We launched the Divest to Invest Campaign in 2021. It's not too late to join!
It's time to invest in an equitable, thriving, future, y'all. We need to divest from systems that don’t serve us and invest in futures that do! The fossil fuel industry depends on continued extraction from and violence against the earth, and disproportionately creates collateral damage in Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities around the world. We are not “sacrifice zones” for the fossil fuel industry or for the theater. For far too long, United States theatres have given the fossil fuel industry a social license to operate - a pass on the harm they have caused people and the planet.
Not anymore.
In 2021 we launched a movement to end the grasp fossil fuels has over our communities and our theaters. Often arts institutions and artists accept funds that do not align with their values because “who else will give us the money?”
How can we fight for racial and climate justice and accept funds from industries that harm BIPOC and the planet? How can we pat ourselves on the back for being “progressive” or “antiracist” when we name our theaters after oil magnates and continue to accept sponsorships from fossil fuel companies?
We can’t.
Divesting is hard, and it is possible. Finding new sources of investment is hard, but it is possible. Oh, it is possible. Don’t believe us? Check out this article on Howlround and Go Fossil Free for more. We arts workers have more agency and power than we think!
Groundwater Arts joined the movement with Go Fossil Free and 350.org, and we launched the Divest to Invest Campaign to move arts workers and institutions away from fossil fuels and towards a regenerative future.
Thinking translocally, we knew that no one single commitment would work for everyone, so we asked arts workers to make ONE OR MORE of the following THREE commitments (or adapt them to suit what’s possible for you).
+ I pledge to introduce the following contract clause in all future contracts I negotiate:
Client/Employer [should define “Client” and “Employer” in the contract] hereby represents and warrants that: (i) it has not heretofore knowingly and willingly received funds or donation from fossil fuel industries, including, but not limited to, contributions in kind, cash, or by means of sponsorship; (ii) it will not knowingly and willingly accept funds or donations from fossil fuel industries for the duration of the term of Contractor’s [should define “Contractor”] contract; and (iii) will not pay Contractor’s fee from any funds or donations received from any fossil fuel industry. For the purposes of this agreement, “fossil fuel industries” are defined as producers of coal, petroleum, or natural gas, or any derivative of coal, petroleum, or natural gas that is used for fuel.
+ I pledge to DIVEST my personal funds from fossil fuel companies (i.e. retirement, mutual fund accounts).
+ I pledge to JOIN a local climate justice organization working toward divestment by offering my theatrical skills (ie. direct action, etc).
Again, thinking translocally, we knew that no one single commitment would work for everyone, so we asked theatres to make ONE OR MORE of the following THREE commitments (or adapt them to suit what’s possible in your community).
+ We pledge that we will ACCEPT NO NEW fossil fuel sponsorships.
+ We pledge that we will DIVEST FROM ALL fossil fuel sponsorships.
+ We pledge that we will DIVEST OUR ENDOWMENT from fossil fuel funds.
Sign the pledge today.
Not anymore.
In 2021 we launched a movement to end the grasp fossil fuels has over our communities and our theaters. Often arts institutions and artists accept funds that do not align with their values because “who else will give us the money?”
How can we fight for racial and climate justice and accept funds from industries that harm BIPOC and the planet? How can we pat ourselves on the back for being “progressive” or “antiracist” when we name our theaters after oil magnates and continue to accept sponsorships from fossil fuel companies?
We can’t.
Divesting is hard, and it is possible. Finding new sources of investment is hard, but it is possible. Oh, it is possible. Don’t believe us? Check out this article on Howlround and Go Fossil Free for more. We arts workers have more agency and power than we think!
Groundwater Arts joined the movement with Go Fossil Free and 350.org, and we launched the Divest to Invest Campaign to move arts workers and institutions away from fossil fuels and towards a regenerative future.
Thinking translocally, we knew that no one single commitment would work for everyone, so we asked arts workers to make ONE OR MORE of the following THREE commitments (or adapt them to suit what’s possible for you).
+ I pledge to introduce the following contract clause in all future contracts I negotiate:
Client/Employer [should define “Client” and “Employer” in the contract] hereby represents and warrants that: (i) it has not heretofore knowingly and willingly received funds or donation from fossil fuel industries, including, but not limited to, contributions in kind, cash, or by means of sponsorship; (ii) it will not knowingly and willingly accept funds or donations from fossil fuel industries for the duration of the term of Contractor’s [should define “Contractor”] contract; and (iii) will not pay Contractor’s fee from any funds or donations received from any fossil fuel industry. For the purposes of this agreement, “fossil fuel industries” are defined as producers of coal, petroleum, or natural gas, or any derivative of coal, petroleum, or natural gas that is used for fuel.
+ I pledge to DIVEST my personal funds from fossil fuel companies (i.e. retirement, mutual fund accounts).
+ I pledge to JOIN a local climate justice organization working toward divestment by offering my theatrical skills (ie. direct action, etc).
Again, thinking translocally, we knew that no one single commitment would work for everyone, so we asked theatres to make ONE OR MORE of the following THREE commitments (or adapt them to suit what’s possible in your community).
+ We pledge that we will ACCEPT NO NEW fossil fuel sponsorships.
+ We pledge that we will DIVEST FROM ALL fossil fuel sponsorships.
+ We pledge that we will DIVEST OUR ENDOWMENT from fossil fuel funds.
Sign the pledge today.
