Art for Climate Justice Event in Brazil Explores Sustainable Futures and Equity

In collaboration with the Open Society Foundations, the Prince Claus Fund will host Art for Climate Justice—Reimagining Sustainable Futures from September 16 to 21, 2024, in Belém do Pará, Brazil. This one-week event will bring together artists, changemakers, and organizations to foster connections, exchange knowledge, and inspire creative solutions to the climate crisis. The event, taking place a year before the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, emphasizes the role of art and culture in addressing climate justice.

The event is designed to encourage South-to-South connections, focusing on non-hegemonic forms of knowledge, alternative models of development, and climate solutions that prioritize equity and sustainability. Throughout the week, the Soros Arts Fellows from the Open Society Foundations and the CAREC Fellows from the Prince Claus Fund will engage with local artists, activists, and community members in Brazil’s Amazon region, sharing practices and perspectives on topics such as land rights, environmental justice, and the socio-economic impact of climate change.

Uniting Art and Ancestral Knowledge for Climate Action

The climate crisis has disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South, making the event’s focus on South-to-South collaboration particularly significant. Through dialogue and creative exchange, Art for Climate Justice seeks to envision solutions that prioritize these communities and their invaluable knowledge. This approach emphasizes the power of ancestral wisdom and cultural practices in the fight for environmental justice and sustainable development.

The event is curated by a committee of international and local artists and activists, each bringing their unique perspective to the table. The committee includes Renata Aguiar, a visual artist and educator based in Belém who investigates the poetic-political relations of the body-image; Priscila Cobra, an Afro-Indigenous multidisciplinary artist, journalist, and musician; and Zayaan Khan, a storyteller and artist from South Africa focused on food, land, and seed justice.

According to Marcus Tebogo Desando, Executive Director of the Prince Claus Fund, artists and climate activists play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis. “Their unique perspectives and creative solutions are vital in fostering alternative sustainable futures,” said Desando. “We are thrilled by the prospect of collaborating with partners based in Brazil and globally, sharing diverse insights, and uniting our efforts to create a resilient planet for generations to come.”

Event Structure: Intimate Gatherings and Public Engagement

Art for Climate Justice will unfold in two phases. The first three days (September 16-18) will involve a private gathering of the Soros Arts Fellows, CAREC Fellows, and local partners. This intimate phase is designed to delve deep into alternative climate crisis solutions, allowing participants to exchange methodologies, experiences, and strategies for articulating non-hegemonic forms of knowledge. By focusing on collaboration rather than competition, the event highlights the collective efforts needed to address global climate challenges.

The final two days of the event (September 20-21) will open to the public, offering a platform for broader community engagement. The public program will feature a diverse array of activities, including workshops, performances, film screenings, panel discussions, and presentations. Local community members will have the opportunity to engage with the event’s themes and contribute their perspectives to the ongoing dialogue around climate justice.

One of the key partners in this event is The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG), a research institution and museum located in Belém that focuses on the biological and sociocultural diversity of the Amazon Basin. MPEG’s involvement underscores the importance of local knowledge in addressing the complexities of climate change in the Amazon region and beyond.

A Global Mission with Local Roots

The Prince Claus Fund has long been committed to supporting cultural and creative initiatives that address urgent global challenges. Art for Climate Justice builds on this mission by focusing on the intersection of climate action, cultural expression, and social justice. By bringing together artists, activists, and changemakers from around the world, the event aims to foster creative solutions to the climate crisis that are rooted in both local and global contexts.

As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém in 2025, events like Art for Climate Justice provide a crucial space for collaboration and innovation. By centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South, the event seeks to reimagine a future where environmental sustainability and social justice go hand in hand.

Further information about the event and its participants will be available on the Prince Claus Fund’s official website as the event date approaches.