Going Green

Going green

Quay Arts is committed to becoming more sustainable and 'green'. 
Here are some of the ways we are making a small difference:

• Invested in reusable plastic cups for our live events to reduce single-use plastic waste
• Offering used coffee grounds to gardeners
• Promoting sustainable ways to clean brushes and reduce microplastics in wastewater
• Recycling and reusing materials for arts workshops
• Developing and programming sustainable workshops
• Curating exhibitions, events, and talks exploring environmental themes
• Undertaking Carbon Literacy Training
• Installation of a Swift nest box
• Hosting monthly free Repair Cafes
• Using the Green Impact Toolkit for the Isle of Wight

Quay Arts Environmental Policy - Read Here

Local Links: 
Isle of Wight Local Nature Recover Strategy (LNRS)
Isle of Wight UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve - Principles

Sustainable arts

Through our Courses and Workshops programme, we aim to support knowledge and skill sharing to adapt,  develop, and inspire more sustainable, forward-thinking arts practices.

Sustainable art is creative practice that is environmentally conscious, and focuses on having minimal impact on the environment, while also addressing important topics like climate change, waste, and social issues. It takes a flexible, evolving approach to rethinking how art connects with and responds to the world around us.

Events and talks

Located in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Quay Arts is dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues and showcasing the vital role the arts can play in inspiring change. We regularly host events and exhibitions that explore the relationship between art and ecology, such as Seagrass: A Solent Story—a talk and exhibition highlighting the essential role seagrass plays in our marine ecosystems—and Soundings by Emma Critchley, an immersive installation that uses film, sound, and dance to confront the looming threat of deep-sea mining and connect audiences to the often-overlooked depths of the ocean. We also screened My Garden of a Thousand Bees, screened in conjunction with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The film follows acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Martin Dohrn as he documents the diverse bee species thriving in his small urban garden in Bristol, England.

Discover more: Isle of Wight Biosphere
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.