Culture and creativity have the capacity to engage communities on climate action. This is an approach that can be both transformative and inspirational as artists bring a whole new perspective to complex issues, such as the role of agriculture in Ireland’s Green House Gas emissions.
Much work is being done nationally by state agencies and others, including Teagasc, to address the role farming plays in contributing to our emissions, yet emissions in the farming sector continue to rise, particularly in the dairy sector. Other impacts such as depleted biodiversity mean that public perception of farming can be very negative. Farmers face their own challenges due to the impact of climate change – colder springs, longer periods of drought, exceptional rainfall events. At times they feel vilified and embattled.
Addressing GHG emissions in agriculture is what is known as a ‘wicked’ problem – ‘a social or cultural problem that’s difficult or impossible to solve—normally because of its complex and interconnected nature’. This project aims to tackle this wicked problem through a creative lens and engage with farmers on climate change. Key to this approach is listening to the farming community and providing them with a safe space to share their thoughts and concerns. The focus will be on supporting participating farms to identify solutions that will work for them and wider society, mediating this experience through a creative lens.
To this end, artists working in any discipline are invited to apply to become an Embedded Artist with Corca Dhuibhne Inbhuanaithe – A Creative Imagining. Funded by the Creative Climate Action fund, this project will see (an) artist(s) creatively engage with the farming community and the Corca Dhuibhne Creativity & Innovation Hub to support participating farmers to identify climate action solutions that will work for them and wider society.
The Embedded Artist will bring their unique perspective to the project, helping to generate new ways of thinking, fresh perspectives and alternative approaches to the challenges of addressing climate change. Applications are welcome from individual artists as well as groups or collectives. The selected artist(s) will be supported throughout by the Corca Dhuibhne Inbhuanaithe steering group and the Project Manager / Curator.
Corca Dhuibhne Inbhuanaithe – A Creative Imagining is a Creative Climate Action project managed by Corca Dhuibhne Creativity & Innovation Hub, in collaboration with the Green Arts Initiative in Ireland (GAII) and MaREI (The Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine).
For full details of the project and how to apply, please download the Artist’s Brief at the following link: Creative Climate Action Project – Dingle Peninsula 2030 / Corca Dhuibhne 2030
