The Art of the Possible – Circular Economy in Arts and Culture

Join SOENECS Ltd for an informal lunchtime discussion hosted by Circular Economy Club London as part of Circular Cities Week 2023. 

Arts Council England has commissioned circular economy research and innovation practice, SOcial ENvironmental and EConomic Solutions (SOENECS) to explore opportunities to reduce single-use consumption through circular economy networks within the UK arts and culture sector. 

Working with SOENECS, the Arts Council aims to explore how circular economy networks, activities and stakeholders in the UK and globally are supporting cultural and wider sectors to become more environmentally sustainable through strategies of reuse and recycling that are central throughout their organisations.  We are evaluating what already exists in this space, what impact is being generated as well as discovering how this activity could be supported and expanded further. 

This research project is particularly interested in reuse and sharing at all scales, from hyperlocal to national. These activities might relate to materials, equipment (including sets, props, and costumes) and furniture or space across visual arts, dance, theatre and touring, combined arts, festivals, museums, and music. 

The project has commenced with a review of current circular economy networks and activities nationally and internationally within the sector and has gathered examples of potentially transferable circular activity from outside of the sector. 

This informal discussion will be led by SOENECS; it will: 

• Explore what circular economy activities are already happening in the arts and culture sector. 

• Enable participants to share new information about what is going on in their area of work. 
• Generate potential participants for focus groups to be held later during this research project. 
• Discuss barriers and solutions to circularity in the sector. 

There will be a brief introduction from The Arts Council, and SOENECS will provide an overview of work so far and lead the discussions and interactive breakout rooms. 

Everyone is welcome – whether you are involved in arts and culture professionally or otherwise; or take an interest as a circular economy or environmental sustainability professional or enthusiast. 

Photo by Tyler Lastovich on Unsplash 

Accessibility 

We want to ensure that participating in our discussion is accessible to everyone.  If you have any accessibility requirements that will enable you to take part, please let us know by contacting the organisers info@soenecs.co.uk and we will work with you to ensure that we can meet your needs.