Creative Responses to Climate Collapse: Worldmaking with Art & Literature

“We are the ones we have been waiting for.” – June Jordan

Every era has its call to action. But what transformations does the climate crisis call us to? When we look for guidance, what climate stories capture our moment, and offer a sense of hope for the future? And how can we create works of art that speak to our experience of this time?

Over eight weeks, we will examine works of environmental literature and art that think through the tangled knot of troubles at the heart of climate collapse. We will investigate how colonialism, the patriarchy, racism, and capitalism contribute to our planetary crisis—and how the stories we encounter can help liberate our imprisoned hopes for the future. 

Through journaling exercises, study of art and literary craft forms, discussion, and a supportive space for the development of your own project, you will identify what story or expression captures your experience of living through this era, and then bring it to life.

By the end of this course, you will have a toolkit of literary, artistic, and thematic models, be connected to a cohort of bold creators, and produce an artwork in the medium of your choice (text, visual, material, etc), carefully conceived and crafted over eight weeks of communal study. We will end the course with a project showcase and celebration.