Creative Sustainability Initiative

CSI: Greensboro Engaging Arts Students in the

Sustainability Conversation

Trey McDonaldSustainability Coordinator

Jessica TrotmanSustainability Education & Outreach

• UNCG part of the UNC system

• ~18,000 students

• ~3,000 employees

• ~200 acres / 5.5 million gsf

• Sustainability Office has existed for 2.5 years

Background

• At UNCG, 15% population of students in the “arts”

• Music

• Theater

• Dance

• Creative Writing / English

• Visual Arts

• Interior Architecture

• These students can be missed through traditional

sustainability programming and marketing

• Need greater engagement to build a culture of sustainability on campus – but how?

Background

Step 1. Acknowledge

the problem

Students have been difficult to

engage.

WHERE is the energy

on campus?

Make the most of our unique

populations.

Step 2: Brainstorm HOWIncentives for Students

Money and Recognition

How to they earn the incentive?

Complete a project

Benefits to the University

Student engagement, ideas for administration

Student award

Project for campus

GRANT

PROGRAM

Step 3: Money Matters

• Difficult to get funding due to financial

climate in state

• Partnership - secured funding for

grants through UNCG Sustainability

Committee ($1,500)

• Learn about financial aid and tax

implications for students

• Option: Order materials for students

Step 4: Create RFP

Find Support

• Recruited staff/faculty from art museum and music library with grant experience

Write RFP

• RFP should be 1-2 pages

• Clearly state expectations

• Do not overcommit

• Get input from supporters

Release

• Social Media

• Faculty

• Posters

• Hand bills in practice rooms and studios

RFP Elements• Purpose: create art that is

– Informed by the environment

– Inspires audience to value the earth

– Brings attention to campus sustainability issues

– Conveys interconnectedness

• Eligibility and Scope of Work

• Deliverables and Responsibilities

• Proposal Requirements

• Schedule

• Students had three

months to create

the proposal.

• Proposals were

reviewed and

voted on.

• Three winners were

notified and

announced at

Earth Day

reception.

Step 5: Manage

• Regularly check in with recipients

• Request a formal grant report due

halfway through the project phase

• Set deadline for ordering materials, or

returning receipts.

• Maintain records of their purchases

Step 6: Associated Events

• Provide opportunities for projects to be

presented on campus.

– UNCG hosted a symposium, where students and

faculty presented on arts and sustainability.

– Students will present their projects and

participate in moderated discussion for Campus

Sustainability Day

Winning Design Projects

1. Solar Charging HubCorry Mears

Senior Interior Architecture

2. Glenwood Sustainable HomeAustin Loman

Senior Interior Architecture

Winning Performing Arts Project

“…and we will build our own truths”

Steven Landis MM composition

Elisa FoshayMFA choreography

Lessons Learned

• Create a natural timeline of events – no project

work over summer

• Create guidelines to benefit your mission and the

student interest

• Support the projects with engaging ancillary events

to reach a larger audience

• Ask for help– Consult financial aid when deciding how to make awards

– Recruit faculty to evaluate applications at least three months in

advance

Contact Information

Trey McDonald

rkmcdona@uncg.edu

Jessica Trotman

jgtrotma@uncg.edu

http://uncgsustainability.wordpress.com/