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Session Summary
The intersection between culture and environment is a growing area of perspective warranting genuine consideration and introspection. Tangentially, the concept of intentionality is one worth marinating as it centers on human behavior. This revitalizing conversation gives insight on how all industries can play a role in moving society forward in a new direction that creates solutions to protect and prioritize culture and environment. From permaculture to live performing arts, the amplification of progressive ideas and constructive methods of sustainability are available to everyone - it simply takes awareness and intention. Creative strategist Erin Woods centers the conversation around the idea that this is not a science or technical concern, but rather, this is about “a cultural shift and about who we are and how we want to be in the world, and that what we value and what we think about as sustainable” are considered from all individual, professional, social, and community perspectives.
Toxic cultures are the root of environmental crises after all, therefore it will take a shift in culture to transition us into a better form. The pandemic has afforded all industries the opportunity to reexamine old models and identify room for improvement. Krista Bradley, Director of Programs and Resources at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), provides examples of how the tourism industry can improve, beginning with altering its infrastructure to better service the generation of waste and preservation of the field, in addition to informing the public about resources, tips, and information on what they can do on an individual level that makes a larger, longterm, cultural difference.
An important area within intentionality and environmental impacts that panelists highlight is our connection to our community. As Co-Director of Helicon Collaborative Alexis Frasz said, “If our community is not well, we are not well.” The uncontrolled collapse of many domains in art and traditional business have forced us to become not just more localized, but also resourceful to begin utilizing new tools like virtual spaces as a means to converge and create like never before. Vijay Matthews, Co-Founder of Howlround Theatre Commons, notes the enabling of collaboration that is afforded from virtual spaces - “publishing and performing arts artists wanting to connect and share ideas with each other, this has been an incredible moment for artists from the global South and global North to be in the same virtual space together like never before.”
Advocating for a different way of working in the arts and cultural sector is long overdue. Doing less and giving something up does not always mean something is being sacrificed. It simply means you’re making room for more things that can be beneficial to you and your community. In fact, a lot can be gained from abandoning dated social customs like ‘hustle 24/7.’ Four-day work weeks directly equate to climate change and worker wellbeing for instance. Or a worker cooperative model to eradicate cheap, free labor. Each working practice should recognize that they can be much more accessible, inclusive, and equitable by adopting more policies for human flourishing, and it ultimately begins with a change of culture.