Notes of Steering Group of the Arts and Environment Network

Held at 15 John Street, London on Thursday 3rd July 2008 at 2pm

Present: Vanessa Bone (Chair) – Creative Culture
Emily Doyle (ED) – CIWEM
Nick Reeves (NR) – CIWEM
Dave Pritchard (DP) – Freelance
David Haley (DH) – MMU
Mark Fletcher (MF) – Arup 
Erika Yarrow (EY) – WEM Editor
Chris Shirley-Smith (CSS) – Water Works UK
Alastair Moseley (AM) – WSP
Michaela Crimmin (MC) – RSA
John Hartley (JH) - Arts Council England (guest)
In Attendance: Lauren Goozee (LG) – CIWEM

1. Apologies

David Rooke, Daro Montag and Eileen Woods

2. Notes on previous meeting including accuracy and action points

Accuracy:
Correction on page 4 – Yorkshire Water’s ‘artist in residence’ should be ‘photographer in residence’.  With this correction, the notes were agreed.

Matters arising:
MC reported on RSA and their work on Arts and Ecology, set up as a research project in 2005.  RSA has recently agreed that the project should now be established as a centre: re-launched with a new website, branding and full time staff.  It was agreed that there should be reciprocal web links between CIWEM’s AEN and RSA’s Arts and Ecology centre.  MC also reported that RSA are planning an Arts and Ecology day in 2009 and have sent a survey to 2,500 people who have already expressed interest asking for their views.   Results will be made available at next AEN meeting.
ACTION: MC to send a copy of the survey to the steering group members for their participation

It was noted that in the previous meeting the steering group agreed it would gather case studies of artists working on water and environment projects to be used as examples on the CIWEM website.  MF reported that the Textus project, a collaboration between Arup and artist Peter Coates, would be a good example.  MC informed the group that RSA already has a database of project case studies on the Arts and Ecology website. It was suggested that CIWEM and RSA should consider creating a joint database.
ACTION: MF to pass to ED the Arup article on Textus to post on the CIWEM website
ACTION: ED and MC to look into a joint case study/project example database

DP noted that the question of who constitutes the CIWEM Arts & Environment Network (beyond the Steering Group) was still somewhat vague, and that people may be uncertain how to know whether they were a part of it or not.  The construct is quite different from CIWEM’s “Panels”.  Minutes of Steering Group meetings would be available on the website to all; but something like a quarterly e-newsletter could go to a list of people with an interest, and that (evolving) list could constitute the Network.
ACTION: ED to propose a suitable process for operating an e-newsletter and Network list

The idea of drafting collective responses to key issues such as Eco-towns was discussed (between CIWEM, RSA and Arts Council England).  NR noted that in Policy Positions Statements (PPS) and consultation responses CIWEM promotes sustainable development and creative thinking, and is now trying to reflect the AEN vision in both verbal and written responses where appropriate.  It was agreed that the group should draft a stock paragraph or two that could be included in consultation responses and other documents.  NR stated that the response should come from CIWEM rather than the AEN.  It was agreed that Eco-towns would be a good issue to start with.
ACTION: Steering group to work on stock paragraphs for inclusion in responses to consultations
ACTION: VB agreed to send article by Nicholas Falk, of URBED, to members and JH

3. AEN Guest John Hartley, Arts and Ecology Strategy Officer: Arts Council England - ideas for collaborations

JH reported on the recent work of Arts Council England.  This includes two broad work areas
1) creative insights – demonstrating values in ecological change and
2) practical responses e.g. the Arts Energy online toolkit – self -assessment for arts organisations to help them implement an effective energy management programme (see www.artsenergy.org.uk).  This might feature as part of future funding agreements for arts organisations supported by ACE.  Other examples include Julie’s Bicycle and the work on greening London’s theatres, and the DCMS carbon foot-printing exercise for 14 of its Non Departmental Public Bodies.

JH also reported on the Arts Council’s work with RSA on Arts and Ecology and discussed the pilot programme ‘Interact’ - which explores and supports the unique role of arts practice within the wider creative industries through a series of regional placements for up to 28 artists. Through this programme the Arts Council will be able to explore how artists work in industry contexts and look at the methodology for collaboration.  It was noted that ‘Interact’ could provide some examples of best/improveable practice and lessons learned, which could be of benefit to the Network. It was also suggested that the idea of lessons learned could be included in the 2009 CIWEM Annual Conference, with the possibility of a workshop based on ‘Interact’ and Creative Insights.

It was noted that there is often a big difference between the world views of the artist and those of the industry sector, and that CIWEM is in a position to engage with both sides. It was suggested that the Arts Council could draft a questionnaire to send to both artists and people in industry to gather information on the different viewpoints. The importance of the use of an intelligent and well-informed intermediary to broker work between artist and industry was highlighted. Academic research can often make good progress too, from a “neutral” perspective.

