SANZ

News

August 12th - since April SANZ has affiliated with Arts Cabinet UK and other representatives of agencies in Canada and the United States to develop strategies for COP26.

April 6th - SANZ met with Nancy Szalwinski, Director and Ed Findlay Deputy Director of Cultural Programs Division, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs | U.S. Department of State

A Letter to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry

Please read the letter below and if you agree, then please add your name by using our Sign Here form.

Thank You!

Aaron Ellison PhD, Senior Research Fellow in Ecology, Harvard Forest, Harvard University at aellison@fas.harvard.edu

Aviva Rahmani, PhD, Affiliate at the Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO. www.avivarahmani.com at ghostnets@ghostnets.com

March 25, 2021

Dear Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry,

SANZ is scientists and artists united for net zero [1]. We are climate change scientists, ecoartist-researchers and practitioners (ecoartists engage with environmental systems change) who share your vision for an existential and pragmatic race to net-zero [2][3]. We write to join with you in the effort to amplify outreach and effect systemic changes towards that goal [4]. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss how we can be of service in realizing mutual goals. We offer decades of interdisciplinary experience in application, adaptation, adoption, development and scaling-up creative partnerships between policy makers, scientists and ecoartists including with existing groups, such as ecoartspace and the ecoart network [5][6][7].

We propose a rapid (six-month) planning process, coordinating with the NEA, NSF, DOE, NASA, NOAA, the Climate Change Corps, Indigenous Groups such as Honor the Earth in the United States and reaching out internationally, to create teams who can work on solutions to climate change.

Our goal is to identify opportunities and deliver concrete proposals to implement ecoart/science partnerships. These partnerships could foster, support and establish: fair and equitable processes to identify and select participants; balance financial and logistical/production/research support for scientists and artists; create an outreach, communication and marketing plan; and establish realistic modes of evaluation and assessment.

We believe our nation must embrace and use all our talents to meet this challenge. Scientists have been trying—mostly unsuccessfully—for decades to effect change [8]. We need to embed new collaborative approaches in climate change policy [9].

Our observation is that that ecoart can amplify the audibility and visibility of climate science and contribute new insights. Conversely, without science, ecoarts’ contributions can be disregarded. Initiatives in other countries have recognized this opportunity through, for example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Art and Climate Change (IPACC) proposed by the Jan van Eyck Academy in the Netherlands [10][11].

Historically, modest investments in art/science collaborations and inter-agency projects of all kinds within the United States have yielded spectacular scientific insights and mainstream impacts from data visualization and modeling to practical solutions, particularly in cities [12][13][14]. Often these collaborations have bolstered industrial innovation [15]. The larger artworld represents a significant economy (over $68 billion) [16]. Inspiring the imagination of that sector might further contribute towards our net zero goal [17].

This is an opportunity for the United States to assume greater leadership in these matters and engage with wider global cultural partnerships. We hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Further information on request. Please respond to either Dr. Aaron Ellison or Dr. Aviva Rahmani on our Contact page as your primary contacts. See below for additional signatories, statistics and citations.

References:

[1] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/

[2] UN News: news.un.org/en/story/2020/12/1078612

[3] The Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/22/kerrys-claim-that-we-have-nine-years-left-avert-climate-crisis

[4] Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: www.pnas.org/content/pnas/early/2010/06/04/1003187107.full.pdf

[5] American for the Arts: www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/social-change

[6] ecoartspace: www.ecoartspace.org

[7] Ecoart Network: www.ecoartnetwork.org

[8] Center for Climate and Energy Solutions: www.c2es.org

[9] PolicyLink: www.policylink.org/resources-tools/working-with-artists

[10] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: www.ipcc.ch

[11] Jan Van Eyck: www.janvaneyck.nl/postacademy/about

[12] The Conversation: theconversation.com/engineers-have-built-machines-to-scrub-co-from-the-air-but-will-it-halt-climate-change-152975

[13] National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: nasaa-arts.org/nasaa_research/return-on-investment

[14] Undark: undark.org/2021/03/02/biden-weighs-social-cost-of-carbon/?fbclid=IwAR0wOYRPyNRjCCpjFPYsjVOMVrDmCN5TXW39LyeuTxDtjM1JsILWzfJ4tdA

[15] MIT Technology Review: www.technologyreview.com/2014/04/15/173149/the-underappreciated-ties-between-art-and-innovation/

[16] Art | Basel: www.artbasel.com/news/art-market-report

[17] NASA Global Climate Change: climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus

Selected Appendix for online resources:

Evidence of climate change catastrophe:

• https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/early/2010/06/04/1003187107.full.pdf

Evidence of the Social Impact of art:

• Arts Fund: https://www.artsfund.org/social-impact-study-2018

• National Endowment for the Arts: https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Research-Art-Works-Chicago.pdf

• Taylor & Francis Online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/14797580903481280

• World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/how-arts-and-culture-can-serve-as-a-force-for-social-change

Evidence of public opinion shifts:

• Center for Climate Change Communication: https://www.climatechangecommunication.org

Selected additional relevant organizations:

• Ars Electronica: https://ars.electronica.art/center/en

• British Council: https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/culture-development/our-stories/creative-commissions

