Finally, we must acknowledge influences on thinking about the role of culture in sustainability from the field of eco-arts, which can be traced back to the 1960s.

Some artists find inspiration from the environment, while others use art to tackle critical environmental issues. In recent years, relationships between artists and environmentalists have grown stronger, based on their similar values and worldviews toward the preservation and protection of the environment. For instance, there is an increase of creative projects and educational programs that use arts and culture activities to:

Inform people about environmental issues

Blend creativity with environmental projects and planning in communities

Promote a living relationship with the land and living in harmony with nature, inspired by a growing interest in indigenous practices

Eco-arts projects are often collaborations initiated by artists, environmental groups, local musicians, or communities, and they tend to be connected to local concerns over pollution and other specific environmental issues. Artists who are engaged in cultural sustainability often see their creative projects as an environmental practice.

Photos courtesy of Karen Jamieson Dance Company