The Imagine 2020 Network are launching a four-year programme of International Summer Academy for artists. This is an opportunity to join other artists, scientists, economists, philosophers, policy makers, NGO representatives from across Europe to learn new approaches to how we can bring together art, activism and science to tackle climate change and engage in a dialogue on global change.
 The Summer Academies will take place from 2011 – 2014 in France, Portugal, Slovenia and Croatia and the UK.

Imagine 2020 Summer Lab #1: “From science to art: forests at the heart of life”
 Montpellier, France 24th to 27th August 2011

In 2011 Domaine d’O in Montpellier, France will offer a four day lab based around the theme of forests offering artists a rare opportunity to step outside day-to-day work and engage with colleagues from across many countries and disciplines.

2011 has been declared by the UN “International Year of Forests” so this years Summer Lab will look at Forests, or deforestation, as one of the main issues in the climate change debate and how they are essential in maintaining an ecological balance.

This is a residential event where all participants live and work together over four days, continuing their conversations over organised lunches and dinners. Issues and ideas that will be shared during the lab will include:

What is biodiversity?
How do ecosystems interact with each other?
Traditional medicinal knowledge and forests
Forest visits
The roles of artists and scientists

The event will take place at the Domaine d’O in Montpellier with accommodation available in a central hotel with direct access by tram to the venue. 
 


Domaine d’O attach equal importance to all voices and will limit the amount of formal presentation during the event. We endeavour to take risks, encourage frank exchange and inspiring emotional, imaginative and intellectual engagement with this subject. 

The working language of the event will be English.

 
With the support of the Imagine 2020 Network, Artsadmin offered the chance for one UK artist to attend the Imagine 2020 Summer Lab #1.

This opportunity was open to artists at all stages of their careers and who work in live art, performance, socially engaged practice or time based media.
 
The chosen artist will recieve train travel from UK to the host venue (Domain d’O, Montpellier, France) hotel accommodation in central Montpellier, local travel and all meals.

The deadline for submissions has now passed.