.

symposium + salon

for artists and scientists concerned about

community and ecosystem resilience

Climate change creates new risks and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities in communities already facing water challenges. Join us as we explore collective action and consider the following questions: 

• How do we cope with the cultural and economic losses from climate change?

• How do we talk about loss that can’t be quantified?

• Do we build more structural defenses or do we adapt our communities to the “new normal”?

• Who makes these decisions?

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? 

WHAT’S OUR GOAL?

To collaborate and to spark action! We want to ground the adaptation conversation in culture, people and communities; to focus our efforts on tangible outcomes; and to learn how to be allies in this global struggle.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Artists, scientists, and engineers who (1) are concerned about water management and climate change, and (2) recognize that we need to fundamentally shift who has a seat at the decision-making table. We commit to centering the voices of those who have historically been left out of decisions that impact their communities, health, and safety.

A (Mostly) “Un-conference” Gathering:  The symposium will follow a mix of more traditional events and skeleton structure, while holding space for an “un-conference” style approach. 

The climate crisis facing our communities demands that we find new ways of working together. Join us for an intimate evening of art, science, culture and engagement as we explore collective action and consider the following questions:

• How do we account for cultural losses from climate change?

• How do we empower those that have traditionally been left out of decision-making spaces?

• What is the role of art and science in addressing the realities of living with water in a changing world?

The salon will bring together artists, scientists, engineers, and community organizers who are concerned about water management in the era of climate change and recognize that this crisis requires us to fundamentally disrupt our decision-making frameworks. This event will provide all participants with a unique space for sharing, listening, learning and being inspired to take action!

An art+science4climate party will immediately follow the salon (after 9:30 pm) and will take place in the same space.

Location
DecadesOut Studio
200 6th Street, Studio 2B
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Entry
Early Bird Ticket $20
Regular Ticket $25
Student Ticket $10

CONVENING PARTNERs

US-Netherlands Water Management Network 

The US-Netherlands Water Management Network is an informal network of water management researchers, students, and professionals that have conducted research and studied in the Netherlands through a NAF-Fulbright Flood Management Research Fellowship. (The US-Netherlands Water Management Network is convening the symposium with the assistance of the following organizations.)

DecadesOut

DecadesOut’s mission is to raise public awareness of the cultural impact between science and the arts as they impact policy and social change through developing and producing projects in the disciplines of theatre, film, visual arts, and digital media. Its most recent project, Head for Highland, is a feature length documentary about community action, creation and collaboration between science and art against the real and increasing threats of climate change. DecadesOut serves as the fiscal sponsor, in addition to helping organize the symposium and host the salon.

Works on Water 

Works on Water (WoW) is dedicated to supporting artists working on, in, and with bodies of water in response to the changing climate, increasing urban density, and public awareness of ecological concerns. WoW hosts a residency program on Governors Island and produces a triennial in order to help define the emerging field of Water Art. WoW’s intergenerational community of artists/curators/researchers/activists expand civic practices and increase public engagement with water by making rigorous, inclusive, site-specific artwork. The next triennial will take place in bodies of water around New York City’s waterways in September 2020. (Works on Water is hosting and helping organize the symposium on Governors Island.)

Imagine Water Works

We’re reimagining the future through art, science, and human connection. Since 2012 we’ve helped lead the changes in how New Orleans thinks about living with water, working in an intersection of reducing risk from flooding, pollution, and natural hazards. We knew that the best solutions were multidisciplinary, and so we integrated science, history, identity, and art into our work. (Imagine Water Works is helping organize the symposium and providing equity considerations.)

Symposium and Salon Sponsors

This event was made possible, in part, by a cultural grant from the Netherland-America Foundation and sponsorship from Arcadis, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Watershed Science + Design.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Community Engagement Sponsor: $5,000

This sponsorship level will support our commitment to engaging community members and will help cover transportation and lodging for symposium attendees. 

Community Engagement Sponsors will receive: 

• Registration to all symposium events for 5 attendees

• Special recognition at the symposium 

• Prominent logo listing on the symposium webpage and all printed materials

Climate Artists Sponsor: $2,500

This sponsorship level will support our commitment to engaging artists and will help cover transportation costs and paying artists for their contribution to symposium materials and climate crisis communication.

Climate Artists Sponsors will receive: 

• Registration to all symposium events for 3 attendees

• Recognition at the symposium

• Logo listing on the symposium webpage and all printed materials

Sustaining Sponsor: $1,000

This sponsorship level will support our commitment to engaging scientists, artists, and researchers and will help cover stipends for speakers at the symposium and salon. 

Sustaining Sponsors will receive: 

• Registration to all symposium events for 2 attendees

• Recognition at the symposium

• Logo listing on the symposium webpage and all printed materials

Subsistence Sponsor: $500

This sponsorship level will support our commitment to providing food and drinks from local and BIPOC-owned restaurants during our symposium and salon. 

Subsistence Sponsors will receive: 

• Registration to all symposium events for 1 attendee

• Recognition at the symposium

• Logo listing on the symposium webpage and all printed materials