Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead is launching a new Climate Club to support local communities in the region to deliver environmental and social change.
Launching on Sunday 2 June, Baltic’s Climate Club will meet monthly, and members will take part in a range of events and activities exploring the natural world, the environment, and how to inspire climate action.
The group will learn new skills in horticulture, foraging, natural science and more to support them in leading community responses to climate change in the North East.
Hayley Duff, Head of Visitor Experience at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, said: “The Climate Club is for anyone with an interest in nature, climate change, and the world around us. It’s an opportunity to gather with like-minded people and explore what action we can take in our local communities to help nature and wildlife thrive, and reverse the impact of climate change.
“It will be the members themselves that decide what direction the club will take and what areas it will focus on. A monthly activity programme delivered in partnership with Newcastle University, environmental charities, and local community groups will give people the skills and knowledge they need to help lead our region’s response to the global climate emergency.”
Monthly events and activities will include foraging, gardening and horticulture, nature talks and tours, and literary sessions. Academics from Newcastle University will lead lectures and presentations on caring for the climate, and parenting support charity North East Young Dads & Lads (NEYDL) will educate the group of the importance of pollinators; highlighting Baltic’s own rooftop beehives.
The group will also be encouraged to document their work through Baltic’s Nature & Nurture website (nature.baltic.art), which allows members of the public to upload and share their creative responses to the natural world through photos, videos, sounds and text. The website also uses images and videos from Baltic’s archive of over 20 years of exhibitions to help map society’s relationship with nature through art and creativity.
Baltic’s Climate Club is part of Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees, an ambitious three-year partnership between Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, North East Young Dads & Lads (NEYDL) and Newcastle University. The project funded by National Lottery’s Community Fund will help young dads to build their skills and confidence and support the local community’s connection with nature and taking positive climate action.
On Sunday 2 June from 11am-4pm, the launch of Baltic’s Climate Club will be part of a number of drop-in activities where visitors can find out more about the Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees initiatives that will develop over the next three years.
In Baltic’s Front Room (the mezzanine level overlooking the River Tyne), visitors will be able to build a beehive and take part in honey tasting with North East Young Dads & Lads; a local climate experts will be on hand to discuss the impact of climate change in Gateshead and the wider North East; and a Kittiwake tour will uncover the history of the colony of birds that have used the NewcastleGateshead Quayside as a breeding site since the 1960s.
Outside of Baltic’s main building, visitors will be able to plant bee-friendly seeds with a gardener. There will also be bikes on Baltic Square where North East Young Dads & Lads will offer cycling advice and bike maintenance.
Hayley continued: “For anyone interested in playing more of an active role in the region’s climate response, the Climate Club is a great way to get involved. On Sunday 2 June we’ll be giving people a flavour of what it’s all about and how they can take part.
“Baltic is committed to climate action, and we want to empower people to make change where they live. Through the Climate Club, communities across our region can help protect our thriving natural world, raise awareness of climate change, and educate and inspire others to take action too.”
The launch event for Baltic’s new Climate Club and Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees takes place between 11am-4pm on Sunday 2 June 2024. To find out more, visit www.baltic.art. To find out more about Baltic’s Nature & Nurture and upload a contribution, visit nature.baltic.art
Birds, Bees, Bikes & Trees is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund. Nature and Nurture is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.