As part of an ongoing programme engaging with arts centres and strategically funded organisations (SFOs), which make up part of Ireland’s Cultural & Creative sector—Native Events, Julie’s Bicycle Europe and The Green Arts Initiative Ireland hosted a Networking Event in partnership with the Arts Council at the Irish Architectural Archives surrounding climate action. This was a peer-to-peer knowledge sharing event for the Arts Council funded organisations. We were thrilled to welcome organisations like The Abbey, Dublin International Film Festival, Music Network and Wexford Arts Centre, to name a few.
Photograph by Mark Stedman
Last year the focus of this training contract with the Arts Council was providing guidance on climate policy and environmental action plan creation. This was a chance to help participants develop a deeper understanding of the science surrounding climate change, learn practical techniques and strategies to reduce their carbon footprint, evaluate the environmental implications of their work whilst also equipping them with the tools needed to champion sustainable practices within their world of work and beyond.
This year’s focus has been connection: networking, peer to peer knowledge sharing & exchange, explored through four in-person networking events around the country, starting with our event in Dublin; as well as monthly drop in clinics which create an opportunity for feedback from Climate Experts. From our sustainability summit, REALISE, which we hosted in April bringing together Ireland’s Cultural and Creative sector, it became evident there’s many silos of knowledge that exist within climate action. We’ve seen first hand that creating space for peer to peer knowledge exchange is significantly beneficial and vital to ensure we’re continuing the conversation around climate and the arts. Learning from our peers in regards to climate action is beneficial, helping to create a sense of hope whilst also providing different perspectives on the issues we’re facing.
The Dublin networking event was a great example of the appetite from arts centres and SFO’s across Ireland to keep the conversations surrounding sustainability and climate action in motion and on the agenda. Having members of the Arts Council present during this event such as the Creative Arts Director, Stephaine O’Callaghan; and Programme Delivery Manager, Elaine Doyle, was a great addition to the day.
Photograph by Mark Stedman
(Stephaine O’Callaghan, Brecken Byron, Noreen Lucey, Claire Buckely – Julie’s Bicycle UK, Megan Best, Catriona Fallon – Green Arts Initiative Ireland / Native Events / Julie’s Bicycle EU, Sinead Wallace – The Lir Sustainability Manager, Elaine Doyle – Programme Delivery Manager)
At Native Events we are constantly exploring how we can make events and activations such as this networking event more sustainable and climate friendly. For this we were intentional with the catering service we hired. We went with catering company Luncheonette. Luncheonette has wonderful sustainability initiatives, including locally sourced ingredients and providing a fully vegetarian lunch to lower our carbon impact. We also worked together to ensure no single use plastic was used for serving or consuming food and beverages. In order to also limit building energy usage we reviewed the room set up to focus on mainly using natural light for this networking event.
Photograph by Mark Stedman
Through gatherings such as these we are able to provide as well as gain perspectives regardless of what stage someone is at on their sustainability journey. With these varying perspectives collectively we can then see what sustainable initiatives can be put into practice.
The Arts Centres and SFOs involved shared enthusiasm for climate action within their institutions. Many recognised and acknowledged the role that arts and culture can play within the climate crisis. Across these institutions, key areas of shared needs for advancing their climate action journeys included financial support, educational resources, and an overall enhanced capacity and need for resources when implementing relevant policies and strategic plans. Also the challenge surrounding their ability and flexibility to implement climate related upgrades to buildings was highlighted, especially for heritage buildings.
Connection and collaboration, as demonstrated by gatherings like the Dublin Climate Networking Event, are crucial for reaching climate policy and environmental action plan goals efficiently. Here at Native Events we look forward to continuing to host such networking events and workshops to help cultural institutions identify collaboration opportunities and creative space for collective progress in their climate action efforts.
