CIWEM ARTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

AIM
As part of our commitment to widen public understanding of the challenges to our planet, we will be launching a major new strategic initiative during 2007. Our core aim is to connect the arts community and environmental professionals to explore and promote the relationship between the arts, science, technology, business and the environment, as a means of enhancing understanding and fostering collective action.

OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of CIWEM's Arts and the Environment programme are to promote and harness the arts as a means of:
• Changing and informing individual and societal attitudes to the environment
• Engendering a better understanding of environmental affairs and sustainable lifestyles
• Engendering a sense of personal and social responsibility and care for the environment  
• Inspiring and motivating individuals and communities to acquire the skills, knowledge and attributes necessary to protect the environment
• Breaking down the barriers between art, environment, science and technology so that they can mutually support and inform each other
• Encouraging collaboration and partnerships through the development of projects and programmes between practitioners in the arts, environment, science and technology
• Fostering and maintaining public awareness of environmental issues by showcasing those artists whose work addresses key messages about the environment and sustainability  
• Developing long term relationships with institutions, organisations and individuals that share CIWEM’s vision

CIWEM’S POSITION STATEMENT
CIWEM understands that people do not always respond positively to dire messages of global warming and dwindling natural resources. An unremitting focus on the magnitude of today's environmental crises can sometimes prompt feelings of helplessness, resulting in further detachment from nature, rather than stimulating a call to action. In using the arts to drive home key environmental messages in a more inspiring and creative way, eco-artists can both create socially relevant art that explores and experiments with society’s values and encourage wider public engagement in sustainability and stewardship of the natural world . Art can challenge and refine our perceptions, awaken our sensibilities and persuade us to review and renew our relationship with the environment.

PROJECTS
We know that policy and good intentions are not enough so CIWEM has begun to act in earnest, promoting new practical collaborations between key players in both the arts and environmental worlds. CIWEM’s Arts and the Environment programme includes a number of projects, such as an eco-fashion show on World Environment Day 2008, photographic display, linking with art education organisations on climate change projects and investigating the possibility of an environmental BBC Prom. We will be developing new initiatives over time, as this is a long term programme for CIWEM, and not a quick fix.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE – LAUNCH ON 10 OCTOBER 2007

Arts and the Environment is an important new strategic direction for CIWEM which will be launched on 10 October 2007 by incoming CIWEM President David Rooke, Head of Flood Management at the Environment Agency. Wednesday 10 October is Arts and the Environment Day at CIWEM's  Annual Conference, The Global Environment 2007. Following the conference sessions at The Brit Oval Conference Centre, London, there will be an evening launch party for Arts and the Environment in the Millbank Lounge of City Inn Westminster. 
 
We will set out a more detailed strategy and action plan for CIWEM’s members and will use the conference to identify those who are keen to work with us to develop our programme over the longer term.

PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS

We have already secured the interest and involvement of a number of key figures from the cultural and environmental sectors, including:

Michaela Crimmin, Head of Arts and Ecology, Royal Society for Arts
Tom Trevor, Director of Arnolfini
Clive Adams, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Natural World
David Haley, Manchester Institute for Research and Innovation in Art and Design
Vanessa Bone, Arts Consultant, Creative Cultures
Nicholas Serota, Tate
Tessa Jowell, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Gus Casely-Hayford, Executive Director, Arts Strategy, Arts Council
Cynthia Pannucci, Founder/Director of Art & Science Collaborations, Inc. NYC
Crafts Council
Dr Daro Montag, RANE, University College Falmouth
Royal College of Art
Dr Frances Corner, Head, London College of Fashion
Peter Fend, Artist
Sam Bower, Director of greenmuseum.com
Eden Project
Jeff Higley, Director of Landscape and Art Network
Anti Apathy
Free Form
Platform
Satish Kumar, Schumacher College
Dave Pritchard, freelance arts & environment specialist