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Adelaide Festival has announced the lineup for the 2022 Climate Crisis and the Arts Forum, a free one day event at Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden on Friday, March 11. The inaugural event will feature talks from some of Australia’s most influential artistic voices and environmental activist who will discuss creative opportunities to educate and inspire communities for climate action.
The curated panels are designed to be a catalyst for artists and arts organizations, as well as anyone who is interested in climate action in their local community. They will discuss the role that the arts play in driving urgently required environmental change.
To date, 44 local and international activists have confirmed their support for the program, including:
- Damon Gameau – Filmmaker (2040), author, and environmental educator
- Rona Glynn McDonald, a proud Kaytetye woman from Central Australia, who founded and is CEO of Common Ground
- Tiahni Adson – Tiahni Adamson, First Nations youth environmental activist and coordinator of Seed
- Berish Bilander – composer and musician, CEO of Green Music Australia
- Sharni Hon – creator of the award-winning traveling backyard festival series The Porch Sessions. She is also co-director at Summertown Studio
- Jess Scully, author, arts curator, and Deputy Lord Mayor for Sydney
- Alison Tickell, founder and CEO of Julie’s Bicycle (live streaming from the UK).
Adelaide Festival Artistic Directors Rachel Healy Neil ArmfieldAdelaide Festival was the first major Australian arts festival to become carbon neutral in 2020. We invite all to come along and see how arts patrons and workers can both be examples of environmental responsibility and how they can help build a sustainable future.
Beatrice Jeavons, Climate Crisis and the Arts producer said: “The greatest global challenge we face today is the climate crisis. But it’s also a chance to work together and create a better tomorrow. Climate change is everyone’s problem and although it is difficult not to feel overwhelmed by the urgency, there is so many amazing ways to tackle this issue head on. I am confident that the arts and culture sector will play a significant part in inspiring us, highlighting solutions, and mobilizing collective climate action.
The forum is one of five Adelaide Festival events sponsored by the UK/Australia Season, which is a partnership between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Council. The Season is a major cultural exchange that aims to strengthen and develop cultural connections between the two countries. It centers on the theme, “Who Are We Now?” It encourages reflection on our history, exploration of our current relationships, as well as imagining a better tomorrow together. The Season is held in Australia from September 2021 – March 2022, and in Great Britain from September 2021 – December 2022.
Helen Salmon, Country Director Australia at the British Council, stated that collaboration across disciplines and the use of new technologies to increase capacity and innovation is a key focus for the UK/Australia Season. Our programme is artist-led and climate was one the four key themes that emerged from our grant funding process. The arts and culture sector will play an important role in communicating the urgency surrounding the climate crisis. It is essential that we reimagine and create better worlds with the help of our artists’ ideas, insights, and dedication. We are delighted to partner with Australia Council on this event which demonstrates our shared commitment for action and sustainability. Future goals and developments will be informed by this event.
Alison Tickell, founder and CEO of Julie’s Bicycle, stated that the climate crisis is a cultural crisis. Herein lies the answer. What we do now to adapt to this massive challenge really matters. Australia’s creative community is already generating the collective purpose and commitment to action, as well as the integrity that we so urgently require. Julie’s Bicycle is honored to be part of this momentous occasion.
Jade Lillie is the Head of Industry Development for Australia Council. She stated: “The Australia Council is thrilled to partner with British Council in support of this initiative through the important UK/Australia Season Partnership. It is important that we have discussions about the role of arts and cultural sectors in responding to climate change and addressing the future challenges of environmental sustainability.
Dr Ian Overton, Chief Executive of Green Industries SA, said that Green Industries SA is proud to partner again with Adelaide Festival because of their strong commitment towards a more circular economy as well as to reducing their carbon footprint. We value this partnership because of the large audience that the festival attracts. This partnership with Adelaide Festival allows us to continue connecting this audience to the belief that a circular economic system is one of most effective and efficient ways to address the problem of climate change.
