Season for Change

About

In November 2020, the UK had planned to welcome over 170 countries for COP26, the UN’s climate negotiations to discuss the Paris Agreement: the most important international agreement on the climate crisis. In light of Covid-19, COP26 has been delayed – but our plans for Season for Change are pressing ahead with a new timeline and a programme co-curated with over 30 partners.

Throughout 2020, Season for Change will continue to build towards a live programme of creative work and amplified campaign in spring 2021. Season for Change will showcase the creativity and leadership of the UK’s cultural sector on the most important issue of our time. In the uncertainty of this current moment, we are certain of one thing: arts and culture can still mobilise people to act for climate justice.

What’s happening

From June 2020 onwards, Season for Change aims to energise artists and cultural organisations to put climate action at the heart of their programming, with a priority of centring communities and groups that have been previously underrepresented in and excluded from conversations about culture and climate.

We will do this through:

• Free online events and resources to empower artists and cultural organisations to take action and inspire their audiences and communities.
• 10 participatory commissions with partners nationwide that engage diverse audiences with the climate crisis.
• 4 open call artist commissions, prioritising artists who identify as BAME/POC, D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, working class and LGBTQI.
• A national campaign of events about climate change and the environment involving over 250 artists and arts organisations across the UK.

In 2020 and 2021, together we will galvanise a diverse, multidisciplinary and sustainably-produced programme that reaches over 10 million people

Season for Change is led by Artsadmin and Julie’s Bicycle, delivered in collaboration with over 30 partners and supported by Arts Council England and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.