Realising the potential of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games

Spotlight on... Artists For Climate Change

Inspire themes: Sustainability, Volunteering & Culture

Norfolk Children's Services have been leading on the initiative which aims to equip 20 artists with the knowledge and understanding to work effectively in schools, marrying an inspirational approach to measurable impact.  We want to find new ways to support achieving and maintaining a 25% reduction in carbon emissions in Norfolk schools by 2013, building and linking with existing energy programmes.

20 artists were selected from over 140 applications, and they underwent training and briefings to prepare them for their explorations with the school pupils and staff.

The project has had three phases:

1. Artist recruitment and training Artists were recruited on a personal development basis with their merit on quality and commitment to exploring and challenging climate change issues. They had volunteered their time for the project in return for training and development opportunities (provided by Norfolk County Council, Arts Council England, Low Carbon Britain, Energy Saving Trust, University of East Anglia academics/professors, experienced practitioners and school staff and other relevant organisations).
2. Developmental phase of artists working with schools The artists then worked with school pupils to explore innovative ways of exploring climate change issues through creativity; making awareness of issues much more accessible to pupils in an engaging and exciting way. Each artist did this via their specialised art-form.
3. Publication and distribution of a Directory along with programmes of support for schools, teachers and artists The findings, methods, examples, factual knowledge and case studies will be compiled together into one source: the Artists for Climate Change Directory. The Directory will detail best practice and contact details of helpful organisations and the trained artists (of Phase 1) as well as the above. This Directory will then be distributed to all Norfolk schools (and made available beyond) to encourage creative thinking around exploring climate change issues with children and young people.

The schools will have access to a wealth of information via the Directory but also know they can access to further support from the partner organisations, trained and experienced artists (of Phases 1 and 2) and the County Council.

Schools will then be supported in engaging with climate change issues and using the resources produced. All schools would have registered with Get Set, but they would be encouraged and supported to register with the Get Set Network when utilising the new findings of the project.