• Climate Cultures: https://climatecultures.net/about/about-climatecultures

• COAL Prize: http://www.projetcoal.org/coal/coal-art-developpement-durable/contact

• The Earth Institute, Columbia University: https://www.earth.columbia.edu

• Ecoart Network: https://www.ecoartnetwork.org

• Ecoarts: http://www.ecoartsonline.org

• Ecoartspace: https://ecoartspace.org

• eco/art/scot/land: http://ecoartscotland.net

• Honor the Earth: https://www.honorearth.org

• Julie’s Bicycle: https://juliesbicycle.com

• LACI: https://laincubator.org/artist-in-residence

• Leonardo: https://www.leonardo.info

• NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2020/12/15/945937035/biden-to-name-gina-mccarthy-former-epa-chief-as-domestic-climate-coordinator

• PolicyLink: https://www.policylink.org/resources-tools/working-with-artists

• Taylor & Francis Online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02604027.2018.1444837

• The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/22/kerrys-claim-that-we-have-nine-years-left-avert-climate-crisis

• WEAD: https://www.weadartists.org/contact

• Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/about/people-partners/the-yale-climate-and-energy-institute

• 2020 Visions: https://www.2020visions.art

Relevant statistics about museum public reach:

• Statista: https://www.statista.com/topics/1119/art-market/#:~:text=The%20global%20art%20market%20was,39%20million%20the%20previous%20year.

• Statista: https://www.statista.com/statistics/247422/yearly-visitorship-to-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-in-new-york/#:~:text=Almost%206.5%20million%20people%20visited,6.95%20million%20the%20previous%20year.

• MoMA: https://www.moma.org/about/annualreportFY18#:~:text=MoMA%20in%20the%20World,voices%20from%20around%20the%20world.

Signatures

This list will be updated every few days with the latest additional signatures.

1. Mary Jo Aagerstoun, https://www.facebook.com/groups/751890081595539

2. Valerie J. Amor, Drawing Conclusions, LLC, https://www.facebook.com/DrawingConclusionsLLC/

3. Marcia Annenberg, Teachers College, Columbia University, http://www.mannenberg.com

4. Krisanne Baker, http://www.krisannebaker.com

5. Lillian Ball, www.waterwash.org

6. Sibel Bargu Ates, Department of Oceanography and Coastal SciencesLouisiana State University, 1002T

7. Suzanne Benton, Independent artist, http://suzannebentonartist.com

8. David Bergman, New York School of Interior Design & Parsons School of Design, http://davidbergmaneco.com

9. Resa Blatman, Visual Artist, http://www.resablatman.com

10. Claudia Borgna, www.claudiaborgna.org & www.claudiaborgna.com

11. Bill Botzow

12. Sam Bower, Independent consultant, Regenerative Culture researcher, greenmuseum, https://animatingdemocracy.org/resource/environmental-art

13. Wendy Brawer

14. Bebonkwe Brown, Plains Cree / Anishnawbe / Metis Nations, http://www.Winter-Brown.com

15. Jenny Brown, www.jennybrownjenny.com

16. Rebecca Burrill, https://horsechestnutwinds.com

17. Beth Carruthers, Canada: https://ecuad.academia.edu/BethCarruthers SongBird project (archive) https://www.songbirdproject.ca/

18. Prosanta Chakrabarty, Fulbright Canada, Carleton University, Ottawa, LSU Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216,

19. Richard Chinn, Environmental Training, Inc., 804 Cottage Hill Way, Brandon, FL 33511-8098

20. Laurie Beth Clark, https://lbclark.net

21. Betsy Damon, www.KeepersoftheWaters.org

22. Cyane Dandridge, Strategic Energy Innovations, http://www.seiinc.org

23. Cameron Davis, University of Vermont, Department of Art & Art History, Environmental Program Affiliate, EcoCulturelab, http://www.camerondavisstudio.com

