Street Works Earth Festival Combines Art and Climate Action in Queens

On September 22, 2024, the open-to-the-public Street Works Earth festival will debut on 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, bringing together artists and climate experts to spark action on environmental justice. Organized by Make Justice Normal (MJN), the event features 17 interactive art installations and 23 climate and civic action tables along one of America's longest open streets.

The festival's location in Jackson Heights, a diverse community with over 150 languages spoken, underscores the global impact of climate change on marginalized populations. By combining art with practical climate action, Street Works Earth aims to create accessible spaces for residents to engage with environmental issues and take meaningful steps towards solutions.

Eight artists and collectives, selected from over 100 proposals, will present site-specific works alongside MJN arts practitioners. Installations range from explorations of food waste and emergency management to interactive pieces on heat mapping and community climate response. The artists were connected with climate experts from organizations like Environmental Defense Fund and Queens Climate Project to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue.

The event also features 23 climate and civic action tables, providing opportunities for direct engagement with local and national environmental organizations. This emphasis on participatory art and civic action in public spaces demonstrates how creative approaches can support democracy and reach diverse audiences.

Street Works Earth's innovative model of combining art, climate expertise, and community engagement could serve as a template for similar initiatives worldwide. By reclaiming public space for creativity and collaboration, the festival offers alternatives to traditional forms of art presentation and activism.

The event is supported by various partners, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Frontline Resources Institute, and the NYC Racial Equity Endowment Fund, as well as public funds from the Queens Arts Fund. This collaborative approach highlights the growing recognition of art's role in addressing complex social and environmental challenges.

As cities worldwide grapple with the impacts of climate change, events like Street Works Earth demonstrate the potential for community-driven, creative approaches to environmental education and action. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and making climate issues accessible through art, the festival could inspire new forms of civic engagement and environmental stewardship.