An Artists’ Climate Group
I am twenty-nine-years old and an RC teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. I am female, white, middle class, a climate activist, and an artist. I write poetry; and I write, direct, and perform plays and other performance pieces.
I also lead a non-RC support group for artists who are climate activists. We have met two times so far.
I first have people introduce themselves. Then I give a short talk about the intersection of artists’ oppression/liberation and the fight to end the climate crisis. I also mention the feelings that can come up when we look at the climate crisis.
I describe the crisis as a complex problem and say that ending it requires bold, creative thinkers. Artists are essential in that fight. We often have a great picture of reality, can communicate key concepts clearly and humanly, and can help people feel connected to each other.
I introduce listening exchanges as a way to process and release the emotions that can come up from being artists and putting attention on the climate crisis. I talk about how we’ve been discouraged, defeated, and disconnected from each other.
Then we do solo creative work off a prompt (such as “your connection to the earth” or “hope and discouragement”). The purpose is to be creative in a supportive, non-judgmental environment, and we appreciate each other when we share what we’ve done.
I’ve also tried “supported thinking groups and pairs.” I say that we spend a lot of time trying to figure things out on our own [alone] and that it can help to think out loud with the support of another person. I stress that there’s no need to be perfect, that we’re not pitching [promoting] ourselves for a grant or auditioning for something! The person who is thinking can decide if they want the listener to ask questions, just listen, or share their own thoughts and reactions (which differs from an RC “think and listen”).
People share their thoughts and questions throughout the meeting and appreciate each other and me at the end.
My goal is to make more artwork about the climate crisis and organize other artists to take action. I’d like to form a cohesive, committed group from the people who have been coming to the meetings.
Brookline, Massachusetts, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of artists
(Present Time 208, July 2022)