Sustainable Practices in Music and Art Production

As the climate crisis becomes increasingly urgent, Dutch artists and event organizers are pioneering innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact of creative production. From music festivals powered by renewable energy to art installations made from reclaimed materials, the Netherlands is becoming a hub for sustainable cultural practices. In this article, we explore how the Dutch creative community is embracing eco-conscious methods while maintaining artistic excellence.

The Environmental Impact of Creative Industries

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand the scope of the problem. The creative sector—encompassing music, visual arts, and live events—has a significant environmental footprint:

• Music production involves resource-intensive instruments, energy-consuming studios, and vinyl production processes that use fossil-fuel derivatives.
• Live events generate substantial waste, consume large amounts of energy, and often involve extensive travel for artists and audiences.
• Visual art production frequently employs materials with harmful environmental impacts, from toxic paints to energy-intensive digital equipment.

Yet within these challenges lie opportunities for innovation. Dutch creators are finding that environmental constraints can spark creativity rather than limit it, leading to groundbreaking work that's both artistically compelling and ecologically responsible.

Sustainable Music Production and Performance

Green Recording Studios

Amsterdam's Echo Studios has become a model for sustainable recording facilities. Housed in a renovated warehouse with state-of-the-art insulation, the studio runs entirely on renewable energy from its rooftop solar array and nearby wind farm partnership. Beyond energy considerations, Echo has implemented a comprehensive approach to sustainability:

• Water recycling systems that capture rainwater for toilet flushing and garden irrigation
• Furniture and acoustic treatments made from reclaimed materials
• Digital-first workflow that minimizes physical media waste
• Plant-based food offerings for recording sessions

Studio founder Martijn van der Veen explains their philosophy: "We wanted to prove that environmental responsibility doesn't require sacrificing sound quality or creative comfort. In fact, many artists tell us the sustainable elements enhance the creative atmosphere."

Innovative Instrument Makers

Dutch luthier Lisa Verhoeven has gained international recognition for her instruments made from reclaimed urban trees. Working with the city of Rotterdam's parks department, she salvages trees that would otherwise become waste when they reach the end of their urban lifecycle.

"Each instrument carries the history of its neighborhood," Verhoeven explains. "I've made guitars from trees that stood in Rotterdam's Museumpark for over a century. Musicians connect with that story—they're playing something with deep roots in the local environment."

Similarly, electronic instrument designer Thomas Meijer has developed synthesizers and controllers using biodegradable bioplastics and reclaimed electronic components. His company, Circular Sound, offers repair services and take-back programs to ensure their products never end up in landfills.

Sustainable Touring Models

Rotterdam-based indie band The Watershed has pioneered a low-carbon touring model that other Dutch artists are beginning to adopt. Their approach includes:

• Traveling by train rather than van or plane whenever possible
• Partnering with local musicians to borrow bulky equipment instead of transporting their own
• Planning geographically efficient tour routes to minimize travel distances
• Offsetting necessary carbon emissions through verified local reforestation projects
• Requiring venues to meet basic sustainability standards

"It requires more planning and flexibility," says lead vocalist Emma Jansen, "but we've found it actually enhances the tour experience. We're more connected to the places we visit, and we've built a supportive network of like-minded musicians across Europe."

"Sustainability in music isn't just about reducing harm—it's about reimagining the entire creative process from composition to performance. When we embrace environmental constraints, we discover new artistic possibilities."

— Emma Jansen, The Watershed

Eco-Conscious Visual Arts

Circular Materials and Processes

In Rotterdam's M4H district, a former industrial area now transformed into a creative hub, the artist collective Nieuwe Makers (New Makers) has established a material library and workshop focused on circular economy principles. Members share resources, reclaim materials, and experiment with biodegradable alternatives to traditional art supplies.

Visual artist Joost van den Berg, a founding member, explains: "We've documented over 200 sustainable material alternatives that artists can use—from mushroom-based packaging materials that can be sculpted, to earth pigments that replace toxic commercial paints, to bioplastics made from local agricultural waste."

The collective regularly hosts workshops teaching traditional techniques that have gained new relevance in a sustainability-focused era, such as natural dyeing, earth pigment extraction, and paper making from plant fibers.

Digital Art with Reduced Footprints

The environmental impact of digital art—particularly NFTs and crypto art—has become a contentious issue in the art world. Amsterdam-based digital artist Sanne de Vries has developed a framework for more sustainable digital creation:

• Using energy-efficient blockchain platforms for NFTs
• Rendering work on renewable-powered servers
• Creating "low-fi" digital aesthetics that require less processing power
• Offering physical prints on recycled or tree-free papers as alternatives to purely digital offerings

"Digital doesn't automatically mean dematerialized," de Vries notes. "The environmental costs are just less visible. As digital artists, we need to become more literate about the infrastructure our work relies on and make conscious choices throughout our process."

Environmental Themes in Contemporary Dutch Art

Beyond production methods, many Dutch artists are engaging directly with environmental themes in their work. The Zandmotor Project brings together scientists and artists to create work addressing coastal erosion and rising sea levels—a particularly relevant issue in the Netherlands, where much of the country lies below sea level.

Visual artist Marjan van Aubel creates solar-powered art installations that function both as aesthetic objects and energy-generating infrastructure. Her "Power Plant" series of solar glass sculptures demonstrates how renewable energy technology can be integrated into beautiful, functional design.

By addressing environmental concerns in both their artistic themes and production methods, these artists create work that prompts dialogue while modeling solutions.

