10 Years of MAST
10 years ago there was an idea, to bring together Manchester’s cultural leaders to address the environmental performance of the city’s cultural organisations, in line with the ambitions of the city’s first climate change strategy.
Since then, the cultural community has been working together through the Manchester Arts Sustainability Team (MAST) to understand our impacts, share, demonstrate and mobilise action across the sector and with our audiences and communities.
The UK Climate Change Act 2008 was the driver for our city’s first climate change strategy, a strategy which would in turn bring about our network.
Arts Council England’s environmental programme, first introduced in 2012, became another driver, as well as an invaluable source of support and inspiration.
In 2015, global climate negotiations secured the Paris Agreement on limiting temperature rise. As the scale and immediacy of the climate and ecological crisis became increasingly evident, grassroots movements – from Climate Strike to Extinction Rebellion – began demanding action commensurate with the scale of the crisis. Since early 2020, COVID and Black Lives Matters have highlighted the inequalities, born of capitalism and colonialism, which also underpin the climate and ecological crisis as well as the need for a green and just transition.
And of course, at the same time, we have evolved as a network, becoming a leading example of cultural collaboration on climate and environment.
10 years since we started, MAST has become GMAST with over 50 organisations across Greater Manchester, from community-based arts centres and music charities to iconic cultural venues and national broadcasters.
We have built a solid foundation of understanding and are now focusing on building the skills and capacity to take action to the next level.
As a member of the Manchester Climate Change Partnership we play an active part in city climate change strategy and are one of 10 pioneer sectors developing an action plan in line with city targets to 2025 and zero carbon 2038 ambition. And, last but not least, we have inspired and supported others to take a similar approach, in the UK and beyond - from Sustainable Arts in Leeds (SAIL) - to five European cities in the C-Change network.
“From the inspiration and support it gives those in the network on finding new and better ways of doing things for people and planet, to its collective response to the climate crisis and active involvement in the city’s climate change partnership, we are immensely proud of what MAST has achieved so far.”
Dave Moutrey, Chief Executive, HOME Manchester and Director of Culture, Manchester City Council
Many voices have contributed to making our network what it is today.
There has been an amazing spirit of generosity and collaboration, a willingness to understand different perspectives and look beyond the boundaries of organisation and art form. Along the way, and in some cases from the very start, we have had invaluable support, notably from Julie’s Bicycle, the Carbon Literacy Project, the Green Growth Hub and Manchester Climate Change Agency.
“Over 10 years, a community committed to working together on climate and environmental action has emerged across Greater Manchester’s cultural sector. Initially we were a collection of often lone voices advocating for environmental change within organisations. Today we see organisations making climate action central to values, purpose and decisions. A collective approach, sharing challenges, our practice and learning, remain the most important things we can do, inspiring each other to go further and dig deeper.”
Simon Curtis, Convenor, GMAST
“MAST’s determined and long-term commitment to Manchester, and its faith in culture to drive local environmental action, has blossomed into a huge range of solutions and ideas, bringing together city and citizens, changing policy and inspiring other cities to follow in Manchester’s footsteps. It has been our privilege to be a part of this journey.”
Alison Tickell, Director Julie’s Bicycle
How it started – how it’s going?
2011
Manchester Arts
Sustainability Team
- MAST
+/- 20 organisations involved nearly all in Manchester city
Hands-on group facilitation and support from Julie’s Bicycle
Most organisations early on in their environmental journey
Just starting to build understanding and knowledge on environmental and climate change issues
Senior leaders of organisations more hands-off
Potential for the cultural community to contribute to city climate change strategy recognised but otherwise mainly independent of the city cultural leaders and city council
A unique approach
2021
G-MAST - Greater Manchester Arts Sustainability Team
>50 organisations working across the 10 authorities which make up the Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Run for and by those in the group, bringing in external support and expertise as and when needed
A few early on in their environmental journey, the majority making good progress, a few leading the way
Basic carbon literacy and understanding overall and the beginnings of leadership skills and capacity-building
Senior leaders getting more engaged
Member of Manchester Climate Change Partnership and 1/10 groups developing plans aligned with city zero carbon strategy (Re)connected with city cultural leaders and city council
Similar approaches in other UK cities such as Leeds and Liverpool and in the five European cities involved in C-Change
“I would say that Brighter Sound’s membership in MAST has been integral to our organisation’s environmental awareness and on-going development.”
Freddie Aitken, Operations and Finance Manager, Brighter Sound
“Really helpful for knowledge sharing and support - and keeps us focused on our development towards a more sustainable way of working. Really valuable to be a part of the MAST community.”
Louise Hargreaves, Senior Producer, Abandon Normal Devices
“I love the community aspect of MAST – similar organisations with similar issues, coming together to problem solve, sharing their knowledge base and resources with one another.”
Lee Rayner, Senior Production Manager Coronation Street, ITV
“By working collectively, we have gained knowledge and a better understanding of what is happening locally and globally around the impact of climate change and how we can contribute to make change.”
Karen Shannon, CEO, Manchester Histories
MAST Timeline 2011-2021
In 2009 Manchester City Council published its ‘Call to Action’ in response to the UK Climate Change Act 2008 and started a large-scale public consultation feeding into the city’s first climate change strategy Manchester: A Certain Future (MACF).
Following an initial meeting in 2011, MAST has been on a journey with the city’s cultural community as a response to this climate change strategy.
“We've found involvement in MAST to be a really important support to our organisation's environmental journey. The opportunity to share knowledge and experience has been so valuable and also just the sense that we're not alone it grappling with what, can at times, seem an overwhelming issue. I think that MAST has also helped to give our sustainability work additional profile within our own organisation - both to senior leadership and board but also to the wider company too.”
Nathan Jackson, Walk the Plank
“One of the most valuable things about being part of MAST is that members don’t have to reinvent the wheel when looking to improve their environmental performance. MAST provides the means to share learning and problem solve collectively. This has saved us significant time over the years, allowing us to make changes more quickly and with more confidence.”
Dean Whiteside, Head of Operations and Buildings, Manchester Museum and the Whitworth
MAST 10 years was written by Julie's Bicycle, in collaboration with GMAST's Convenor, Simon Curtis supported by the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Thanks to all the GMAST organisations who contributed.