In 2023, the World Health Organization called for global climate action to create resilient and sustainable health systems. Between 2030 and 2050, they estimate that climate change will cause around ¼ of a million extra deaths per year simply resulting from the effects on malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. The effects on health more generally will be much wider. In the UK, the NHS has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. Urgent action is needed across healthcare and medicine to adapt nursing practice to deal with the impact of the climate emergency, as well as to develop sustainable nursing that seeks to reduce the effects on the planet of key contributors to climate change.
In November 2024, the RCN Library and Museum will launch a public exhibition and event series exploring nursing and climate change. Drawing on our historic collections and contemporary nursing stories, the exhibition will interrogate the past, present and future of nursing and climate change.
We are seeking an artist to deliver an artwork responding to health and the climate emergency. We are open to any medium and are particularly interested in art that takes a creative approach to recycling and re-use of healthcare items. The RCN Library and Museum seeks to work with nursing staff wherever possible, and are keen on approaches that include collaborative practice or co-creation.
For more information about the RCN Library and Museum exhibition space, please see appendix attached.
How to Apply
Please submit an expression of interest and your CV by midnight on Tuesday 9 July 2024 to audienceengagement@rcn.org.uk.
Your expression of interest should explain in 500 - 1,000 words:
• the concept for the new work including any visuals
• how it relates to health and nursing
• a brief outline of how the work will be created (timescale, medium etc.)
The final work must be completed and ready to install by 14 October 2024. The install will take place w/c 4 November 2024.
More information and photos of the exhibition space is below. If you require any additional information or would like to discuss the project further, please contact Sarah Chaney sarah.chaney@rcn.org.uk
