Artists-Now-Green-Manifesto Actions
Here are the Easy / Medium / Hard actions recommended by the Artists-Now-Green-Manifesto. Why not pick one or two to try today?
Easy Actions
Making
• Use second-hand equipment and materials
• Make less. Challenge the culture of over-production
• Share equipment and materials with other artists or studio residents
• Buy reclaimed wood from local timber yards
Exhibiting
• Avoid single-use fixings such as tape, Velcro or Command strips
Shipping
• Reduce packaging
• Reuse packaging
Travel
• Walk, cycle or use public transport
Admin
• Print using eco-friendly ink
• Print using sustainably sourced recycled or paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ( FSC )
Digital
• Clear out-of-date documents, images and files from cloud storage and social media accounts
Medium Actions
Making
• Research how to dispose of waste materials responsibly and avoid pollution
• Set up a recycling area in your studio complex •
Shop locally for materials
• Make your own glazes
• Make and use environmentally friendly photographic chemistry
• Replace toxic mediums and solvents with natural oils and solvent replacers
Exhibiting
• Ensure your instructions for gallery staff support energy conservation, for example by fully turning off digital equipment overnight
Shipping
• Only use biodegradable packaging
• Collaborate with other artists to ship or transport work together
Travel
• Share lifts to events
• Look for carbon neutral accommodation
Admin
• Write an Environmental Policy for you and your practice
Digital
• Check images used on your website are not larger files than necessary and reduce file sizes where appropriate before uploading, sending, or posting on social media
• If using digital technologies, including AI tools, consider their energy use and environmental impact and use them thoughtfully
Harder Actions
Making
• Switch to renewable energy at home and in your studio or encourage your studio provider to do so
• Carefully consider the frequency of firing ceramics and share kilns with studio members/other artists
• Find out where your materials came from. How are they extracted and created? What impact do they have on the environment?
Exhibiting
• Ask galleries to support your environmental values and commitments
• Only exhibit with venues that can demonstrate environmentally responsible practices and ensure work is produced, installed and exhibited sustainably
• Seek subsidies for responsible travel to exhibitions
Shipping
• Work with couriers to identify the most sustainable transport methods for your work or use carbon neutral couriers
Travel
• Travel by land and sea rather than air where possible. Choose train or bus over flying for longer journeys
• Use electric or hybrid vehicles
Admin
• Use your platform as an artist to discuss and promote sustainability and environmental responsibility
Digital
• Re-design websites using low-energy principles