GCC Conference 2021: Decarbonising the Art World
Wednesday 24 November 2021, 9.30 am – 13.30 pm GMT
Barbican Centre, London + Online Live Stream
The conference, hosted by Louisa Buck (broadcaster, journalist and GCC co-founder) will mark GCC’s first anniversary and set out actions for the sector going forward.
In the first panel discussion, GCC Co-Founder Louisa Buck will speak with artists Fiona Banner and Haroon Mirza, cultural historian and inaugural director of V&A East, Gus Casely-Hayford, Curator and Strategic Consultant for Ecology at the Serpentine, Lucia Pietroiusti, and Frontline Conservation Specialist and Co-Founder of Synchronicity Earth & Flourishing Diversity, Jessica Sweidan about the value of collaboration, the potential for art to inspire social and ecological change, and the art world’s responsibility to address such issues as the impacts of capitalism and colonialism, the climate crisis, and social injustice.
An array of speakers from across the industry will join us for the second talk on ‘Taking Action’. Moderated by Sara Kassam, V&A Sustainability Lead, the panel will feature GCC’s Environmental Advisor, Danny Chivers, Director of Nottingham Contemporary, Sam Thorne, GCC Co-Founder and Gallerist, Kate MacGarry, and Sustainable Conservation and Restoration Specialist, Kim Kraczon. The contributors, who have hands-on-experience of environmental action, will discuss the practical measures the art world can take to improve sustainability and lower our collective carbon footprint, based on GCC research and data.
The panels will be followed by a reading from Ben Okri.
The conference will conclude GCC’s autumn programme of events and key moments, and will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the conclusions of COP26.
Running order*:
9:00-10:00
Breakfast. Pastries, fruit, teas and coffees.
10:00-10.20
Welcome and Event Introduction from event host Louisa Buck. Followed by an introduction to GCC’s new Decarbonisation Action Plan from GCC Managing Director, Heath Lowndes.
10.20-11.30
Panel Discussion 1: The Role of Art in Social and Ecological Change
Moderator: Louisa Buck
Contributors: Fiona Banner, Haroon Mirza, Lucia Pietroiusti, Jessica Sweidan & Gus Casely-Hayford
11.30-12:00
Break. Tea and coffee provided.
12:00-13:10
Panel Discussion 2: Taking Action - Decarbonising the Art World
Moderator: Sara Kassam
Contributors: Sam Thorne, Kate MacGarry, Danny Chivers & Kim Kraczon
13:10-13:20
Reading by Ben Okri
13:20-13.30
Closing words from Victoria Siddall
* Discussion timings subject to change.
