In this session and panel, we discuss some of the ways in which art and design practices might help to support and develop renewable economies in the North and the Arctic taking in account the educational challenges for the youth in the region.We use the term Arctic Art and Design (AAD) to refer to contemporary art, design and media productions and educational practices aiming to sustainable development in the particular context of the North and the Arctic.
We investigate the potential of art and design in promoting renewable economies,using the concepts of ecosystem services (ES), particularly cultural ecosystem services (CES), and place-making as our theoretical and practical framework. This framework allows us to rethink the ways that creative entrepreneurs, businesses and communities may collaborate, through art and design, in sustainable place-based development in the rapidly changing Arctic. The dimensions of sustainability in this context include cultural and social sustainability, which means that the contemporary renewable productions must respect both indigenous and non-indigenous cultural diversity and heritage of the Arctic, and must be produced in collaboration with local inhabitants, so that the economic benefits are shared with the region.
By presenting case studies drawn from circumpolar countries, we aim not only to share our experiences and findings but also to suggest future lines of inquiry. We argue that creative, renewable economies in the fields of art and design can play an important role in the future of sustainable development in peripheral and remote areas in the Arctic. We also discuss how our findings challenge the methods of art and design education and research in universities in the Arctic and the North."
Confirmed speakers:
- Timo Jokela, University of Lapland, Finland
- Ruth Beer, Emily Carr University, Canada
- Svetlana Usenyuk-Kravchuk, Ural State University, Russia
- Herminia Din, University of Alaska Anchorage, USA
- Mette Gårvik, Nord University, Norway
- Maria Huhmarniemi, University of Lapland, Finland
- Glen Coutts, University of Lapland, Finland / Scotland