Sustainability in Performing Arts Production

At Stockholm University of the Arts (SKH), a group of researchers in the performing arts has for the past two years run the research project Sustainability in Performing Arts Production. The project focuses on how we can continue to make relevant and innovative performing arts with the least possible climate impact through changes in planning, production and work processes.

With the aim of exploring sustainable practices, the researchers have worked closely together on a fictional production – as well as having joint discussions and workshops where they analysed the performing arts’ climate challenges and opportunities for a sustainable transition. Valuable dialogue has also emerged around both opportunities and challenges for the industry and education. For example, how can artistic craftsmanship be maintained while reducing the use of materials, and how can international collaborations be kept alive with less impact on the climate?

“Performing arts as a collective creative process means that all our disciplines influence each other through the choices we make. A lighting designer who, for example, would choose the least possible lighting on stage to reduce the carbon footprint immediately affects the choices made by a costume designer, mask and wig designer or set designer. Here, the dialogue in the college became important, where we, based on our own focus, also commented on another researcher's focus-specific choices and what thoughts they raised in us”, says Johanna Garpe, Professor of Performing Arts at SKH and project manager for the research project.

As part of the project's outcomes, the researchers have created a web-based exposition where visitors can learn about the work of the specific disciplines represented in the project: set design, mask and wig design, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, stage production, lighting design, costume design and sound design. The exposition, which revolves around the author Harry Martinsson's Aniara, provides an insight into the processes and insights developed in each field and highlights how each discipline can contribute to climate-sustainable performing arts production. The project ended in spring 2024, but the new insights continue to influence education and future research at the university.
 
“Our students will be working in a completely different context than when we, researcher teachers, were educated. This is where interesting learning takes place as we explore how we actually enable the next generation of performing artists. We are already encountering questions from our students that we did not have to deal with ourselves during our own studies. Collective peer learning to support our students was – and is – central”.

The project represents a vital step toward integrating sustainability into performing arts education and production, serving as an inspiring example of how artistic research can support society’s climate transition.
 
The researchers behind the project: Anders Aare, Anders Duus, Synne Behrndt, Camilla Damkjær, Johanna Garpe, Markus Granqvist, Anders Larsson, Anna Ljungqvist, Mihra Lindblom, Jon Refsdal Moe, Anja Suša and Gunilla Pettersson Thafvelin, as well as co-researchers Frida Starvid and Rubén Widén.
 
Link to the exposition: Sustainability in Performing Arts Production
 
Read more about finished and ongoing research projects at SKH on sustainability: Sustainable development