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THIS IS PROJECT SURGE
a circular festival
model
for lutruwita / Tasmania
Vision
on re-imaging festival experiences
Festivals are fundamental events for arts and culture. They spark joy; engaging across multiple industries and host to talent and fun. Festivals do however, typically run at mass environmental cost. Their duration, often results in mass consumption. But what if we re-imagined this experience, with active participation and with thoughtful event design? There is opportunity to create positive environmental and social impact. Through the incredible work of organisations such as Greener Festivals, festivals around the globe are shifting their focus to consider the life cycles of all elements that compose a festival.
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Cue, Project Surge. We are a trio based in lutruwita/ Tasmania keen to bring together concepts of circularity to a festival setting, focusing on island-based parameters that exist for Tasmania.
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We hope this model can become a reference point, for making informed decisions about the preparation, promotion and delivery of festivals and events.
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6 foci of the model
The circular festival model is divided into 6 streams of focus, listed below.
Click on each stream to see its role in the model:
guiding principles
charters + policy
detail
how the model works
Phases of Implementation 1, 2 and 3
This multi-tiered model separates big picture, from granular detail. Guiding principles, can inform strategy, charters and policies inform logistics at an operational level, and the detail puts all the puzzle pieces together - three phases for implementation which respectively represent festival design, delivery and
post-festival wrap-up.
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The model aims to support decision-making at all levels of the organisation, and provides opportunity for flexibility depending on organisational economic, social and environmental situation and priorities.
In shaping the model in this way we hope it is easily adapted to various circumstances.
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P.S. did we mention
kelp is
here
to help?
You may notice this model gives a fair bit of attention to kelp, and
there is good reason! Kelp is a sustainable and important resource.
Not only is kelp an incredible material and source of food for us humans, but its very existence in our oceans sequesters carbon.
Kelp is an essential part of coastal ecosystems, providing essential habitat and food for our marine friends. Kelp forests, are also one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. Are you waiting for a but? Well, here it is...
Tasmania has lost 95% of giant kelp forests due to ocean warming (with the Eastern Australia Current extending into Tasmanian waters). We hope this model explores and promotes the versatility and function of seaweed as a replacement for a range of single or restricted-use items in the event realm and broader community context.