Culture Goes Sustainable Research Project | ZHAW Zentrum für Kulturmanagement ZKM

Empowering the arts and culture to accelerate the sustainability transition

The Culture Goes Sustainable research-for-action project was co-created by Professor Martin Müller from the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Department of Geography and Sustainability, and Professor Leticia Labaronne from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Center for Arts Management.

The project was awarded a four-year funding as a Swiss BRIDGE Discovery Grant (SNSF & Innosuisse) due to its potential for societal transformation (2024-2028).

Research leads the way towards innovation

The project team works together with arts and cultural organisations, policymakers, funders, and associations to foster transformative action for sustainability in the arts and culture.

The Culture for the Planet Alliance is a strategic, practical spin-off of the Culture Goes Sustainable project and is driven by the understanding that arts and culture hold a unique position in society, with the capacity to influence behaviour and shape public discourse. With their broad reach, high levels of public trust, and inspirational power, cultural institutions are well-positioned to lead by example in the sustainability transition and to act as catalysts for wider societal change.

The mission is based on four pillars:

1. CONNECT – Join a global community
Be part of the Culture for the Planet Alliance, a global community of practice uniting arts and cultural organisations, policymakers, funders, and associations.

2. MANAGE – Monitor your progress
Get access and co-develop a framework of Key Sustainability Indicators (KSI) tailored to the needs of arts and cultural institutions. Use this tool to effectively measure, monitor, and manage your organisation’s progress towards sustainability.

3. CERTIFY – Gain global credibility
Co-create an international standard for arts and cultural organisations, providing global public recognition of sustainability achievements and strengthening credibility and partnerships.

4. QUALIFY – Benefit from tailored training
Benefit from a tailored Curriculum to equip your institution with the required knowledge and skills to integrate sustainability into strategic and operationalpractices.