Credits: Nina Klarić
The EcoArts Nexus is an online repository that compiles extensive knowledge at the intersection of the arts and the environment from various fields and practices. It includes resources such as examples of funding schemes for cultural adaptation and artistic practices addressing environmental issues, tools and guidelines, literature, awards, as well as initiatives, projects and organisations dedicated to connecting art and culture with the environment. Divided into 15 categories, the repository currently features over 250 entries. It serves as a living map, detailing the landscape of philanthropic institutions, public funding sources, the art world, and the cultural sector – all united in their commitment to addressing the urgent environmental challenges of our time. By being a continuous work in progress, we invite you to share and present your practices if they are still not included in this online archive.
The Kultura Nova Foundation initiated this repository of knowledge in arts and culture, environment and funding, within the framework of the Philea Arts and Culture Funders Forum (ACFF) and in collaboration with the Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso.
At its core, the EcoArts Nexus is instrumental in gathering and disseminating information crucial for understanding and navigating the complex relationships between environmental policies, funding strategies, capacity-building programmes, and the development of green tools and guidebooks tailored specifically for the arts and culture sectors. It is a vast pool of reports, resources and data essential for different actors looking to foster a deeper engagement with environmental sustainability within their arts and cultural practices.
Beyond its function as a comprehensive data repository, the EcoArts Nexus aspires to play a transformative role in the cultural and environmental sectors. Its primary goal is to significantly enhance the visibility of current practices that merge ecological concern with cultural expression, thereby inspiring and motivating a broader spectrum of actors to embrace and drive positive change towards carbon-neutral cultural sector. Through showcasing innovative practices and facilitating access to a wealth of resources, this repository aims to foster efforts that not only address environmental urgencies, but also highlight the unique role of the arts and culture in advancing sustainable futures.
Offering open access to all its resources, the EcoArts Nexus is designed to be an adaptable and continuously growing document. It invites ongoing contributions and updates, welcoming new data, insights, and resources. By doing so, it serves the immediate needs of its users and contributes to a broader understanding of how the arts and culture can intersect with environmental sustainability to foster a more ecologically conscious and culturally vibrant world.
Being developed and curated under the supportive umbrella of the Philea Arts and Culture Funders Forum, the EcoArts Nexus represents an important example of the power of collective effort. The initiative benefits from the collective expertise of its main contributors, the Kultura Nova Foundation and the Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso, with valuable additional contributions from Porticus and other philanthropy organisations in sharing data. The production of the Repository was supported by the Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso and Philea Arts and Culture Funders Forum, while the roles of editing, coordination, future web maintenance, and updates were taken on by Kultura Nova. This collaborative model ensures that EcoArts Nexus remains a dynamic and evolving platform, responsive to the needs and insights of its diverse user base.
Philea Arts and Culture Funders Forum
The voice of European philanthropy, Philea nurtures a diverse and inclusive ecosystem of foundations, philanthropic organisations and networks working for the common good. Philea’s Arts and Culture Funders Forum aims to help shape the future of cultural philanthropy. It provides a forward-thinking environment for arts and culture funders in Europe to come together and work to reinforce the sector. It also offers engaging opportunities for site visits, in-person events and webinars.
The Fondation Daniel et Nina Carasso works to bring about a society that is respectful of the environment, one that is inclusive and in which people can flourish. It focuses on two major areas, Sustainable Food Systems – ensuring universal access to healthy food produced in a manner that respects people and ecosystems; and Art in the Community that aims to foster critical thinking and reinforce social cohesion. It is a private family foundation that was created in 2010 under the aegis of the Fondation de France. It is independent of any corporation.
Kultura Nova Foundation provides professional and financial support to civil society organizations in contemporary arts and culture in Croatia. In order to create sustainable landscape for the sector, Kultura Nova creates various support programs as well as its own educational programs in the field of cultural management. It also participates in the formation of innovative cultural policies and develops research programs to better understand and create long-term strategies for the sector.
