while continuing to produce impactful, meaningful work.
Here is an Environment and Climate Policy and Strategy Template which you are welcome to use.
In our Let’s Change Culture series, we’re keen to learn from eachother. What is your experience of developing doing this sort of work? What has worked for you? What advice would you give others?