Sustainable Visual Arts Network

Objective

The Sustainable Visual Arts Network is a peer-to-peer network that aims to support and strengthen the competence of communities and organisations in the visual arts field on issues related to the sustainability transition.

We share information on sustainability through network meetings and this website.

Activities

The Sustainable Visual Arts Network organizes four network meetings annually, three of which are held online to facilitate participation across Finland.

One network meeting per year is a conference or seminar, which allows for both face-to-face and remote participation. The conference shares the latest knowledge and expertise from the field, without forgetting the international dimension.

The organisers of the annual conference and the initial funding plan will be agreed at the network meetings (3rd or 4th meeting of the year at the latest) in good time, taking into account the grant application timetable.

The chairing organisations may decide on having other meetings (e.g. more informal breakfasts) in the year of their responsibility according to their resources and the needs of the network.

Membership

Organisations and communities in the visual arts field, that want to promote the sustainability transition in their own organisation, can be members of the Sustainable Visual Arts Network.

Membership can be applied for via this website and new members are admitted to the network in network meetings. Each organisation can appoint one official representative to the network, but several staff members from the same organisation can participate in the network activities.

A network member has the obligation to actively develop their sustainability skills and to share their expertise within the network in order to contribute to the development of the skills, knowledge, and capacities of the network members, as well as to extend the network's impact beyond its boundaries.

To apply for network membership, please use this application form.

Leadership

The network has two chair orgnisations each year. In order to represent the diverse field, one organisation represents larger arts institutions (e.g. museums, advocacy organisations, etc.) and the other smaller ones (associations, artist-based groups, etc.).

The new chairing organisations are chosen annually from those who have stood for election at the fourth meeting of the network, i.e. the last meeting of the year.

The network has a steering group composed of representatives of the chair organisations for the coming years (2 years). The role of the Steering Group is to support the current Chairs in their role and to ensure continuity of leadership in the network. The Steering Group may hold its own meetings, which are open to other members of the network.

The Sustainable Visual Arts Network organises four network meetings per year, three of which are remote meetings to allow easy participation of members from different parts of Finland. One network meeting per year is a conference, which allows both face-to-face and remote participation. The conference shares the latest knowledge and expertise from the field, without forgetting the international dimension.

The organisers of the annual conference and the initial budget will be agreed at the network meetings (no later than the 3rd or 4th meeting of the year) in good time, taking into account the timetable for grant applications.

Chairing organisations may decide on organising other meetings (e.g. more informal breakfasts) during their year of responsibility, according to their resources and the needs of the network.

Language

The official language of the network is Finnish and other languages may be used depending on the needs of the members. Smaller sub-groups may be formed within the network, which can work in their own language. Depending on the resources of the chairing organisations and the needs of the network, meeting minutes will be translated into languages such as Swedish, English or Sámi and published on the Green Art website. If necessary, one or more of the four network meetings per year can be organised in English.

Communication

Communication within the network takes place via an e-mail list of network members and external communication on this website. The list of the network's organisational members is maintained by the responsible chair organisation.

The Green Art website and the Sustainable Visual Arts Network have a joint social media channel on Instagram (@vihreataide), which also serves as the network's external communication channel for meetings, events and current discussion topics.

Chair organisations will draw up a communication plan for the year, according to their own resources.

Sustainable Visual Arts Day 2024

The Sustainable Visual Arts Day on 26 April 2024 brought together visual arts professionals and organisations to learn about ecologically sustainable practices and envision a greener future together. The event introduced the Sustainable Visual Arts Network and launched the Vihreataide.fi website. Read more about the event here.

Contact information

The network has to chair organizations that change annually. In 2024 the network chair organizations are:

IHME Helsinki: info@ihmehelsinki.fi

Frame Contemporary Art Finland: info@frame-finland.fi