Upcoming Webinar | Thursday, June 5 · 2:00 – 3:30 PM (ET) | Presented by Ian Garrett
What role does opera play in a climate-changed world?
How can opera companies engage with the climate crisis in ways that are meaningful, imaginative, and effective? This webinar invites you to reimagine sustainability—not as a limitation, but as a driving force for change.
DESCRIPTION
For many Canadian companies, the desire to act on sustainability is strong—but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. This session invites participants to view climate action not as a constraint, but as a generative opportunity for artistic innovation, operational resilience, and deeper community connection.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, we’ll explore how sustainability can function as a creative practice. From rethinking how productions are built and toured to understanding the environmental impact of materials, energy, and travel, we’ll look at how Canadian opera companies can integrate ecological thinking into daily operations and long-term planning. Environmental analysis and emissions tracking will be introduced not as ends in themselves, but as powerful tools for clarity, accountability, and informed decision-making.
Designed for those who care deeply about sustainability but may be unsure how to start, this session frames opera’s scale and collaborative nature as a unique strength. Companies will also learn how to access ongoing support, resources, and peer networks through national initiatives like the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA) and SCALE/LeSAUT. Together, we can shape a future for opera that is both environmentally responsible and artistically bold.
SESSION OUTLINE
1. Introduction
- Welcome
- The desire to act and the challenge of knowing where to begin.
- Sustainability as a creative and strategic opportunity, not a limitation.
2. Sustainability in Practice
- Introduce core concepts: ecological thinking, systems impact, and creative approaches to production, touring, and operations.
- Doing differently, not just doing less.
- How sustainability aligns with innovation and relevance.
3. Tools and Support
- Environmental analysis (e.g., emissions tracking) for decision-making.
- Introduce resources for guidance, tools, and peer learning.
- Encourage connecting with these networks to support action at any scale.
4. Interactive Exercise
- Understanding the systems we work in and uniqueness of our position
- Identity three major areas of environmental concern/impact in their work.
- Invite ideas for positive change.
- Share
5. Discussion and Closing
- Open the floor: What feels possible? What support would help?
- Reaffirm: Starting small is valid. Collaboration is key.
- Offer follow-up resources and an invitation to continue the conversation.
ABOUT IAN GARRETT
Ian Garrett is a designer, producer, educator, and researcher in the field of sustainability in arts and culture. He is the director of the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts, has been part of the Mission Circle at SCALE/LeSAUT, and is Professor of Ecological Design for Performance at York University. He has a performance design and research practice focused on ecology and accessible mixed reality technologies in performance, as well as producer for Toasterlab, a mixed reality performance collective and media production company. Having worked across the performance arts, he has worked with LA Opera and Houston Grand Opera, and has been part of multiple projects which have won San Diego Opera’s Opera Hack.