San José Climate Art Program Symposium Day #1

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11am–6pm
Free; registration required.

Day #1: Sustainability and Climate Action in the Cultural Sector

Join us as we celebrate the completion of our pilot year with a symposium dedicated to advancing sustainability and mobilizing climate action in the Bay Area arts and cultural sector. This two-day event features presentations, discussions, and workshops designed to share best practices, expand networks, and provide valuable education on energy, waste, and circularity.

*Pre-register now for Day 1 to receive your admission ticket.

Registration is one per person only.

Register here

**Note: After registering with Luma, our team will issue a separate ticket from the San José Museum of Art. Please look out for the ticket from SJMA in your inbox. You will need the SJMA ticket for entrance to the Museum.


Day 1 Schedule

​Friday, October 11 | San José Museum of Art, 110 S Market St., San José, California

10:30–11am: Check In 

11:00–11:10am: Welcome Remarks by Susan Sayre Batton, Director, San José Museum of Art, and Kerry Adams Hapner, Director of Cultural Affairs, City of San José

​11:10–11:20am: Introduction by Danielle Siembieda, Office of Cultural Affairs, and Devon Bella, San José Climate Art Program

​11:20am–12:30pm: The Power of Resource Creation with Esailama G. Artry-Diouf, San Francisco Foundation; James Merle Thomas, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation; and Larissa Harris, Teiger Foundation; moderated by Sarah Sutton, Environment & Culture Partners 

​Empowering change within the creative economy requires ingenuity, foresight, and resources to facilitate a shift in how we create, practice, and support arts and culture for a more resilient future. In this discussion, you will learn from arts grantmakers about their distinctive perspectives on the power of resource creation and how they developed pathways to transform our practices in response to climate change and environmental challenges. 

12:30–1:30pm: Networking Lunch. Climate Art Symposium attendees will network over lunch and participate in table-top activities inspired by design thinking. Table captains will facilitate introductions and help stimulate conversation.

1:30–2:40pm: From Footprint to Forefront with Karen Rapp, San José Museum of Art; Jayden Lim, California Indian Museum and Cultural Center; Karen Kienzle, Palo Alto Art Center; James G. Leventhal, Institute of Contemporary Art San José; and moderated by Ian Garrett, Centre for the Sustainable Practice in the Arts

​The Bay Area is home to a vibrant arts and cultural scene actively working towards sustainability and achieving carbon neutrality. Leaders from local organizations will present a series of lightning talks, sharing their valuable experiences and insights on reducing the environmental impact of their operations and creating initiatives that foster resilience within their communities. 

2:40–3:50pm: San José Resilient Artists with Climate Art Program Artist Fellows Renée Hamilton-McNealy, Valentino Loyola, Steven Rubalcaba, Kaory Santillan, and Elba Martinez, moderated by Devon Bella

​For the inaugural year of the San José Climate Art Program, fifteen artists participated in a three-phase resilient artist fellowship aimed at measuring, assessing, and adapting artistic practices to be more resilient to climate change effects and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this presentation, artists will share their personal stories of transformation and individual commitments as active and effective agents in helping the city achieve its ambitious climate goals.

3:50–4pm: Closing Remarks

4–5pm: Reception

5–6pm: San José Museum of Art Gallery Tours. Exhibition on view: Seeing through Stone.

The program will be conducted entirely in English and recorded for future reference, with no translation or simultaneous streaming available. While full participation is encouraged, attendees also have the option to register for day one or individual workshops on day two, which will be held at the Environmental Innovation Center.