How can artists contribute to the decisions that shape our communities, environment and future?
An online seminar series from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) brings together artists, curators, scientists and policymakers to explore how creative practices can contribute to policymaking.
The Art Science Policy Seminar Series 2026 runs from September to December, featuring conversations about real-world collaborations across ocean governance, environmental protection, food systems, public institutions and more.
Bringing Art into Policymaking
Policymaking involves more than research and evidence. It also requires understanding different perspectives, engaging communities, and considering how decisions affect people and the environment.
Artists and curators can contribute to this process by bringing new ways of thinking, making complex issues easier to understand and creating opportunities for discussion.
Through practical case studies, the seminar series explores how artists work alongside scientists, policymakers and public institutions, from the early stages of research and consultation to developing and implementing policies.
Speakers will share their experiences, including the methods they used, challenges they encountered, and lessons learned from working across different fields.
Upcoming Seminars
The series covers a range of topics, with each session focusing on a different example of collaboration between art, science and policy.
14 October | From Advocacy to Governance: Artists Shaping Water and Ocean Policy
How can artists move beyond raising awareness about environmental issues and become involved in shaping policy?
This session explores the role of artistic practice in water and ocean governance, looking at how artists can contribute to conversations and decisions about the future of our waters.
Speakers include Harpo ‘t Hart, Pradeep Singh, Emma Critchley and Nicolas Gharbi.
21 October | Creative Strategists Inside Government
What happens when artists work directly within public institutions?
Featuring Kimberley Glann, Andrea Welsing and Olga Koumoundouros, this session looks at how artists working within government can introduce new perspectives, influence institutional practices and contribute to policy change.
11 November | Community Science and Environmental Governance in Greenland
This conversation explores how art and community science can contribute to discussions around natural resources, Indigenous rights and environmental governance in South Greenland.
Speakers include Lise Autogena, with Josephine Nymand listed as a provisional participant.
18 November | Nuclear Futures
Artist Ele Carpenter examines how cultural narratives and artistic research can contribute to discussions about radioactive waste, a complex issue involving science, public participation and long-term decision-making.
25 November | Rights to Seeds, Rights of Seeds
How can artistic practice influence the way we think about seeds, biodiversity and food systems?
Featuring Alon Schwabe, Daniel Fernández Pascual, Nadia al Hage and Davide Palmieri, this session explores the relationship between artistic research, agrobiodiversity and policy change.
2 December | Artists, Policy and the Process of Making Change
The final session brings together perspectives from across the series to consider how artistic approaches can become a more established part of policymaking.
The discussion will explore what makes these collaborations effective and how public institutions can support them beyond individual projects.
Connecting Art, Science and Ocean Governance
For TIDAL ArtS, the seminar series connects closely with our work bringing together artists, researchers and communities to explore our relationship with the ocean and waters.
Through artistic research, collaboration and co-creation, TIDAL ArtS supports different ways of understanding environmental challenges and engaging people in conversations about our shared future.
The session on 14 October, From Advocacy to Governance: Artists Shaping Water and Ocean Policy, is particularly relevant to these conversations, exploring how artistic practice can contribute directly to the spaces where decisions about water and ocean policy are made.
How to Join
The Art Science Policy Seminar Series 2026 takes place online, with sessions scheduled on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 3:30 pm CEST/CET, except for 21 October, which begins at 3:00 pm CEST.
The talks are introduced by Caterina Benincasa, curator and head of the JRC SciArt project, and moderated by Ariane Koek, an international specialist in collaborations across art, science and policy.
Participants can register for one or more sessions.
More information and registration HERE.