Public Engagement on Climate Change – The Role of the Cultural and Creative Sectors
In 2019 the Creative Ireland Programme began looking at how the cultural and creative sectors could play a greater role in public engagement on climate change.
In 2019 the Creative Ireland Programme began looking at how the cultural and creative sectors could play a greater role in public engagement on climate change.
We began with a report which included
THE OPPORTUNITY
The creative and cultural sectors are a powerful conduit for public engagement. It is our culture that shapes how we interact with our environment through:
So we concluded if climate change requires culture change, who better to work on this challenge that the culture and creative sectors.
PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to “Support Creative Ireland in engaging the public on climate change through the creative and cultural sectors initiative.(p88)
In response to the Programme for Government, a workshop was organised jointly by the Creative Ireland Programme and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in Nov 2020. Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Eamonn Ryan lent their support to work in this area.
An audience of 70 people drawn from policy makers in Departments and agencies working on climate change and representatives from the broad arts, culture and creative sectors (including heritage. architecture and design) discussed the possibility of collaboration.
Examples of recent projects were presented to bring the concept to life including Lough Boora Sculpture Park, Co.Offaly, An Urgent Enquiry: Dublin, Fingal & Wexford County Councils and Recent Irish and International examples.
A number of insightful points were raised and discussed, including:
More videos from the workshop.
In 2021 it is intended to launch a fund to support innovative projects where the culture and creative sectors engage the public on action around climate change.
Featured Image Credit: WESTERN FLAG (SPINDLETOP, TEXAS) Irish artist John Gerrard exhibited at UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) Madrid and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary.