In the early 2000s, “sustainability” became a buzzword, embraced widely but with interpretations that often diluted its essence. However, its rise to popularity has led to a myriad of interpretations, some of which barely scratch the surface of its profound implications. Within the arts sector, the narrow focus has often been on securing long-term financial support. Yet, the vision of the FACE project transcends this limited perspective, aiming to explore the depths of sustainability in its richest forms for arts and culture education.

At its core, sustainability in the arts revolves around the content it chooses to engage with. Artworks and activities that address sustainability ideally weave together narratives of social justice, cultural diversity, and ecological balance. This approach goes beyond addressing these issues in isolation, aiming instead to uncover the intricate connections between cultural, social, economic, political, and ecological dimensions. Such art does not merely spotlight individual concerns but illuminates the complex web of interrelations that define our world, making it a potent vehicle for exploring sustainability in its fullest sense.

Sustainability in the arts also prompts a deeper ethical inquiry into what justice—or justices—means in today’s global landscape. It challenges us to embrace an ‘open culture’ that recognizes cultural diversity, supports participatory governance, and harmonizes with the natural world rather than imposing human will upon it. This perspective encourages artists and cultural institutions to critically engage with modernity’s myths—such as the notions of unending progress, affluence, and the supremacy of technology—and to question the societal roles and structures within which they operate.

Sustainability in the arts also calls for a critical examination of the art world itself, including its institutions and underlying power dynamics. Echoing the sentiments of the Institutional Critique movement, it recognizes that art does not exist in a vacuum but is deeply embedded within societal structures that can perpetuate elitism and social discrimination. This perspective prompts artists and art organizations to critically engage with the art market and its roles, challenging it to evolve beyond a luxury commodity or a haven for moral absolution.