Making Ireland‘s music festivals, outdoor events and other cultural initiatives more sustainable is the core focus of the REALISE Summit, taking place at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Dublin on 10 April.
The summit, which is organised by Native Events and Julie’s Bicycle Europe, and is being supported by the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices (RWMPOS), IMMA, and Dublin City Council, will bring together leaders from a diverse array of cultural sectors, along with funding organisations and policymakers, to explore ways in which the events industry can embed more sustainable practices into their operations.
‘Common challenges’
“We are seeing hundreds of projects happening all over the island from local community level to initiatives in film and TV, festivals and events and in theatre and the arts,” Megan Best, director and CEO of Native Events, commented. “In the creative industries, there are pockets of brilliant climate action happening – in energy efficiency, biodiversity enhancement, materials re-use – it’s popping up everywhere.
“No one is bringing them all together, to discuss common challenges and to share knowledge. All of this action needs to be coordinated, linked and networked so it can be accelerated. That’s why we’re hosting this event. We want to bring them all together under one roof to realise a creative force.”
Best known for its sustainability work with major events like Glastonbury, Electric Picnic, Latitude, and Creamfields, Native Events is hosting a series of interactive sessions at the REALISE Summit, which are designed to spark action, dialogue, and collaboration.
The event will feature workshops on topics such as energy, materials, nature, and communication, alongside sessions that map current and future climate collaborations across the cultural sector.
Attendees are set to include music promoters, festival organisers, artists and performers, writers and musicians, illustrators and designers – as well as everybody involved in the planning and running of events, such as programmers, curators, researchers, facilitators, event organisers, stage technicians and script editors, theatre, nightclub and venue managers, educators, advertisers and set-builders.
‘Inspire new ways of thinking’
Lisa Fitzsimons, strategy and sustainability lead, at IMMA, which is hosting the event, said. “At IMMA, we believe that art has the power to inspire new ways of thinking, and that creativity is essential in shaping a more sustainable world. Hosting the REALISE Summit at IMMA is a natural fit—this gathering brings together the bold ideas, collaborative energy, and regenerative practices that our cultural sector urgently needs.
“We’re delighted to partner on this important initiative, providing a space where artists, practitioners, and leaders can connect, learn, and take meaningful action together.”
More information can be found here, while tickets can be purchased here.
