A product of human activity, the climate crisis is on a route to inflict immeasurable damage on our ecosystems, putting our whole societal organization into question. To mitigate and prevent this harm is the mission of the present and next generations. The propositions bellow hone in on the extent to which museums – and the Japanisches Palais in particular – can help attain climatic goals and stave off ecological crises.

1. Pushing Towards a Circular Economy

From the viewpoint of ecology, we ask how to best conduct ourselves with our environment. We must learn to value and make do with the resources at hand, at the same time optimizing their renewal. The principle known as ‘cradle-to-cradle’ refers to the circular economy of raw materials and goods – a strategy that we aim to put into practice. In this respect, cultural institutions can have a role in setting the tone by laying down the path for a “green museum”. To achieve this goal, a cooperation is already in place between Konglomerat e.V., a Dresden-based association, the museum’s material supply chain and the Japanisches Palais. The collaboration aims at shifting towards a sustainable model already from the planning phase of an exhibition, while also tracking down the material parts of display fixtures that can then be recycled or passed on to be reused by other museums. With new fixtures, these are planned and put together with an eye towards repeated use in the future. This creates an effective, city-wide cycle where parts are kept, maintained, reused and passed on. Originally begun with the Japanisches Palais, this cooperation is set to expand across the entirety of the museum’s collections as of 2022 – a step that will anchor this commitment for circularity, as set forth by the Action for Future team, in the day-to-day operations of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

2. Insuring a Sustainable Basis for Greater Diversity

Alongside the ecological challenges, and inextricably tied to it, is the issue of diversity, of tolerance to a breadth of identities and individuals in society. We aim to close the gaps and fill in blind spots in our exhibitions program and ongoing presentations, to put on view the different facets of a wealth of identities in culture. Starting from “The Museum of Untold Stories,” on to “Die Erfindung der Zukunft,” “Library of Exile,” and most recently “Wordless – Falling Silent Loudly,” all exhibited at the Japanisches Palais, we seek to give a voice to those unheard, to broaden the scope of our gaze. We have engaged ourselves with women’s rights, the experience of violence, migration and inclusion, topics we were able to reflect upon through access to the cultural treasures of the SKD, imbedding these in their historical context. Through this exchange with groups and individuals we have sought to put our own standpoint into perspective and to actively expose mechanisms of exclusion.

3. A Broader Participation in Society and Culture

In our view, a sustainable conduct does not limit itself to the material aspect but equally applies to the cultural and social sphere as well. The possibility for all to participate in the society and culture must go hand in hand with the ecological turn in our society.

An important pillar for participation in society and culture is free admission to the museum, which facilitates access to culture for all, lifting existing barriers. A cooperation with Action for Future is decisive in the respect, as well as with different cultural providers in the city, allowing space for the multitude of voices in civil society – as, for example, with our “Roundtable,” “Roundel of Controversies,” the inner courtyard garden, or our “Performance Place”.

4. A Culture of Sustainability

In view of foreseeable changes, we must equip the next generation and sensitize it by means of education. In this, a research and experimentation into new modes of living is of great significance: It is here that cultural institutions may lead the way, pushing forward new and innovative forms in the domain of art, culture, architecture and design, as well as offering up spaces for free experimentation. Disposing of an environmental library, a sewing workshop, studios and presentation areas, the co-working space at the Japanisches Palais offers room for reflection and learning that can be used freely by associations and museum visitors. Projects envisioned in this setting flow into the museum’s general program, carrying with them important issues reverberating in civil society.

5. Promoting Art and Creativity

Art is a central pillar of a sustainable cultural practice. With its “mobile workshops” and “ateliers,” the Japanisches Palais is offering spaces for free production, both of artistic work and the creative endeavors of museum visitors. This first-hand experience at making an impact is an important source for innovation, and working closely with workshop residents allows for sustainable projects to be launched on their way, assisted by experts on site.

6. Rethinking Work

Our value chains are often built on human rights violations, which should be reflected upon and eventually overcome. A key to fair practices with one another is to address the unequal distribution of power versus resources, which will help us prevent forms of exploitation and injustice. A part of this would be to reverse the assignment of roles as they currently stand. A collection of sustainable bags from recycled materials, currently developed under the guidance of our workshop head, will be available for purchase in our shop. The proceeds will go towards the “campaign for clean apparel,” an association fighting for fair wages and working conditions for textile workers worldwide. This a way to mobilize locally for a global cause, to open a debate on how work, whether on a small or larger scale, can be thought of anew.

7. An Informed Practice around Digitalization

Inseparable from our educational commitment is the issue of digitalization. While potentially helping accelerate ecologically-favorable transformations, digitalization can also drive a depletion of energy and resources on a global scale. Digitalization clearly alters many aspects of our daily lives – how we move, communicate, consume, think. This is why in “Zukunftsforum,” a series of interdisciplinary talks devised in collaboration with Fridays for Future, an important place is dedicated to the topic of sustainable digitalization. Here, the Action for Future team discusses chances and dangers attached to the digital turn. The insights they raise will be taken up by a “media workshop,” a future framework developed by the Japanisches Palais, where we’ll be teaching and tackling a safer conduct in the digital space.