The Ringling Presents Artists and Climate Change Incubator Multiday Event

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is pleased to announce they will be offering an Artists and Climate Change Incubator with Chantal Bilodeau of The Arctic Cycle (NYC). The program, which will include interdisciplinary conversations, interaction with exhibits, film and workshops will be held Nov. 21-24, 2019. The Incubator is an intensive workshop for artists, activists, scientists, citizens and educators interested in engaging, or furthering their engagement with, climate change through the arts. Intended for an intimate working group, it provides a space for focused reflection, exchange of ideas, learning from other fields, and expanding possibilities beyond traditional forms and venues.

Elizabeth Doud, The Ringling’s Currie-Kohlman Curator of Performance and organizer of the event said “This is a unique and transformational experience at the crossroads of environment and culture with facilitated dialogues, practical exercises, exhibits, walks and film at the museum and botanical gardens of The Ringling. During this three and a half day intensive, participants interact with accomplished guest speakers from fields such as environmental humanities, climate science, climate change activism, and visual and performing arts.” Lead by the co-founder of the groundbreaking Climate Change Theatre Action, Chantal Bilodeau, work sessions allow everyone to dig deep into the challenges and concerns of working at the intersection of arts and climate change. Discussions will explore embracing activism without sacrificing personal vision and artistic integrity, letting go of the idea of “product,” and bringing the arts to nontraditional audiences. The cost for the multiday event is $250, $225 for Members and $125 for Students. Full museum admission from Nov. 22-24, is included with the Incubator and parking is free. Discount hotel rates are available for out of town participants.

Several of the events that are included with the incubator will be open to the public, including the exhibit/experience Joseph’s Coat, by James Turrell, and one of the museum’s On Screen offerings. The film Landfill Harmonic will be shown Nov. 22, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic Asolo Theater. Landfill Harmonic follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan musical youth group who live next to one of South America’s largest landfills. This unlikely orchestra plays music from instruments made entirely out of garbage. When their story goes viral, the orchestra is catapulted into the global spotlight. With the guidance of their music director, Favio Chávez, they must navigate this new world of arenas and sold out concerts. However, when a natural disaster devastates their community, the orchestra provides a source of hope for the town. Cost is $20 or $18 for Members.

On Nov. 23, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. The Ringling will host a Conversation with Chantal Bilodeau of The Arctic Cycle and a community panel. The event is open to general audiences, and will provide an opportunity for the public to preview the work that the incubator participants have been exploring and researching and touch on how the arts intersect with local issues. This conversation will provide a thought-driven examination of the challenges of encouraging positive action by using artistic practices in addressing climate change. Cost is 5.00 or free for members.