In this issue of enews we focus on some of the fantastic work taking place across the region, towards the development of environmentally sustainable arts and creative industry practice.  From events to fashion, publishing, screen production and beyond, there is much that can be done to minimise the impact of our activities on the planet. 

This selection of articles is intended to stir your thoughts and imaginations in the lead up to Arts Northern Rivers' inaugural Art, Environment and Sustainable Practice Forum, to be held in the SCU Room at Byron Bay Community Centre, on Monday March 7, from 10am to 12 noon.

We are delighted to present this event in partnership with the Byron Bay International Film Festival, a local arts organisation, which has, over the past six years, demonstrated a clear commitment to showcasing films with an environmental message.

The idea of the Forum is to bring like minds together from the diversity of art forms for an open discussion and debate, and to develop action plans which will in the future be ready tools to inform and influence policy and strategic direction for government, organisations and our individual practice.

The program will require each participant to actively voice their ideas, experiences, inspirations and aspirations. There is much that we can share and learn from each other, including many examples of best practice in our region that go unacknowledged.

The Forum will host two guest speakers from our region:

Ilka Blue Nelson is the resident Creative Environmentalist at The Last Tree. She works internationally consulting on a gamut of social sustainability projects from large housing developments to multi-day festivals such as the Seven Thousand Oaks Arts and Sustainability Festival.

Kamya O'Keefe has worked extensively in Australia, the UK, USA and New Zealand in the areas of cultural management and environment best practice. She has an interest in patterns as reflected in nature and the crossover into human engagement.

The Forum is a free event, but places are limited and pre-registration is essential.  To book your place email info@artsnorthernrivers.com.au or telephone Kaley on 02 6628 8120.

For those who would like to stay on, the Forum will be followed by the Byron Bay Film Festival screening of Cultures of Resistance, a documentary exploring the power of art, poetry, music and dance as weapons of peace. Tickets for the screening cost $6.50 and can be booked online at www.bbff.com.au.

I will also be participating in a discussion panel, Sense and Sustainability - More Green for the Screen, presented by BBFF on Friday March 11.  Other panel members include Cate McQuillen (dirtgirlworld) Tara Wardrop (Associate Producer) and Georgia Hine (PR/marketing) from the DeforestACTION project, Helena Norbert-Hodge (The Economics of Happiness) and Jane Hanckel (Inspired Foundation).  Find out more at www.bbff.com.au/free-events.

Tony Duke
CEO, Arts Northern Rivers