INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW OF ART, ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Within the framework of the MEDDTL’s actions in favor of culture and ecology, the COAL association has been mandated to carry out an international inventory of “Art, ecology & sustainable development” initiatives and to organize the first multi-stakeholder workshop in France, bringing together international organizations, artists, cultural actors, French institutions, NGOs, associations, scientists, and companies, in order to analyze and share the best French and international initiatives in this field, to identify the sector’s expectations, and to define a strategy of action on the theme in France

BACKGROUND

Culture, ecology and sustainable development: an international dynamic

Internationally, institutions, public cultural policies, art centers, artists, communities, are mobilizing on the theme of ecology and sustainable development, around resource centers, research groups and actions, exhibitions, festivals, symposiums, residencies, and implement real strategies of action.

In this acceleration of initiatives, France has so far been very discreet, despite its two major assets: a strong ecological culture and a dense artistic and cultural life.

ISSUE

Initiate a cultural and artistic approach to ecology and sustainable development

a. Develop the cultural expression of a social project:
– Promote a sensitive expression, accessible to all
– Empowering individuals to participate
– Giving cultural actors a key role in the animation of the project

b. Promoting ecology as a creative theme:
– Raising awareness and mobilizing artists on the theme of ecology
– Produce cultural projects on the theme of ecology

c. Spreading ecology as cultural “background noise”:
– Integrate sustainable development in the initial training of cultural sector actors
– Create platforms for exchange and knowledge between the two worlds
– Promote the integration of sustainable development in cultural actions and productions

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

– Identify and analyze the best initiatives, organizations, exhibitions, research centers, territorial actions dedicated to art and ecology, in France and abroad
– To allow the main international, European and French organizations to meet, to share their experiences and to design a common project.
– To define the “specifications” for a specific action in France, taking into account the needs and expectations of very different stakeholders: companies, NGOs, local authorities, institutions, artists, art centers, foundations, research centers, etc.

>> CONSULT THE STUDY

The second part of the study (A selection of artists’ projects and a French and international directory of the best initiatives) can be consulted in the “NETWORKS” section.

See also THE ABSTRACTS OF THE ART, ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP, MARCH 30 AND 31, 2011 – NATIONAL NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM