Why we created the Eco-Art Space

The Eco-Art Space is an initiative of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute (BMWHI) - an independent not-for-profit organisation based in Katoomba, NSW.

Our vision is the effective and equitable conservation of protected areas globally, and our mission is to inspire and lead collaborative stewardship of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area through research, education and community engagement.

In this site you will find an extraordinary collection of artworks, produced in our current projects as well in as previous arts programs.

The Blue Mountains has one of Australia's highest concentrations of artists and local arts organisations, many with a focus explicitly on 'eco-arts'. We wanted to create a framework for eco-artists to collaborate with scientists in the co-production of new ecological knowledge and to share it creatively.

In the big picture, the concept of 'Planetary Health' is relevant across the arts. The evident connections between human-induced habitat destruction, wildlife diseases, human health and whole-ecosystem sustainability make 'knowing what to do' in the face of uncertainty both complex and confronting.

In response, we believe that the integration of the creative arts with other knowledge making – including First Nations knowledge and western science – is a vital strategy for 'knowing what to do'. Our hope is that our arts programs, and this Eco-Arts Space will be a meaningful contribution.

We hope you'll be challenged, moved and inspired by the work.

The History of our Arts Program

From 2004, BMWHI hosted one of Australia's only full-time environmental arts officers, Cheryle Yin-Lo (pictured), who collaborated with scientists and artists on a successful decade-long program. 

Over 15 years, we have collaborated with many local organisations, including Blue Mountains Creative Artists Network, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Blue Mountains City Council, Scenic World, and Blue Mountains National Parks. We have also worked internationally with partners including UNDP and IUCN, across several countries. 

BMWHI has also produced the highly acclaimed 'Fire Stories' series of documentary films made in collaboration with government agencies and Blue Mountains communities – using storytelling as a base for enabling bushfire preparation and recovery. 

In 2020, BMWHI engaged Paul Brown (pictured), who is both a scientist and a creative producer, to co-ordinate a new eco-arts program. The work will complement existing community and scientific programs concerned with protecting natural and cultural heritage, assessing climate change impacts, fire recovery and indigenous burning practices, and natural resource management.