- Posted on August 13th, 2024
CCL Network – Project Funding Announced
Seven creative climate action projects receive financial support through the Creative Climate Leadership Network
Creative Climate Leadership (CCL) is a transformation programme for creative changemakers committed to taking action on the climate crisis through the arts and culture, created by Julie’s Bicycle. There are now more than 250 alumni working in 30 countries around the world, making, (re)shaping, and visioning a different kind of tomorrow.
We are delighted to be able to support their work through seed financing of £4,000 per project through the Creative Climate Leadership network. Alumni were able to submit proposals for individual or joint projects, either seeding something new, or expanding on the vision of something that they’re already doing.
The following projects are receiving support through the Creative Climate Leadership Network:
Art Justice // All Justice: Double Edge Theatre – Andrew Freiband (CCL USA 2020) and Lauren de la Parra (CCL USA 2020)
An investigative project exploring the relationship between Art Justice and climate action through the practice of Double Edge Theatre in rural Massachusetts, aiming to contribute to larger paradigm shifts toward interdependence and the right relationship with the Earth and each other.
BILYA – Dr. Jen Rae (CCL Australia 2023)
BILYA is an iterative and interactive relational mapping platform of people, projects, and organisations who are engaging with the climate emergency through artistic practice, grounded in First Nations protocols and knowledge systems, co-created by Dr. Jen Rae + Claire G. Coleman (from the Centre for Reworlding) and Lee Shang Lun (from PlayReactive). The CCL financial support will build on already secured funding to enable additional creative labs for informing, testing and populating the platform.
CCL x ADE Green 2024 – Lyke Poortvliet (CCL Wales 2017) and Syed Jazib Ali (CCL Benelux 2023)
Environmental justice and human rights advocacy leader and documentary film-maker Syed Jazib Ali and Green Events Netherlands co-director Lyke Poortvliet will co-curate a programme on climate justice for ADE Green with a music-artist perspective, the pioneering conference on sustainability and social change within the music industry. In an intimate morning session at ADE Green, they will invite CCL alumni and ADE professionals to start the conversation about climate justice, mobilise, and create new connections.
‘Collective action and climate advocacy mentoring.’ – Su Shaw (CCL UK 2023) and Beatrice Jeavons (CCL Australia 2023)
Collaboration between climate solutions agency FEAT and artist Su Shaw (SHHE) to explore strategies to integrate collective climate action, including FEAT’s Solar Slice model, which harnesses the power of ticket sales to fund renewable energy initiatives that protect and restore nature. Bea and Su will explore climate advocacy and creative communication within Scotland’s music network, including a partnership with Sonica Festival 2024; Scotland’s largest sonic arts festival. A series of consulting and mentoring sessions, including with climate communications charity Heard, will culminate in a panel discussion and live performance at Sonica Festival in Glasgow in September 2024.
From Creative Practice to Climate Justice Action Workshop Symposium – Pippa Bailey (CCL Australia 2023)
A week-long immersive event led by independent artists and cultural workers to explore how creative practice, particularly embodied performing arts practices, can enable climate action and transition with social justice at the heart: from First Nations connections that Care for Country, to community song reviving Caribbean culture, to storytelling, rehearsing better futures and how collaboration can shift policy to the power of play. Featuring Kuku Yalanji artist Henrietta Baird, movement Director Gabrielle Moleta and Professor Jorge Lopes Ramos from ZU-UK, bringing together CCL alumni including Sita Brand (UK 2023), Bridget McKenzie (Slovenia 2017), Julie Forchhammer (Scandinavia 2022). Also supported by Culture Declares Emergency, the University of Greenwich, Creative Australia and Create NSW.
“How does a wetland dance?” – Cristián Petit-Laurent (CCL Sweden 2021)
Creation of a short documentary film by Chilean cinematographer Cristián Petit-Laurent, narrating the creative process of a dance score inspired by the wetlands in the city of Puerto Montt, Los Lagos, south Chile, which are, threatened by construction and development. The piece will be collectively created with local participants of all ages at the Flor de Agua Art Space, working together with a scientist, to co-create a new choreography strengthening the bond between people and the place they live.
N’dau Festival of the Arts Trust – Phillip Kusasa (CCL Wales 2017)
Ndau Festival of the Arts Trust works in Chipinge, Zimbabwe, to preserve and promote Ndau arts, culture, and heritage and create new institutions for previously marginalised indigenous groups to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Activities will include a creative climate change art competition in local schools, an agro-ecology and heritage seeds workshop and tree distribution, a ‘best climate change reporter’ and ‘best climate change photographer’ award, and photography archiving and a photo exhibition documenting the impacts of cyclone Idai at the National Art Gallery in Mutare.
Projects are taking place between July and December 2024. To keep up-to-date with the projects as they develop, follow Julie’s Bicycle on social media or sign up to the Julie’s Bicycle newsletter.
The funding for these projects has been made possible through the generous support of the Porticus Foundation, and additional investment from Creative Australia which has allowed us to expand the number of projects supported from five to seven.
