The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported that we must keep global warming under 1.5°C to avoid unimaginable human suffering and ecosystem collapse. This requires mass mobilization at an unprecedented level to transition within a decade to a carbon-neutral society. The Artist Brigade: Artists + Climate Action is an emergency call to Canadian artists, to embody knowledge, envision possibilities, catalyze emotion and inspire action.
Our goal is to seed cross-sectoral partnerships with artists to mobilize a society paralyzed by climate anxiety and grief. This will also connect artists to new partnerships, resources and audiences who are eager for engagement.
The larger work of the Artist Brigade is imagined as a leaderless, national movement to encourage artists’ involvement in mobilizing our citizenry toward immediate climate action. To build an ethical, climate-aligned society, we need to transition from a culture of consumerism to a culture of stewardship. Creating culture is dependent on the vision and involvement of artists.
The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture, in collaboration with committed individuals from the David Suzuki Foundation, the Vancouver Park Board, The Only Animal, Story Money Impact, and Stó:lō Nation artist Lolehawk will create these events modeled around collective ideation. The Artist Brigade is committed to at least 50% representation of women and IBPOC artists.
This project is connected to a larger initiative from our partner, The Only Animal. The Artist Brigade brings arts and artists to the front lines of the climate movement. Find out more at www.theonlyanimal.com.
