Culture for Climate Scotland brings together individuals, organisations and policymakers across the culture and sustainability sectors to drive environmental action. Its new project, Sea Change: Co-creating coastal futures, uses arts-led approaches to engage coastal communities in climate action and decision-making. The Foundation is pleased to be contributing £200,000 to support the design and delivery of Sea Change, which we see as aligned with evidence from our PARTIS & Art for Change and Civic Role of Arts Organisations programmes about how arts organisations working with communities can catalyse transformative change.

Coastal communities in Scotland are among the most deprived areas in the UK and the most affected by climate change. Rising sea-levels, changes in the fishing industry and the transition to renewable energy has left many people feeling disconnected from climate policy, leading to backlash against the green agenda and a rise in populist politics. Against this backdrop, Sea Change will collaborate with artists, communities and local and national authorities to strengthen community cohesion and develop just transition plans in two of Scotland’s most impacted coastal regions. Led by Culture for Climate Scotland, Sea Change is delivered in partnership with NatureScot, the Marine Directorate Scotland, and Creative Scotland, ensuring collaboration between cultural and environmental bodies to strengthen community-led climate action.

Sea Change

Over three years, the programme will demonstrate how arts-climate-community projects can drive real impact, equipping policymakers with evidence to integrate arts-led approaches into decision-making. Local ‘anchor’ organisations and artists embedded within the communities will lead creative activities that help residents explore how climate change is affecting their area. Through this process, each community will co-create a place-based arts-climate project and a just transition plant that envisions sustainable action tailored to their area. Insight from the programme will be shared through workshops and a conference, offering case studies on how creative approaches can shape just transition strategies and foster meaningful climate engagement in Scotland and beyond.

This initiative highlights the power of two-way dialogue between communities and environmental policymakers. The Foundation’s support for Culture for Climate Scotland reflects our commitment to participatory arts practices as a tool for empowerment and positive social change, ensuring those most affected by climate policies have a voice in shaping their future.