The Playhouse’s climate action project Artitude, has announced a free three day community-led celebration of art, climate action and the circular economy.
The Artitude Climate Festival, which is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund, will take place in The Playtrail in Derry from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 June 2023.
Plant Art and seed workshops, beekeeping talks, a Feasting on Weeds foraging walk and talk, allotment tours, eco face- painting, storytelling and forest schools are all on the festival agenda.
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The Gathering will also present a full day of discussion, workshops, music, performance, creativity, exchange and laughter in celebration of Mother Nature on Saturday 24 June.
Playhouse CEO Kevin Murphy said: “As a community, we have a responsibility to positively choose to help sustain our planet’s climate. As an artistic community, we have extra tools to help us do this.
“Arts can dig deep into the story of the climate emergency, creating narrative, meaning and understanding that helps people make their own choices to improve quality of life and support climate action. These three days will be just a small snapshot of the ways in which creativity can bring organisations, networks and people across the Derry City and Strabane District together to collaborate, pool resources and build a committed net zero movement.
“We are also delighted to spend three days at the unique outdoor play and educational facility that is The Playtrail, it’s a perfect open, natural and accessible space used by families and support services.”
Kate Beggs, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Northern Ireland Director said: “Our Climate Action Fund was set up to bring communities together and show what is possible when people take the lead in tackling climate change. We are inspired to see what Artitude have achieved so far through their grant, by raising awareness and changing attitudes.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we continue to support local communities that are considering environmental impact, as small steps can make a big difference. We look forward to the festival in June.”
Showcasing creative, community-led responses to the climate emergency, the festival is delivered in collaboration with The Gathering, Zero Waste North West, Northern Ireland Resources Network, Environmental Justice Network Ireland and Making Relatives - a visit of water and land protectors from Lakota Nation, US.
Emerging from The Playhouse's Artitude: Climate, Culture and Circularity project, the festival is part of a unique and transformational programme of activity, using the arts and creative practice to engage communities in the DCSDC area in exploring climate action and the circular economy, with a view to encouraging positive behavioural change.
The Playhouse Artitude project is a partnership between The Playhouse, Queen's University Belfast, DCSDC and two community-led, grassroots networks - NIRN and ZWNW. More information is available at www.derryplayhouse.co.uk.
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