Our climate is collapsing. Everything we love, including our music scene, is at risk. While we have the scientific know-how to change course, we lack the political will.
To change the politics, we need a new narrative. A new verse. A new song.
Musicians and their music have played central roles in campaigns for First Nations’ justice, preserving natural heritage, the civil rights movement, feminism and ending apartheid. Around the environment movement today, organisers recognise that the involvement of cultural leaders like musicians is key to making deeper connections with more people.
The Sound Country Artist Climate Leadership Retreat is the perfect opportunity for passionate musicians to deepen their knowledge and networks to shift the story of our time, and create a safer, greener future.
Key Details
What – Sound Country Artist Climate Leadership Retreat. This program is designed for musicians and songwriters to develop your skills, self-reflection, support and networks to take the next steps in using your voice for a better future.
When – 4 day retreat, 16 – 19 September 2024
Where – Spring Bay Mill, trayapana/Triabunna, lutruwita/Tasmania
Who – This retreat is designed for artists by artists and Green Music Australia.
Please come along to our upcoming webinar on May 7, 2024 at 12:30pm - 1:30pm (AEST) to learn more, or you can visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
What's included
This retreat will support artists to take greater leadership for our climate and environment.
Rich content
Building on our successful retreat last year, Green Music Australia has designed a range of interactive sessions to challenge and inspire participants. This includes: System Change through First Nations Leadership; Sound Country strategies to reduce your touring impact; Mapping and building networks and influence; as well as creative sessions.
Inspiring speakers
Joined by a cohort of leading artists you will also be sharing knowledge with speakers, facilitators, staff, and participants at the intersection of art, environment and structural change, each with diverse experiences, skills and styles.
Extensive resources
Using the Sound Country: A Green Artist Guide as a central toolkit for change, the program will include a range of resources to help diverse learning styles, from movies to books to creative practices.
Retreat experience
A four days, three nights retreat involving 16 of Australia’s most respected artists. Located at the Spring Bay Mill – a stunning sustainable events venue on the east coast of Lutruwita/Tasmania. You will have time to connect with place, to nourish and replenish, as well as individual rooms and bathrooms and all meals included.
Growing community
To make change happen you will need support to get there. You’ll be joining a network of highly influential climate justice advocates from across the music spectrum who will connect with hundreds of thousands of music lovers. The community of this program will ensure you are supported to create real change.
Watch the Sound Country Retreat Highlights Video 2023
Testimonials
We came together on beautiful palawa land to learn and share about how we as musical artists can lead when it comes to the environment. I learnt so much through listening. Was such a beautiful week. Forever grateful to connect with these incredible people" - Eliza Hull - musician, writer, speaker and disability advocate
I feel like I have a lot of tools, drive and inspiration to use my music as activism and a platform to build community. [The retreat] has been really revitalising” - Kee’ahn - Yalanji, Jirrbal, Badu islander musician and songwriter
They say we don’t inherit the earth, we borrow it from our children. [...] Green Music is one of the pathways back from certain ecocide. Through our words, melodies and beats we can collectively inspire the urgent turnaround we need to reverse climate change, species loss and habitat destruction. By providing the soundtrack for the rewilding of the earth, we’ll help save ourselves, our children, and all those who follow." - Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil
Sound Country is an artist-led movement to galvanise the music industry for strong climate action. It is supported by Australia’s first and most extensive online resource for artists: The Green Artist Guide. Co-written by First Nations music producer, Rhoda Roberts and sustainability expert, Matt Wicking, this manifesto offers musicians crucial advice and insights into climate advocacy.
www.greenmusic.org.au/soundcountry
Green Music Australia is a registered charity, harnessing the cultural power of our influential music scene to create a greener, safer future. Join with music and musicians leading the way to a greener world. The Sound Country Artist Climate Leadership Retreat has been made possible thanks to the support of the NSW Government through Create NSW and philanthropic partners, the Water Dragon Endowment, a part of the Community Impact Foundation.
