On September 22, 2024, the inaugural Street Works Earth festival will transform 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens into a vibrant showcase of art and climate action. This free, open-to-the-public event aims to spark joy and inspire hopeful action in support of climate and environmental justice during the 2024 New York Climate Week.
Organized by Make Justice Normal (MJN), Street Works Earth will feature 17 interactive art installations and 23 climate and civic action tables along one of the longest open streets in America. The festival's location in Jackson Heights, a community that is approximately 85% BIPOC with over 150 languages spoken, highlights the event's focus on communities most affected by climate change.
The festival's unique approach of combining art with practical climate action represents a significant step in making environmental advocacy more accessible and engaging to diverse communities. By creating spaces where residents can participate in creative activities while exploring climate justice issues, Street Works Earth aims to demonstrate how art and community engagement can play a crucial role in addressing global challenges.
Eight artists and collectives, selected from over 100 proposals, will present site-specific works alongside MJN arts practitioners. These installations range from explorations of food waste impacts to culturally competent emergency management strategies. The artists were connected with climate experts from organizations like Environmental Defense Fund and Queens Climate Project, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between fields that rarely interact.
Jonathan Camuzeaux, Senior Director at Environmental Defense Fund and Street Works Earth Advisor, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, 'There is so much that climate experts have to learn from artists and creators, and so many ways that we can enrich each other. Working with artists to help illuminate both the social issues and solutions helps get our message across to new audiences in a unique way.'
The event will also feature 23 climate and civic action tables, providing attendees with concrete ways to engage in environmental advocacy. Organizations such as ALIGN, Chhaya, El Puente, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice will be present, offering resources and information on various climate-related initiatives.
Street Works Earth's approach to reclaiming public space as a platform for creativity and community engagement could serve as a model for similar initiatives worldwide. By bringing art out of traditional museum and gallery settings and into the streets, the festival aims to make both art and climate action more accessible to a broader audience.
The event's focus on participatory art in public spaces also illustrates how such initiatives can support democracy and civic engagement. By creating opportunities for diverse communities to come together, share ideas, and take action, Street Works Earth demonstrates the potential of creative approaches to address complex societal challenges.
The inaugural Street Works Earth festival represents a significant step towards integrating art, community engagement, and climate action. Its success could pave the way for similar events in other cities, potentially transforming how communities approach environmental advocacy and public art. As climate change continues to be a pressing global issue, innovative approaches like Street Works Earth may play an increasingly important role in inspiring and mobilizing communities to take action.
