HOW TO BE A
GREEN ARTIST

INTRODUCTION

Sustainability means thinking in the long term. How will your actions impact future generations, 100 years from now? Art is also about the big picture. Artists want to expand peoples’ perceptions, to convey ideas and themes beyond daily life. Sustainability and Art, then, are both concerned with immortality, with the big picture, and are about more than just getting through the day: They are about changing the world.

We want your art to be immortal, to live on 100 years from now and impact future generations. The only way to do this is to consider sustainable practices: your art can only live on if the world lives on.

A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

The excessive burning of coal, gas, and oil has overpowered the Earth’s atmosphere with Greenhouse Gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Mass deforestation has limited the environment’s ability to absorb these Greenhouse Gases, allowing them to pollute the atmosphere.

This pollution causes increased temperatures, known as Global Warming, and abnormal weather patterns, known as Climate Change, and, according to National Geographic, the symptoms are as follows:

  • The last two decades of the 20th Century were the hottest on record in 400 years.
  • Glacier National Park in Montana, Julianne’s home state, had 150 glaciers in 1910 and now has only 27.
  • By the end of the 21st Century, sea level may rise between 7 and 23 inches. Rises of just 4 inches could flood many South Seas islands and large parts of Southeast Asia.
  • More than a million species face extinction. (National Geographic 2009)

HOW CAN WE FIX IT?

If Al Gore has taught us anything, it’s that there is no quick fix. Rather, we must change our daily habits: the way we eat, the way we travel, the way we buy, the way we fly. This document will provide a detailed list of small and large ways in which you can create sustainable art. These practices revolve around three core concepts of sustainable art:

  • Innovation: creatively harnessing emerging strategies and green technology for increased energy efficiency and environmentalism.
  • Conservation: responsible use of the earth’s natural resources and waste minimization.
  • Education: promoting ethical behavior towards energy and the environment by creating memorable event experiences.

As an artist, you are uniquely equipped with your imagination and creativity, to find innovative ways to promote sustainability. As an important figure in public communication and the public dialogue, you are perfectly positioned to educate people about sustainability. And as a starving fringe bohemian, you would do well to conserve your resources and minimize waste!

YOUR GREEN PLAN

The following is a catalogue of Environmentally Friendly Practices (EFPs) designed to build a better future and sustain your art, your audience, and the world for hundreds of years. Appoint someone in your organization to be your Environmental Officer. Pick and choose from these EFPs and tailor them to your art. Write your own Green Plan which describes your values and goals and the specific EFPs that will achieve these. Be ambitious! You may not achieve all your goals at once; the important thing is to gradually become greener. Share your Green Plan: Your audience will want to know your environmental ethics, and it may drive sales! It also might inspire them.

PRINT

  • Order your promotional printed materials from a green printer such as ABC Imaging, at www.abcimaging.com.
  • Use recycled paper or paper harvested from sustainable sources.
  • If possible, use vegetable-based or organic inks.
  • Carefully calculate the amount of printed materials you will use, so that you don’t end up with a wasted surplus.
  • Try and design your print so that it can have a life beyond its original purpose. Could the same print design be used for next year’s performance as well? Could your palmcards also be used as postcards? Could they be used as art?
  • If you end up with a surplus, find a second use for it. Posters can be used to wrap presents, and palmcards can be used to decorate with.
  • Can you use less paper by printing smaller? Decrease the font on your program and see if you can save paper.
  • Always print on both sides of the paper!
  • Can you send promotional material online instead of through the post? Send a PDF of your marketing material to people, telling them that “this email is part of my environmental initiative.” They will understand that you are saving paper.

SETS, PROPS AND COSTUMES

  • Reuse old building materials for your set. Did you know that the Baldacchino Bar is made from reused doors?
  • Check out Community Forklift for reused building materials: www.communityforklift.com.
  • Get your hands on some funky vintage furniture and decor for your set. Don’t buy new!
  • Use secondhand clothes from thrift shops to use as costumes.
  • Get used props from secondhand shops.
  • For all things used, try www.craigslist.org, and you might even get it for free!
  • Use organic cleaning solutions to maintain your sets, props and costumes.

ENERGY

  • Switching to renewable energy is as simple as calling the electric company. Contact Clean Currents at www.cleancurrents.com to switch to their Chesapeake Green wind power program. It’s actually cheaper than standard electricity!
  • Ask your theatre who their electricity provider is, and persuade them to have a look at www.cleancurrents.com.
  • Need energy at an outdoor or mobile venue? Contact Clean Currents for an estimate on solar power installation.
  • Passive Solar Power is simply using sunshine as a source of light and heat. Turn off your lights and open the windows!
  • Don’t leave your technical equipment on standby. After testing them, leave all lights, sound and other equipment off until a half hour before the show.
  • Don’t leave your computer or cell phone plugged in if they are full.
  • Use Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights, which use vastly less electricity than standard theatrical lights.
  • Insulate your theatre so that less heat is needed in the winter.

TRANSPORTATION

  • All Fringe venues are located near metro bus and rail stops. Visit www.wmata.com to plan your trip now! Not near a metro stop? Drive to the nearest station and go from there!
  • Carpool. The Fringe is one big happy family.
  • Don’t leave your car idling when picking people up or loading supplies.
  • Imagine running your car on french fry oil. Your car may be able to run on biodiesel. Check out the DC biodiesel resource guide at www.ccurisa.org.
  • Bicycle! Skateboard! Just wear a helmet. Washington Area Bicyclist Association: www.waba.org.

FOOD AND PACKAGING

  • Whenever possible by food and drink that has the four “L”s:
    • Local: support your local farmers. Avoid produce that has been shipped halfway across the world.
    • Natural: organic food just tastes better.
    • Seasonal: say NO to strawberries in December or apples in July.
    • Ethical: buy Fair Trade bananas, chocolate and coffee, and free-range eggs and chicken.
  • You can find these foods at Eastern Market, Whole Foods and Yes! Organic Market.
  • Minimize waste by avoiding individually-wrapped foods.
  • Buy food and drink that comes in recycled or recyclable packaging.

WASTE

  • Use all recyclable materials, if possible.
  • Check out the DC Office of Recycling for info on how to recycle: www.recycle.dpw.dc.gov.
  • Consider composting food waste—it’s easier than you think! Visit Tree Hugger at www.treehugger.com to compare domestic and industrial composters.
  • Provide clearly-labeled, well-maintained trash and recycling bins at all logical locations for your audience to use.

MARKETING

  • Tell your audience about your EFPs. They want to know! Create a “Green” section on your website.
  • Encourage your audience to use public transit. Give them clear information on how to attend your performance on public transit.
  • Do not claim that you are doing more than you actually are. Avoid “Greenwash” which is painting yourself green without actually using EFPs. If you want to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.
  • If your art process has emitted considerable CO2, whether from transportation (international flights?) or energy (portable gas generator?) consider purchasing Carbon Offsets.
  • Avoid the term “carbon neutral” as it is difficult to prove. If you are serious about reducing carbon emissions and offsetting them, try saying “carbon balancing.”
  • If appropriate, incorporate themes of sustainability and the environment in your work.

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

  • Partner with local community organizations.
  • Take on disadvantaged youths as interns to teach them about art.
  • Reach out to local charities and see if you can offer them a discount on attendance or advertisements in your program.
  • From out of town? Research your host city so that you can make a meaningful connection with audiences.
  • Consider a talk-back session after your performance to discuss the themes and issues with the audience and create that public dialogue.

RESOURCES