EPA Partners with the National Endowment for the Arts for New Artist-in-Residence Program
The program focuses on building awareness of water-related environmental concerns.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Feb 08, 2024
In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled its first Artist-in-Residence Program. This new program aims to elevate public engagement and awareness around the nation’s water challenges through the arts.
According to a recent release, the program focuses on issues such as climate change impacts such as flooding and storm surge, aging infrastructure, and the pursuit of safe drinking water. It will initially roll out in six key locations nationwide, including the Mystic River Watershed Urban Waters Federal Partnership and Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership.
“Incorporating arts and cultural strategies into our work can reveal new ideas, unlock opportunities, and help us find new and enduring solutions to pressing water challenges," EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox, who announced the program, said in a statement. "Through this partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, local water leaders from the Puget Sound to the San Juan Estuary to the Delaware River watershed, will have new tools and resources to support water restoration and climate resilience."
The Artist-in-Residence Program is a response to President Biden's Executive Order on Arts and Humanities, which calls for a holistic approach to federal investment in arts and culture. By aligning with selected locations such as the National Estuary Program and the Urban Waters Federal Partnership—which are already working on water restoration and climate resilience—this EPA program can foster the connection between communities and their water environments.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.