In 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of dedicated arts professionals in London formed Gallery Climate Coalition. The coalition’s primary targets were to facilitate a reduction of the visual art sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 50% by 2030. The first of GCC’s affiliated volunteer groups was formed soon after in Berlin. Following London and Berlin, groups were established in Italy, Taiwan, Los Angeles, Spain (in late 2022), and New York. 

These seven groups became known as the International Volunteer Chapter (IVC) programme, and each advocated for an environmentally responsible arts sector on their local level, either nationally or by being focused on specific cities. Each was composed of professionals from the arts sector volunteering their time to work collectively to develop localised content and resources in line with GCC’s guidelines. Each hosted events and engaged with their immediate networks on environmental issues within the arts sector. Their teams were self-organised and self-motivated whilst remaining closely aligned with GCC’s core targets and commitments. 

Four years later, and despite the intensive work carried out by the IVCs, the increasing funding needs of this ever-widening network, and the challenging funding landscape facing GCC and arts/non-profit organisations more generally, have led to the difficult decision to bring the IVCs programme to a close as of September 2024. 

The IVC programmes have provided invaluable insights over the past years and fostered a formidable international network of dedicated volunteers. Whilst GCC Spain ceases operations as a GCC International Volunteer Chapter (IVC), the committee members remain affiliated to GCC as members, and will continue to contribute to climate action in a more informal capacity.

GCC Spain’s Chronology

Laura Carro and Lucía Mendoza (Galería Lucía Mendoza), Carolina Grau (Independent Curator), Carmen Huerta (TAC7), María Gracia de Pedro (Badr El Jundi Foundation), Mariana Cánepa Luna and Max Andrews (Latitudes) and Nicky Ure (UreCulture) met online for the first time in December 2022. This group ended up founding the International Volunteer Chapter, GCC Spain. Further along, the Committee expanded to include Angela Costantino and Simone Sentall (Fundación TBA21), Miriam Torres and Paula Ráez (Estudio Jurídico Gabeiras & Asociados) and volunteers such as Miriam Callejo.

GCC Spain’s first physical meeting was at ARCOmadrid in February 2023, when it convened an open session at the art fair to inform professionals about GCC’s targets and commitments, advise on practical issues about enrolment in its membership programme, and use helpful tools and resources such as the Carbon Calculator. 

One of GCC Spain's first achievements was translating GCC’s 11-part Best Practice Actions into Spanish (Acciones Efectivas) and opening its Instagram account.

In June 2023, GCC Spain held its first online Introductory Event (pdf of the press release in Spanish here), presenting GCC’s overall aim and officially launching GCC Spain. The launch was featured in Revista Bonart.

June 2023: Online Introductory Event (press release here) 

In January 2024 GCC Spain had its first online Assembly to inform members and non-members about the past and future plans of the group.

In February 2024, in collaboration with GCC London and ARCOmadrid, a campaign for #ClimateConsciousTravel was launched through multiple displays at ARCOMadrid, encouraging visitors to take the #TrainToARCOMadrid instead of flying. Additionally, the Gallery Climate Coalition was featured in Exibart magazine, and Carolina Grau, a founding member of GCC Spain, was interviewed about her curatorial work.

Despite these changes, Latitudes remains steadfast in its commitment to GCC’s core activity and commitments. Latitudes remains committed to working with its international community of 1500+ across 50+ countries in reaching a shared goal of 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the visual arts sector by 2030 (compared to a 2019 baseline). This adherence is essential to maintaining our Individual Active Membership.

You can read a statement about the closure of the IVC programme from GCC Managing Director Heath Lowndes here. For all other communications and enquiries regarding GCC, please contact info@galleryclimatecoalition.org

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