Climate Action Arts Grants 2026 Recipients Announced

Congratulations to the 5 successful applicants of the inaugural Climate Action Arts Grants Program 2026 founded by Ingrained Foundation  and Vicki Brookes with Arts Northern Rivers as a delivery partner.

The following projects will be delivered in the Northern Rivers between June 2026 and February 2027, all catalysing climate action in the region.

•               Nell Schofield | The Norma Gunghoe Show

•               Simon Jankelson | The Human Sound Project

•               Esk Studio | Carbon, Creativity and Collapse

•               Heather Matthew | Dear World

•               Liv Enquist | Love Letters to the Land

 “I am excited by the potential for the chosen arts projects to stimulate action on climate change in the Northern Rivers and beyond” said Vicki Brooke.

This was a very competitive funding round with strong applicants from all 7 LGA’s in the region reflecting the Northern Rivers’ vibrant creative sector and strong community commitment to environmental leadership. The successful grant recipients were chosen by an experienced panel from Indigenous, arts and environment backgrounds.

Successful Projects

‍

Nell Schofield |The Norma Gunghoe Show

The Norma GunghoeShow’ is a satirical video performance project featuring a fictional queergrandmother who interviews politicians and people on the street about climateaction for her community radio program.

‍

Simon Jankelson | The Human Sound Project

Imagine Northern Rivers – Singing our Future into Being, a participatory music project bringing together artists, choirs, and community members to collaboratively compose and perform a song about a regenerative future for the region. The project transforms climate concerns into shared creativity, connection collective hope and action.

Esk Studio | Carbon, Creativity and Collapse

A three-hour workshop series to be delivered in regional galleries across Grafton, Lismore, and Murwillumbah. The program combines carbon science, facilitated discussion and visual arts processes to help participants understand emissions, ecological disruption and the emotional realities of climate uncertainty. By pairing scientific literacy with creative making, the project seeks to reduce paralysis and inspire practical, imaginative responses to environmental change.

‍

Heather Matthew | Dear World

A two-part community art activation held at Tweed Regional Museums Big Streert Party, using handmade paper and participatory messaging to express climate hope and responsibility. Participants will create small “blue marble” worlds through paper pulp pouring, symbolising both the fragility and resilience of the planet. In the second stage, community members write climate pledges on postcards that are intended to be sent to COP31, turning reflection into a tangible public commitment.

Liv Enquist | Love Letters to the Land

A series of community textile workshops in Byron, Lismore and Ballina. Participants create handmade works while identifying personal climate actions and sharing stories of resilience. The project combines craft, conversation and mutual support to build local climate commitment.

‍