We are delighted to share Cultural Interventions in Climate and Displacement, a new insight paper co-commissioned by Counterpoints Arts and the British Council, written by socially engaged artist and researcher Dana Olărescu.
Climate-induced displacement is one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Yet the cultural and artistic responses to this crisis, particularly those rooted in the lived experience of displacement, remain underexplored. This paper sets out to challenge that and inspire more work at this intersection, more partnerships, commissions, funding streams and resources.
Drawing on in-depth conversations with eight artists and organisations whose practices sit at the intersection of climate, migration and cultural change, the paper maps the different ways art responds to, documents and reimagines displacement. It asks what art and culture bring to this conversation that policy and science alone cannot. These eight practices show what becomes possible when artists with direct ties to displacement lead the work: storytelling rooted in community, long-term trust-building over short-term outputs, and cultural memory as a form of knowledge that policy spaces urgently need but rarely invite in.
We are grateful to all the artists and organisations whose work, generosity and time made this paper possible: dhaqan collective, Matthieu Rytz, Vivien Sansour, Climate Spring, Soumik Datta, Edward Lawrenson, Emmanuela Yogolelo and DISPLACEMENT: Uncertain Journeys. Each of them is doing essential work, often without adequate resources or recognition. This paper is, in part, a tribute to that.
Our deep thanks also go to Dana Olărescu for bringing her own practice, politics and care to this research. Her voice and commitment are present throughout.
We hope this paper is a starting point. Read it, share it and let it open new conversations.
Read the insight paper online HERE
You can also view and download the PDF HERE
