Root For the Future Collective formed as a radical thinking group in 2022 invited by Maeve Stone who was artivist in residence in Project Arts Centre at the time. The group includes Stone, Rosie O Reilly, Eileen Hutton Sinead Curran and Vanya Lambrecht Ward

In 2023 we approached Wexford Arts Office to support the development of the idea of a climate art assembly through The Arts Council’s Invitation to Collaboration funding. This application was successful and has led to a year of development through collective and individual residencies.

A citizens assembly defines the problems a society is facing democratically and are forums which facilitate all voices, promoting cohesion over division. The Roots for the Future collective has been working with 6 local Authority arts offices in 2024: Wexford (lead) and Clare (Munster), Cavan (Ulster), Galway (Connaught) Offaly ( Leinster), and Kilkenny, to research the development of a national Climate Art Assembly for 2025.

The aim of this assembly is to understand, promote and pioneer methodologies within the arts and culture sector that are instrumental in shifting behaviour and adaptation as we face climate breakdown.

As a concept, the Climate Art Assembly will be the first of its kind. It recognises that the arts sector is not a big emitter of carbon and will not have a big part to play in mitigation; but that art and the social contract that forms through collective experience will form the backbone of how we adapt as a society. The creative sector is essential for climate adaptation and all 6 LA arts offices welcome this opportunity to work with ‘Roots to the Future’ on this research phase to develop a Climate Art Assembly for 2025. Includes

●  Transdisciplinary research and consultation with support from experts.

●  Collective Residencies in Wexford

●  Four individual artist residencies in Clare, Cavan, Galway and Offaly

●  A Rhizome Artist working with Kilkenny Arts Office

●  Sharing of Phase One at Project Arts Centre with invited and public audience