Call for Artistic Submissions / Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding

Aug 7, 2023 | Environmental Peacebuilding Association and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association® (EnPAx®) and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies at Leiden University are pleased to announce the call for art for the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding. The partners invite creative submissions in any form (e.g., visual art; handicraft; photography; poetry; music; mixed media; and more) to be part of the conference. Art might be physically exhibited at the venue and/or performed/presented as part of a session. The conference will be held at Leiden University in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 19-21, 2024.

For this call, we welcome all work that (1) fits the conference themes and (2) can exist ‘in conversation’ with other pieces. Most importantly, we are looking for creative work - and creators - to support multidisciplinary conversations and multisector collaborations. Submitting artists should hold the rights to share any proposed pieces, but we are very happy to consider existing work, new work, adapted work, and work in development.

The deadline for priority consideration of creative work submissions is October 2, 2023. Art submitted after the priority date will be considered pending space.

The Environmental Peacebuilding Arts Committee will review submissions according to the following criteria:

Relevance

-Does the piece address conference themes?

-More broadly, does the piece address both (1) environment/natural resources/nature and (2) peace/conflict/security?

Evokes Emotions, Thoughts, and Contemplation

-Is the piece compelling?

-Does the piece tell a story; capture attention; advance thought or critique; evoke feelings or question; etc.?

-Will the piece help audiences connect with environmental peacebuilding in new or creative ways?

WHAT TO PROPOSE

We invite submissions of creative work in any media from professional and amateur artists. Art might showcase issues within environmental peacebuilding (e.g., a photo story about Indigenous environmental defenders); reflect on these issues (e.g., a painting about the need for collaborative responses to climate change); or be part of peacebuilding practice (e.g., drawings completed by children as part of post-conflict therapeutic programming). While we are soliciting pieces that relate to one or more conference themes, we also welcome work on other themes on the environment, conflict, and peace. Artists may submit more than one piece, and may also choose to submit an abstract to present a more traditional conference contribution; however, please note that in order to ensure that there are slots for as many people as possible, there likely will be a limit regarding how many pieces will be selected from any single individual.

Art in any language, and featuring any language, is very welcome, but proposals should be submitted in English. In order to expand accessibility for diverse audiences, EnPAx may wish to translate various aspects of submitted art into other languages. If this is done, EnPAx will be responsible for any associated costs, and translated works would be presented only with the full knowledge and permission of the artist.

HOW TO PROPOSE

Proposals must be submitted via the submission form here. The submission form will require the following information:

• The name, email, country, and institutional affiliation of the creator(s)
• The title and a description of the proposed piece of work
• Selection of the submission’s topical theme(s)
• An indication of how the piece might best be presented at the conference

We highly encourage work from underrepresented communities and diverse backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding the conference, submission ideas, the submission process, or otherwise, please do not hesitate to contact us at enpaxart@gmail.com.

Anyone can submit a proposal.  It is not necessary to be a member of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association or hold affiliation with Leiden University; this call is open to everyone and we encourage submissions from diverse communities and creatives.

There is no fee associated with submitting a proposal. Artists proposing work to appear in the conference art exhibition are not required to attend the conference either in person or virtually, though they are highly encouraged to do so. If selected to present or perform live at the conference, successful submitters will need to register for the conference and pay the registration fee to save their slot on the agenda. All conference participants, including presenters, will have to pay for registration fees. (A separate call will be circulated to those hoping for support to attend the conference.)

In-person fees are $295 for members of the Environmental Peacebuilding Association and $375 for non-members. Presenters who participate virtually in hybrid sessions will also need to register and pay registration fees. 

In addition to hybrid possibilities at the in-person conference, there will be a separate day for entirely virtual sessions (tentatively scheduled for June 13, 2024); registration fees for the virtual day have not yet been set. 

For those interested in attending the in-person conference who would need support to do so, there is limited support for travel grants (more information will be made available on the conference website at a later date).

TIMELINE

The deadline for priority submissions is October 2, 2023 at 11:59 PM EDT. All submissions will be reviewed by the Art Committee. Those who submit by the priority deadline will be contacted by the Committee on the progress of their submission (s) by 31^st October 2023.

Conference registration opens in late October/early November.

We will continue to accept and review proposals until the conference program has been filled.