JH informed the Group about ACE’s current discussion with the University of the Arts on how arts, industry and academia might collaborate, and cited the example of a study to compare the Thames and the Brahmaputra rivers.
ACTION: JH and MF to swap examples of good practice, look at the legacy of the pilot scheme, and report back to the Steering Group.

4. Update on CIWEM projects and new contacts

Photographic Competition: ED has been in discussions regarding the possible future sponsorship of the competition, and is also looking to develop the competition by raising the quality of the photos entered by encouraging professional photographers to enter.  CIWEM is still keen, however, to keep the competition inclusive, through the under 21s category and amateur photographs will be accepted. 

The 2008 competition closes on 31st July. There will be a private view launch of the 2008 competition at Mile End Park on 17th September.

Fashion Show: ED informed the Group about various initiatives regarding a green fashion show in 2009 or 2010, including the potential for collaboration with CCANW over fashion and textiles.

British Council: ED raised the possibility of CIWEM collaborating with the British Council on the “Darwin 200” and “Darwin Now” initiatives, also involving the Natural History Museum and the artist, Lucy Orta. The British Council is also inviting expressions of interest for the design of a games package, The Future City Game, to develop understanding  in UK and overseas audiences about making cities better places for the future.
ACTION: ED to pass on details to the group on The Future City Game

Cape Farewell: ED informed the group that there is an opportunity for CIWEM to sponsor an artist going on the next Cape Farewell voyage. The artist could then become CIWEM’s artist in residence: this requires finding 7.5K funding for September, or looking to getting involved for 2010.  . There is also an opportunity for AM to join the voyage if sponsorship can be raised.

The Sunken: A novelist has approached CIWEM asking for support of their novel about Climate Change entitled ‘The Sunken’.  The steering group should contact ED for more details. 

Annual Conference: ED informed the group the call for papers has now been sent out and that this year art will be integrated throughout the programme. ED explained that the AEN has a small budget to invite speakers.

It was noted that there is now a good list of on-going projects, and that the list is likely to be ever-expanding. It was suggested the steering group should discuss its role in taking these ideas forward, and which kinds of project should take priority.  Priority could for example be determined by: the quality of the project; how strongly it promotes CIWEM’s arts and the environment vision; whether it stimulates development of new ideas or practices; the geographical balance of projects supported.
ACTION: all to email ED/VB with any further thoughts on principles and purposes for the Steering Group’s consideration of specific projects in future, and this issue to be reviewed at the next meeting

5. Singing for Water update

CSS and AM held a meeting with Wateraid prior to the AEN meeting to listen to some selected music from a shortlist of composers. Two composers will be asked to provide more material before one composer is chosen to work on the Song for Water. The song will be premiered on 26th April 2009 at the Birmingham Symphony Hall. The music will then be distributed to adult choirs throughout the UK.

Possible funding options were discussed. It was suggested that money raised at the forthcoming ecological musical ‘Ocean World’, to take place on 12th July at the Ladywood ARC, Birmingham, could be allocated to the Singing for Water project.

It was suggested that in addition to the Birmingham concert, the song could be performed at concerts in Northern and Southern Britain, and/or as part of the RSA Arts and Ecology day. The possibility of allowing branch members to listen to the Birmingham concert via an electronic link was also suggested.

It was noted that the collaborative process of developing this project would be an interesting topic for a WEM article.
ACTION: EY to consider a WEM article on how the Song for Water was developed
ACTION: CSS and AM to continue to work on Song for Water and follow up points raised at this meeting

6. WEM – future features

EY circulated a list of future features and welcomed input/suggestions of additional topics.  EY explained that rather than dedicating a special issue to the topic, Arts and the Environment is now integral to the magazine.
ACTION: EY to circulate details of copy deadlines to the steering group
ACTION: All to email EY with further suggestions for items in WEM

7. Next Steps and Future Activities

It was suggested that the group should email ideas for future activities to be discussed in the next meeting. ACTION: All to email ideas of future activities to add to the future activity list

VB circulated a document on Tipping Point, an organisation that brings together artists and scientists to explore climate change and the creative agenda. VB asked if the group would consider supporting the initiative in some way. It was agreed that at a minimum the organisation could be cited as an interesting example on the CIWEM website, but other possible opportunities could be explored.
ACTION: VB and NR to arrange a meeting with Tipping Point to discuss possible opportunities

8. Any Other Business

CSS raised the issue of GNP being a major stumbling point for sustainability, and the idea that governments should be implementing a sustainability index rather than GNP to measure development.  A collaboration with the New Economics Foundation was suggested.

9. Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 15th October, hosted by Arup, Fitzroy Street, London.
ACTION: ED to circulate suggestions for the date of the subsequent meeting.