24. Gillian T. Davis

25. Dominique de Cock, http://www.dominiquedecock.com

26. Elizabeth Demaray, https://elizabethdemaray.org

27. Susan Dennehy, Art Students League, http://dennehylawfirm.com

28. Thomas Erben, Director, Thomas Erben Gallery, https://www.thomaserben.com

29. Chris Fremantle, Gray's School of Art,Robert Gordon University, http://ecoartscotland.com

30. Amara Geffen, https://www.amarageffenstudios.com/

31. Chris Greenwood, Red Line Art Works, http://www.redlineartworks.org

32. David Haley

33. Newton Harrison, http://www.centerforforcemajeure.org

34. Noel Hefele, Independent artist, http://noelhefele.com

35. Debbie Henderson, Wittenberg Univ.

36. Paula Higa, The University of Vermont, http://www.paulahiga.com

37. Angelika Hilbeck

38. Susan Hoenig, www.susanhoenig.com

39. Jon Barlow Hudson, http://www.hudsonsculpture.art

40. Basia Irland, http://www.basiairland.com

41. Michelle Jaffé, Independent Artist, http://michellejaffe.com

42. Patricia Johanson, https://patriciajohanson.com

43. Lucy Keshavarz, President, Art & Culture Group, Inc., http://ArtCultureGroup.com

44. Sant Khalsa, http://www.santkhalsa.com

45. Susan Knght, independent artist, http://www.susanknightart.com

46. Ellen Kozak, Pratt Institute, visual artist, http://ellen@ellenkozak.com

47. Kim Landsbergen, Antioch College, http://KimLandsbergen.com

48. Ellen K. Levy, www.complexityart.com

49. Stacy Levy, www.stacylevy.com

50. Sally Linder, http://www.sallylinder.com

51. Taina Litwak, Independent artist, http://www.litwakillustration.com

52. Kam-Biu , Liu, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. 70803

53. Patrick Lydon, City as Nature, Art and Media Lab, http://cityasnature.org

54. Ana MacArthur, independent artist, http://www.anamacarthur.com

55. Cindy Maguire, Adelphi University, http://Artsaction.org

56. Kanchan Maiti, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. 70803

57. Lenore Malen, Parsons—The New School, http://lenore.malen@gmail.com

58. Helen Mann, University of the Arts, London (UAL), http://www.instagram.com/hm.encounters/

59. Mary Mattingly, University of Hartford, http://www.marymattingly.com

60. Bridget McKenzie, Climate Museum UK, http://climatemuseumuk.org/

61. Virginia McLean, Friends for Our Riverfront, http://www.friendsforourriverfront.org/index.html

62. Jill McManus, Free lance musician/writer

63. Daro Montag, daro.montag@falmouth.ac.uk

64. Adrienne Moumin, Independent Artist, http://Picturexhibit.com

65. Beverly Naidus, www.beverlynaidus.net

66. Devora Neumark, PhD, Goddard College, http://devoraneumark.com

67. Chrissie Orr, https://seedbroadcast.org

68. Carol Padberg

69. Greg Patch, artist, http://gregpatch.blogspot.com

70. Kate Pellegrini, Culture Declares Emergency, http://katepellegrini.com

71. Deanna Pindell, Olympic College, WA, USA, http://deannapindell.net

72. Nancy N. Rabalais, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. 70803

73. Aviva Rahmani, INSTAAR, University of Colorado at Boulder, www.avivarahmani.com

74. Gustavo A. Rincon, University of California, Santa Barbara

75. Luzita Roll, Independent Art Educator

76. Catherine Ruane, Victor Valley College, http://www.catherineruane.com

77. Valeria Ruiz Vargas, Manchester Metropolitan University, https://www.mmu.ac.uk/natural-sciences/staff/profile/index.php?id=2651

78. Christina Rupp, www.Christyrupp.com

79. Hope Sandrow, Open Air Gallery

80. Henry Sayre, Oregon State University

81. Claude Schryer, Canada Council for the Arts, https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/claude-schryer

82. Joyce Pomeroy Schwartz, Public Art curator and advisor

83. Fern Shaffer, http://Fernshaffer.com

84. Bonnie Ora Sherk, Systemic Ecological Design, Landscape Architecture, Integrated Community & Schools' Education, http://www.alivinglibrary.org

85. Suzan Shutan, Independent artist, Housatonic Community College, http://www.suzanshutan.com

86. Danielle Siembieda, Leonardo/ISAST

87. Nina Sobell, Independent Artist, http://www.ninasobell.com

88. Debra Solomon, PhD candidate Dept of Urban Planning, University of Amsterdam, http://www.urbaniahoeve.nl

89. R. Eugene Turner, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La. 70803

90. Hanae Utamura, Independent Artist, http://www.hanaeutamura.com/

91. Jan von Boeckel

92. Jennifer WAGNER-LAWLOR, Penn State University

93. Ruth Wallen, www.ruthwallen.net

94. Patricia Watts, ecoartspace LLC

95. Linda Weintraub

96. James White, Univ of CO at Boulder, CO

97. Roscoe Wilson, Miami University, http://www.roscoewilson.com

98. Marina Zurkow, www.o-matic.com , www.dearclimate.net

99. Cheryl Safren, independent artist, public artist, http://safren.com

100. Jenny Kendler, Artist, NRDC Artist-in-Residence, Board Member at 350.org, http://jennykendler.com

101. Richard Solomon, PhD, Community clinical psychologist (Retired)

102. Amanda Schockling, Master's Student, Lund University

103. Rosie Farr, UN Principles for Responsible Investment

104. Alice Garik, independent artist, http://www.alicegarik.com

105. Claudia Hart, School of the Art, Institute of Chicago, http://www.claudiahart.com

106. Usha Rao, Environmental Geochemistry Researcher and Professor, Saint Joseph's University

107. Tessa Teixeira, Independent Artist, http://www.tessateixeira.com

108. Julie Reiss, Independent Scholar, http://juiereiss.com

109. Masooma Razvi, Pharmacist, Independent

110. Monika Fabijanska, Independent Curator and Art Historian, http://www.monikafabijanska.com

111. Nicholas Minor, University of Wyoming, http://nicholasrminor.com

112. Jayme McLellan, Adjunct Lecturer, Georgetown University; artist; graduate student, Harvard Ext. School; and gallery director, http://Www.Civilianartprojects.com