Environment

Can creative practice catalyse policy change?

UP Projects aims to combine artistic excellence with social value. But, asks Emma Underhill, can it also influence policy on the important issues of the day?

How to produce sustainable arts projects

With her experience of working across multiple projects, Sarah Fortescue explores how the sector can deliver what they do best, in the best way possible?

Climate emergency: Stories are as important as science

Think back to summer 2022. What do you remember? If Claire Malcolm remembers one thing, it is the fear and foreboding she felt when UK temperatures topped 40C.

Challenging sponsors in a climate crisis

For more than 10 years, Chris Garrard has been active in demanding accountability from some of our major cultural institutions around the ethics of accepting sponsorship.

Environmental sustainability

Arts activism and the earth crisis

In the first of our series looking at activism in the arts, Bridget McKenzie reflects on the relationship between creative practice and environmental activism.

Leeds festival: The environmental hangover

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” So says The Lorax in Dr Suess’s book of 1971. Jack Lowe, an env…

Creativity, culture and capital

Two years on from the launch of an international initiative exploring the creative economy for sustainable development, Fran Sanderson reflects on how impact capital can be a vital…

Reclaiming public spaces

What is placemaking and why is it needed? Maria Adebowale-Schwarte argues it not only creates spaces that are healthier and safer, but it is essential to sustainable development.&n…

2023: A year for squeezing your digital assets

In the fast-changing world of digital, people love to forecast. But rather than focus on the future, Katie Moffat thinks you should look at what you already have to squeeze th…

Sustainable theatre production: case studies

A multiple case study is promoting new ways for theatre to make sustainable productions. Roberta Mock and Siobhan Bauer report on three companies putting the Theatre Green Book int…

Creativity in a time of climate emergency

Just a few weeks before the COP27 climate talks in Egypt, no one credible needs convincing of the climate crisis, but the energy crisis is what’s keeping people awake, says A…

The shift to thrift

The UK’s national celebration of sustainable living – the Festival of Thrift – has celebrated its 10th anniversary with art, music, dancing and tips for thrifty l…

Culture as a global public good

As UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development takes place in Mexico, Stephen Stenning reflects on the vital role the arts play in achieving UN…

Museums must play a role in climate emergency

With the climate crisis worsening, museum professionals are having to put environmental issues at the forefront of their decision-making, writes Veronica Ferrari.

The great escape

A major UK-wide mass participation art project aims to rekindle the curiosity and imagination of school-age children with the rich offerings of museums, as Jo Paton Htay explains.&…

Greening the UK’s theatres

The nation’s theatre buildings are in urgent need of upgrading to make them more sustainable and fit for purpose, argues Jon Morgan.

The ethics of sponsorship

Choosing a multinational oil and gas corporation as the major sponsor of a climate change exhibition sounds like something straight out of 'The Thick of It'. But, says&nbsp…

Where are the red lines on ethical fundraising?

In recent years, as climate change has intensified, so has controversy around fossil fuel funding. Chris Garrard says we must learn from our leading museums’ mistakes.

Tackling the climate crisis

The cultural sector has a role to play in driving the change needed to respond to the climate crisis. But much has been overlooked in the conversation to date, says Lauren Healey.