No time wasted. The lessons from the Green Art Lab Alliance

Over a period of two years (May 2013 - May 2015), a pan-European network of cultural organisations worked together in the GALA Green Lab Art Alliance, by investigating and promoting environmental sustainability and by sharing experiences and exchanging good practice.

GALA grew out of an existing partnership between DutchCulture | TransArtists and Julie's Bicycle (UK). The project activated 19 partner organisations based in 11 European countries, as well as in Georgia and Singapore.

Through partner meetings, Artist Labs and Sustainability Workshops, the large diverse group of partners tried to find a common ground, which was far from easy as partners needed to be realistic about their national context and different levels of knowledge and environmental awareness. Other challenges included the arts and cultural sector policy climate in general. In times of budget cuts, the belief that environmental sustainability measures would be something 'extra', potentially costly, was sometimes difficult to overcome.

Folluw up
Over two years, GALA has made a strond investment in learning and was a supportive environment to use newly acquired knowledge as a springboard for change in professional, organisational and personal life, as well as in policy areas. A community of practice has started to emerge.

This spring, the GALA meeting in Glasgow marked the end of the project. Or was it a new beginning? Since the final partners' meeting, a few GALA activities took place and publications were disseminated, like a funding guide for arts and culture projects related to environmental sustainability and Carbon footprint analysis and measuring tool. Also, some spin-offs are starting to take shape. Read more and stay tuned via greenartlaballiance.eu.