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A SPECIAL “OCEANS” PRIZE IN THE COAL PRIZE ART AND ENVIRONMENT 2015

The COAL Art and Environment Prize, dedicated this year to the climate (a national priority in 2015) will be awarded for the 6th consecutive year to an artist selected from 10 finalists, for an art project concerning the climate. The Ocean occupies 71% of the surface of the planet, but is often conspicuously absent from the engagements made by states in climate negotiations. It should be major factor! To place the ocean at the center of the debate, Tara Expéditions et the COAL Association are launching a special “Oceans” prize for the COAL Art and Environment 2015 competition. The winning artist will be awarded a residency aboard Tara during an expedition in the Pacific Ocean.

Special Award “Oceans”

The winner of this special prize will spend a month aboard TARA, a legendary boat built for extreme conditions, during a mission entitled “Coral Reefs Facing Global Change on the Planet.” The expedition will take place from 2016 to 2018 in the Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Coral Triangle of Southeast Asia. The expedition aims to understand the evolution of coral reefs – vital hotspots of marine biodiversity that are currently confronting rapid changes in demography and climate. This special “Oceans” Prize will be awarded to an artistic project engaged in saving the oceans in light of current climate issues.

The COAL Art and Environment Prize 2015 – Objective COP21

Since 2010, the COAL Art & Environment Prize has been revealing the richness of responses brought by artists to address current environmental problems. Each year the awards honor 10 projects related to environmental issues, selected through an international call for projects. This year the COAL Art and Environment Prize is dedicated to the theme of climate – to inspire the COP21, and offer the general public and policy makers highly creative and unusual ways to understand the complexity of climate change.

The winner of the COAL Art and Environment Prize 2015 will receive a grant of 5,000 euros and a residency at the Domaine de Belval, owned by the François Sommer Foundation.

The winner of the special “Oceans” Prize will embark aboard TARA in 2016, during an expedition in the Pacific Ocean.

This sixth edition of the COAL Prize Art and Environment is part of ArtCOP21, an exceptional cultural festival initiate by COAL and our UK partners Cape Farewell, that will take place in France during COP21. ArtCOP21 is an unprecedented collaboration of cultural actors who are keen to instigate an ecological transition towards a healthier environment – through arts and culture. The mission of ArtCOP21 is to engage the wider public in creating a positive vision for a sustainable future.

The call for proposals is open until February 28, 2015, midnight

Download the call for entries

SCHEDULE

Application deadline : February 28th, 2015 at midnight.

The COAL Prize will be awarded in Autumn 2015.

PLAYA Residency Approaching Deadline March 1, 2015

PLAYA’s residencies are open to visual and performing artists, scientists, writers, and individuals engaged in other forms of creative research. PLAYA welcomes a range of applicants–from emerging artists of promise to professionals with an established history of accomplishment.

Residencies are awarded for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks and include housing, work or studio space, and twice weekly group dinners at no cost. There is a $35 application fee for individuals ($70 for collaborative teams) to cover administrative costs.

For more information visit our website at www.playasummerlake.org.

Apply online at http://playa.submittable.com/submit

Applications are now open with a deadline of March 1, 2015.

PLAYA, in south central Oregon, is a retreat for creative individuals who are committed and passionate about their work and who will benefit from time spent in a remote location. PLAYA offers seclusion and quiet in a natural environment and the opportunity for interaction, if desired, with a cohort of residents and the local rural community. A residency provides the time and space to create substantive work or to research and reflect upon one’s creative or scientific processes.

‘Fit to Burst’ to realise the full production of new show ‘Last Night I Met You Dreaming.’

Fit to Burst is a London based theatre company that makes magical shows, with heart, for everyone.

Conceived and directed by Rebecca Tortora and devised by the company ‘Last Night I Met You Dreaming’ is a magical allegory exploring our ambivalent relationship with nature and the dangers of taking too much.

Inspired by the magic realism writer Isabel Allende, the activist and playwright Eve Ensler and the journalist Naomi Klein ‘Last Night I Met You Dreaming’ is a journey into the wild, a warning and a call for connection.

In an absurd mechanical world where nature is suppressed and speed is king a journalist has forgotten how to feel. She is charged with writing about a mountain in ‘The Region’, a lush green place on the verge of collapse. This ancient silver mine, the source of the first global currency and the site of oppression, is to be newly tapped for resources despite warnings that it will implode. When her editor tries to block the story, supernatural forces intervene, her filing cabinets come to life and she is sucked inside. Here she meets Lola, a storyteller, and a host of spirits and mavericks who conspire to unravel the story and unlock her heart.

Screenshot 2014-12-18 23.23.53

‘Last Night I Met You Dreaming’ is a tale of passion, resistance, one woman’s journey to connection and the individual as a microcosm for the world. It asks how can we look at our animal nature? What is the role of that in our destruction of our only home? Can emotional connection help to create a more sustainable future?

In May 2014 Fit to Burst received a grant from Arts Council England to support a one month research and development period. As a result of this they now have a full script, a great story, strong musical/movement and design elements and are ready to go into full production. 

They are booked to premier at exciting London theatre and art space The Bussey Building in July 2015. And are seeking support to make it happen!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/last-night-i-met-you-dreaming

If we don’t raise this money we can’t create the show. We really need your support!

Help us to #makeithappen!

www.fittoburst.co.uk

@Fit_to_Burst

The Holding Ground Conference, March 14-15, 2015 – New York City

The Holding Ground conference will bring together artists of all mediums who are interested in using their creativity to explore the potential of an ecologically conscious society, in a world beyond unsustainable energy practices.

The conference will take place in NYC on March 14-15, 2015. Our emphasis throughout the conference will be on using art as a means to explore place.

We hope that this event will recharge and inspire participants to become “seeds” of alternative consciousness. Yet we are also humbly committed to helping create new connections that persist and sustain well beyond the weekend’s events – to form networks of roots for holding ground.

Weekend Overview:

Saturday Location: The Commons, Brooklyn, 388 Atlantic Ave. (btwn Bond and Hoyt) - 9 AM – 10 PM

morning:

  • welcome & introductions
  • “dérive” walk in which participants will have a unique experience of place by paying attention to details in the landscape that are otherwise often overlooked

afternoon:

  • all participants will have a voice in explaining their dream or current project, being encouraged to focus on ways they might share passions, talents, and experiences with others
  • participants will take part in a series of discussion and interactive sessions facilitated by working artists and artist-activists

evening:

  • we will gather for a concert, art, and the announcement of a new environmental arts award sponsored by New York Loves Mountains

Sunday Location: Textile Arts Center in Manhattan, 26 W. 8th St. (btwn MacDougal and 5th Ave.) - 10 AM – 1 PM

  • we will merge talents and passions to create a collaborative public art piece, guided by Toronto-based visual artist Tania Love, using plant based inks
  • the piece will be on view for the community to the end of March

Sessions Facilitated by Nicole Pouliot, James Cersonsky, Andrew Munn, Monica Hunken and others.

For more information and to apply, visit www.newyorklovesmountains.org/holding-ground-conference/

Julie’s Bicycle and IFACCA release D’Art Report 34b – The arts and environmental sustainability: an international overview.

A global review of developments in policies and programmes related to culture and environmental sustainability has been published this week by key international organisations Julie’s Bicycle and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA).

The aim of the report, D’Art Report 34b – The arts and environmental sustainability: an international overview, was to inform international arts leaders about good practice and resources in this key policy area, and how such policies impact on national arts and cultural organisations.

This ground-breaking international overview is the result of surveys and interviews with arts funding agencies from around the world carried out by Julie’s Bicycle and IFACCA between November 2013 and May 2014 and supplemented with additional research. It follows D’Art Report 34, released jointly in 2009 by IFACCA and Arts Council England that presented examples of good practice in the arts and sustainability.

D’Art Report 34b provides a snapshot of arts and cultural engagement with environmental sustainability with an emphasis on policies, not on artistic content or wider arts practice. The report shows varied preoccupations and priorities according to social, economic, political and geographical context of the respondents.

The findings demonstrate that most respondents believe environmental sustainability to be relevant to arts funding agencies and funded organisations and that there is widespread interest in future development in this direction. However, tangible and applied mechanisms to support environmental sustainability both within agencies and in the organisations they fund are still uncommon and there is little practical and focused guidance for arts funders, workers, or practitioners.

The report, which financially supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Council Ireland, includes early examples of good practice; identifies agencies already embedding environmental sustainability in their country or region; and makes recommendations for enhancing the level of inclusion of environmental sustainability in cultural policymaking and action.

“The arts and cultural sector, in the main, has well-articulated values that promote equality, inclusion, diversity and community and strong arguments around social and financial sustainability. The sector is well-placed to integrate the environmental dimension with the social and financial dimensions: in part, the narratives have already been written. It is up to the sector itself to take up this leadership opportunity, developing greater cultural environmental literacy and an evidence base to articulate its contribution and value to sustainable development and the shaping of our future.”

– Alison Tickell, CEO, Julie’s Bicycle

“This report is particularly pertinent in the context of the current campaign to include culture in the post-2015 sustainable development goals, championed by IFACCA and five other international networks in consultation with UNESCO. It highlights the potential benefits of giving greater attention to culture’s fundamental role in achieving development outcomes.”

– Sarah Gardner, Executive Director, IFACCA

The full report is available at: www.ifacca.org/topic/ecological-sustainability/and http://www.juliesbicycle.com/resources/ifacca-dart-report .

Julie’s Bicycle Culture Change Conference 2015

Join Julie’s Bicycle for our Culture Change Conference at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, on 18 February 2015.

Bringing together artists, designer/makers, creative freelancers and organisations, this conference will make connections across our sector, and explore a more sustainable future for the arts.

Whether you are celebrating your achievements with Culture Change, or are just beginning your journey, come along to experience an inspiring day of speakers, workshops and performances.

Meet like-minded creatives, and build potential business relationships, in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

We are thrilled to announce that international designer and festival director,Wayne Hemingway MBE, will be speaking on the day.

You will also have the chance to hear from:

  • Visionary leaders within the creative sector
  • Key influencers shaping the future for the hub of creative industries in the East of England
  • Trailblazers and experts in environmental sustainability
  • Range of exhibitors showcasing local suppliers, artwork and opportunities

Experience the artistic excellence of the Royal Opera House first hand…

Enjoy an exciting, exclusive performance from the Jette Parker Young Artists(The Royal Opera).

Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge to succeed for the long term…

Choose from a variety of practical workshops that will share best practice and advice to help you grow your business:

  • Engage new audiences and build an effective, ethical brand
  • Meet future business challenges with an imaginative and practical sustainability strategy
  • Develop a financially-efficient, environmentally-conscious business model
  • Discover future funding opportunities from capital finance to crowdfunding
  • Find out more about the latest innovations happening in sustainable craft and design

Want to know what else you can expect from the day? More details and a full agenda will be announced soon…

Want to attend but can’t take a full day out of your schedule? Don’t worry, you can book your free tickets and come along for your preferred sessions.

Check out the ROH Culture Change website to find out more about the programme.

                           

The Shared Independent Theater List (The Sh.I.T. LIST)

shitlist_logoA new website for reusing theatrical goods

shit-list.biz 

CREATED VIA A GRANT FROM THE LIT FUND & 

SPONSORED BY GIDEON PRODUCTIONS, FLUX THEATRE ENSEMBLE & OTHER ARTISTS

On October 7, 2013, the LIT Fund selected the first recipient of their new annual community grant: the Sh.I.T. List. Less than a year later, Sh.I.T.’s about to get real.

Created by a group of independent artists in NYC, the Sh.I.T. List is a digital platform for renting, selling, bartering, and giving away theater and film goods. The mission of the Sh.I.T. List is to get these goods OUT OF THE DUMPSTER and into the projects that need them.  Now that it’s been beta-tested by The LIT Fund community, the Sh.I.T. List will be available for your use on September 16, 2014!

Gideon Producer Sean Williams enthuses, “I sincerely believe that The Sh.I.T. List is not only a brilliant solution to the problems plaguing our environment, it is an elegant plan for us all to survive the new financial realities of the 21st Century. It is so vital, so important and so necessary that in a few years, we will wonder how anyone was able to produce without it.”

Here’s how the Sh.I.T. List works:

Members (called “Dumpers”) can list their “Shit” and tag it with theater/film categories like costumes, props, set pieces, lighting equipment, video equipment, etc. Then members who are looking for these items (called “Divers”) can search for and contact Dumpers about their listings. One of the most exciting features – particularly for anyone just about to close a show – is the ability to list your strike schedule with links to the goods offered.  

Anyone can easily search by word or browse categories and sort results.  Diver membership is free and, thanks to the LIT Fund’s first Community Resource Grant, Dumper membership (which includes the option of listing gigs and events) is also free through at least July 2015.  

Need a wheelchair for your show?  Check.  How about some fake limbs?  We’ve got it.  So get on the Sh.I.T. List and start saving some … stuff.

For more information, please email contactshitlist@gmail.com.

Julie’s Bicycle’s Praxis: Culture and Sustainability

Praxis: Culture and Sustainability

Wednesday, 28 January 2015 from 10:30 to 17:30 (GMT)

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Bringing together thinkers, artists and innovators, this day of talks, performances and workshops will explore the new ways of working that are shaping a more sustainable future for the arts and culture.

The day aims to inspire debate and equip participants with new insights and practical actions, with spotlights on: working internationally, materials and suppliers, skills sharing economies, how ‘green’ digital technology really is, and presentations of new work from The Cambridge Junction in collaboration with Angharad Wynn Jones.

The day will be shaped by two themes: 

The Artist is Not in The Room

Focusing on environmentally sustainable international working models, speakers will discuss touring exhibitions by sea, working rurally and operating globally, and present performances enabled by digital collaboration.

Rip It Up and Start Again

The second theme will look at the environmental and social issues around where we source our materials and resources. Speakers will explore a rethinking on how we use materials, and the emergent ‘circular’ and exchange economies shaping a sustainable future for the arts and culture.

Throughout the day there will be performances and practical action planning workshops.

Confirmed Speakers Include: 

Laura Billings: Trade School London, Civc Systems Lab

Jane Penty: Practicing designer and educator, BA Product Design, Central Saint Martins,

Diana Simpson Hernandez: Designer, Golondrina Design, SustainRCA Alumna

Donna Lynas: Artistic Director, Wysing Arts Centre

Angharad Wynn Jones: Creative Producer, Arts House, Artist

Save the date and register now to secure your place!

More speakers and the final agenda will be announced over the coming weeks.

A Julie’s Bicycle event in partnership with:

This event is part of the Culture Change Programme.

Do you have questions about Praxis: Culture and Sustainability? Contact Culture Change

Public Art Festival to be simultaneously held with COP 20

Art interventions in public spaces, workshops and a variety of performances intending to generate consciousness about climate change will be simultaneously held with COP 20 set to start on Monday December 1 2014 in Lima, Peru.

Those interventions are part of the “Hot Future” First Public Art Festival. It will display the work of Peruvian and foreign artists and architects, who are committed to counter the climate change problems.

Artists will display their works in Alameda de la Integración (located between The Magic Water Circuit Park and the National Stadium) and in the Cervantes Park.

International guests participating include the Dutch group, Cascoland and Belgian artist, Jozef Wouters.

Peruvian artists participating include: Lucía Monge, Christians Luna, Gabriel Acevedo, Sandra Nakamura, Pablo García and the architects: Ricardo Huanqui, Karen Takano, Ricardo Bocanegra (24/7 Arquitectura studio) and Maya Ballén (Masunostudio).

All these artists will present original proposals like Plantón Móvil by Lucia Monge, which invites people to go out with their plants around the city, expressing their voices in favor of green spaces.

Christians Luna’s project is also featured. It consists in citizen’s involvement in topics regarding climate change, by playing games.

Hot Future will also promote dialogue spaces in order to look for development, consumption and life alternatives to face climate change.

Another attached space will be the Public Vegetable Garden, a platform for the urban agriculture that encourages the growing of vegetable gardens and green roofs in the city. This also generates an opportunity to think about the origins of our food through participating workshops organized by the Universidad Agraria La Molina.

OPEN CALL: TREETOPIA

Request for existing digital and .net art for North American environmental advocacy organization.

Deadline November 15, 2014

“Earth laughs in flowers” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

logoWe live in a time when are facing the reality of climate change. Natures aesthetic has gifted us hue dripped falls and white canvas winters. Artists like Ansel Adams and Andy Goldsworthy have captured the graceful growth of our nation’s forests, countrysides and coasts. We are looking for digital works of art that convey a celebratory message around climate change.

Possible subjects could include or be inspired by: people power, environmental justice, wild salmon, orcas, spirit bears, forests, rivers, wild places, climate change, sustainable energy, rejecting extreme fossil fuels, visions of a sustainable future, connection with the earth. Wit and humor are welcome. Interactive artworks highly encouraged. All artwork must present these topics in a positive light.

What we are looking for

ForestEthics is seeking five Internet-based artworks for our end of year fundraising campaign to “Treetopia.” Artworks can be any of the following digital formats: static image (.jpg, png), animation (GIF, Java, HTML5), 15 sec video (mp4). We are asking for a temporary use license from November 15, 2014 – January 15, 2015 unless otherwise agreed to. Artworks will be exhibited in electronic card format as incentives for the audience to financially contribute and donate to ForestEthics and spread awareness about campaign areas including responsible industry, tarsands, Great Bear rainforest, sustainable forest initiatives and oil by rail. Note: artworks will be viewed on multiple devices PC, mobile, tablet, etc.

Compensation

If selected compensation includes a $100 USD stipend for static artworks, $200 USD for animated or video artworks. We offer also offer a donation letter for US based artists, for the remaining value of the license to be used for tax purposes. We will also credit all artworks on distribution materials.

How to submit

Send the following in one email or one website link by November 15, 2014 to danielle@forestethics.org:

Contact info

  • First and Last Name
  • Email
  • Mailing address
  • City, State, Zip
  • Phone
  • Website
  • Bio
  • Description of work or artist statement
  • Title, date, media (format) for each image
  • 1 – 5 images in any of the following formats (.jpg, .png, mp4, website link)

Selected artworks will be decided by November 20, 2014. Artists will be notified by email.

About ForestEthics

ForestEthics.org

ForestEthics protects North America’s last endangered forests and the communities and wildlife that depend on them. Why? Because forests create fresh air and water, nourish and protect wildlife, and help stabilize our climate.

ForestEthics embraces a vision of the forest that benefits all of us — people who live in the forest, people who make their living from forest materials, people who visit the forest, people who count on the clean air and water – and medicines – that forests provide.

When we see a system falling out of line from our vision — Victoria Secret printing their catalogues on paper made from endangered forests or swaths of Boreal forest being cut down to mine Canada’s tar sands — we say something. We do something. We shine a light on the situation, we find working solutions, we don’t stop until it’s fixed.

Questions email: danielle@forestethics.org