Sustainable Events and Exhibitions

Green Festivals Leading the Way

The Netherlands has become a testing ground for sustainable event production, with festivals like DGTL Amsterdam setting new standards for eco-conscious gatherings. DGTL's comprehensive approach includes:

• Operating as a fully circular event with zero waste sent to landfill
• Powering stages with renewable energy
• Implementing a deposit system for reusable cups and dishes
• Serving only plant-based food options
• Using waterless toilets that transform waste into compost
• Encouraging public transportation and bicycle access

Mitchell van Dooijeweerd, DGTL's sustainability manager, emphasizes that these measures enhance rather than detract from the festival experience: "Our attendees tell us they appreciate being part of an event that aligns with their values. The sustainable elements have become part of the festival's identity and appeal."

Smaller events are following suit. Utrecht's Ekko venue has implemented a comprehensive sustainability plan including energy-efficient stage lighting, waste reduction strategies, and water conservation measures. Their "Green Stage" program provides additional support and promotion for artists who commit to eco-friendly performance practices.

Rethinking Exhibition Design

Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum has pioneered sustainable approaches to exhibition design that preserve curatorial excellence while reducing environmental impact:

• Modular display systems that can be reconfigured rather than discarded
• LED lighting systems that reduce energy consumption by up to 80%
• Paint-free displays using natural materials
• Digital exhibition materials to reduce paper usage
• Borrowing artworks from local collections to minimize shipping

Exhibition designer Anna Visser notes that these constraints have led to more innovative approaches: "Working within environmental parameters has pushed us to think more creatively about how we present art. Often the sustainable solution ends up being more interesting from a design perspective as well."

"The sustainability revolution in the arts isn't about sacrifice—it's about reimagining how we create and share cultural experiences in ways that honor both artistic vision and planetary boundaries."

— Anna Visser, Exhibition Designer

Funding and Policy Support

The growth of sustainable arts practices in the Netherlands has been supported by thoughtful policy frameworks and innovative funding mechanisms:

Government Initiatives

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has integrated sustainability criteria into its funding programs, creating financial incentives for green practices. Additionally, the government's "Green Deal" program has established specific agreements with the cultural sector to reduce environmental impact.

At the municipal level, cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam offer subsidies for cultural organizations that implement sustainable measures, from building retrofits to waste reduction programs.

Private Sector Innovation

The Triodos Bank's Arts and Culture Fund specifically supports sustainable cultural initiatives, providing both loans and business development guidance. Similarly, the Creative Industries Fund NL has established a dedicated program for projects that explore the intersection of design, art, and environmental solutions.

These funding structures recognize that the transition to sustainable practices often requires initial investment, even when it leads to long-term savings. By providing financial support during this transition period, these programs enable organizations to make changes that might otherwise be financially prohibitive.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite significant progress, challenges remain in making the Dutch creative sector fully sustainable:

Balancing Accessibility and Sustainability

Some sustainable approaches can increase costs or create barriers to participation. Cultural organizations are grappling with how to implement green practices while maintaining accessibility for diverse audiences and artists.

Festival organizer Lotte Verstegen notes, "We need to ensure that our commitment to environmental sustainability doesn't come at the expense of social sustainability. Both are essential."

International Collaboration

Many artistic careers and cultural events depend on international exchange, which often involves carbon-intensive travel. The sector is exploring how to balance global collaboration with climate responsibility through approaches like:

• Extended residencies that justify long-distance travel
• Digital collaboration platforms that reduce the need for physical presence
• "Slow touring" models that optimize travel efficiency
• Train-based European tours that avoid short-haul flights

Measuring and Communicating Impact

The cultural sector is developing better tools for measuring environmental impact and communicating sustainability efforts to audiences. The Green Stages initiative is creating standardized metrics for the performing arts, while the Sustainable Exhibition Alliance is doing similar work for museums and galleries.

These frameworks help organizations track progress, set meaningful goals, and share their sustainability journey with stakeholders in transparent, credible ways.

How You Can Support Sustainable Arts

Whether you're an artist, organizer, or audience member, there are many ways to contribute to a more sustainable creative sector:

For Artists:

• Audit your creative process for environmental impact
• Experiment with sustainable materials and methods
• Join communities like Sklin Club that support eco-conscious creation
• Communicate your sustainability journey to your audience
• Consider how your work can inspire environmental awareness

For Event Organizers:

• Implement basic waste reduction and energy conservation measures
• Partner with sustainable venues and suppliers
• Make sustainable transportation options easy for attendees
• Share resources with other organizations
• Set clear, measurable sustainability goals

For Audiences:

• Support artists and organizations that prioritize sustainability
• Choose public transportation, biking, or walking to events
• Bring your own water bottle and other reusables
• Ask your favorite venues about their environmental policies
• Spread the word about sustainable arts initiatives

Conclusion: A Creative Sustainable Future

The Dutch arts community is demonstrating that sustainability and creativity can reinforce rather than oppose each other. By embracing environmental consciousness as a creative parameter rather than a limitation, artists and organizations are discovering new aesthetic possibilities while reducing their ecological footprint.

At Sklin Club, we're committed to supporting this evolution through our events, workshops, and community initiatives. We believe that the creative sector has both a responsibility and an opportunity to help shape a more sustainable future—not just by reducing its own impact, but by imagining and modeling new ways of creating that honor both artistic expression and planetary boundaries.

The examples highlighted in this article show that this work is already well underway in the Netherlands. As these approaches mature and spread, they promise a future where cultural vitality and environmental responsibility go hand in hand—a vision that inspires us and guides our work.