NIDA is committed to advancing ongoing conversations around the creative arts and climate change. As such, we network with a broad range of arts and sustainability organisations, through activities that include conference presentations, industry forums, and site visits. See the Green Tips and Resource section to engage with some industry networks and resources.
Our aim is to extend our activity beyond NIDA to inform and cultivate green practice in the broader industry both in Australia and internationally, and to share and celebrate green achievements, wherever they occur, across our networks.
NIDA Green Student Award
The NIDA Green Student Award recognises the impressive commitment and leadership demonstrated by NIDA students in responding to the challenges of climate change. NIDA students have the potential to take their sustainability skills into the industry and transform practice. Here are just a few of NIDA’s recent student-led initiatives;
- Creating a bespoke spreadsheet, which captures data across all production departments with tailored algorithms to detail waste, recycling and storage options, with progress tracked against Theatre Green Book targets;
- researching and testing non-toxic dyes and additives to ensure pool water in a student production could be recycled and was non-toxic to plants and animals;
- utilising pre-existing donated materials to create multiple ‘meat pies’ for a production, reducing the need for consumable pies;
- ensuring waste polystyrene was collected and contained when used for sculptural works, and sent to be recycled responsibly with local partner Randwick Council;
- working with staff to revive a traditional method of ‘skinning’ set flats with hessian and textured plaster in order to preserve the base flats for future use;
- researching bio-textiles by utilising the gelatinous properties of agar-agar to create a new material that can be cut, sewn and worn;
- creating an ongoing relationship with another educational institution to take NIDA PLA waste and reuse with a focus on recycling PLA from 3D printers; and
- working with staff to reviveengaging with Bump Out Sydney to ensure bespoke furniture items went on to new homes after the production.
The NIDA Green Student Award was created in 2024.
