Strategies for Enhancing Diversity, Ecological Awareness, and Communication Tactics in Artwork
City Governments Embrace Artists to Boost Climate Communication and Engagement
City administrations are shifting their approaches to public communication in the realm of climate and sustainability, moving away from traditional one-way information dissemination towards more interactive, co-created models.
In the past, city officials primarily served as public information officers, informing citizens about specific programs or initiatives. However, in today's evolving landscape, this unidirectional approach is perceived as less effective and increasingly undesirable. Cities are progressively adopting collaborative models of communication that encompass a variety of methods, such as appreciative inquiry and citizen assemblies, with the aim of improving community engagement.
These changes present an opportunity for cities to capitalize on the arts sector, which could potentially yield higher returns on investment in terms of behavior change and even systemic transformation. This is particularly relevant as visual content, such as videos and images, has become the primary form of social media interaction for the public. Remember, Facebook forecasted years ago a future dominated by videos rather than text.
Bringing Art to the Forefront
The proposal is simple: cities should hire artists as full-time employees in their climate and sustainability departments, rather than engaging them in temporary artist-in-residency programs. Dr. Michael Shank, Director of Engagement with the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, advocates for this shift, citing the inadequacy of the data-driven and science-oriented culture prevalent in many municipalities to fully grasp the public's preferences regarding consumption and presentation of information.
The Artistic Advantage in Climate Communication
Artists bring a unique skill set to climate and sustainability communication, with a focus on behavioral science and public response. Their work is inherently about understanding how audiences will engage with their creations, making them well-suited to contribute to climate programs at their inception, rather than after development or design.
In light of the challenges cities face in the climate space, including rising levels of mistrust, it's crucial to explore alternative strategies, such as the hiring of artists as core team members at the start of program development, not solely for the dissemination of information. The potential benefits include transforming how cities approach climate action and policy.
Reframing Climate Policy Issues
One example is the rethinking of esoteric mathematical and accounting aspects of climate policy, which are essential to carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions work. An artist could help cities reimagine how their emissions data are presented, offering a more creative and engaging approach to understanding and utilizing these figures.
Engaging Conceptualization
Another example is the physical aspects of sustainability, including buildings, transportation, energy, and waste. Much of this work is often out of sight and mind for the public. By conceptualizing these elements as blank canvases or theatrical experiences, cities could breathe new life into their decarbonizing efforts.
Prioritizing Justice and Equity
Lastly, artists play an integral role in addressing the justice and equity aspects of climate action and policy, which are increasingly the focus for many cities. Their input can help cities redesign and implement their climate plans in a more equitable manner.
Conclusion: Art at the Core
Cities have an opportunity to revolutionize their approach to climate and sustainability communication and engagement by integrating artists on a full-time basis into their teams. As Dr. Michael Shank notes, "All the world's a stage, so let's ensure the stage and its players are a part of the program production, not just the show-promoting parts of it." While cities have yet to widely adopt this practice, the value of artists in fostering communication and engagement is evident, and their involvement in sustainability initiatives is a growing trend.
- Cities are shifting their approach to public communication on climate and sustainability, embracing collaborative models for improved community engagement.
- The arts sector, with its focus on behavioral science and public response, offers an advantage in climate communication, potentially yielding higher returns on investment.
- Artists could help cities reimagine the presentation of climate policy data, offering a more creative and engaging approach to understanding and utilizing this information.
- By conceptualizing the physical aspects of sustainability as blank canvases or theatrical experiences, cities could breathe new life into their decarbonizing efforts.
- Artists also play an integral role in addressing the justice and equity aspects of climate action and policy, helping cities redesign and implement their climate plans in a more equitable manner.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and other lifestyle sectors, the creative perspectives of artists could inspire and influence sustainable living patterns among citizens.
- In education-and-self-development, personal-growth, career-development, learning, and skills-training, artists could bring unique insights and inspiring storytelling to curriculums, fostering a deeper connection with students.
- Entertainment, sports, weather, and weather-forecasting sectors could also benefit from artist involvement, enriching experiences for participants, spectators, and audiences alike, while raising awareness about sustainability and climate issues.
