The festival, which began this morning, is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the university’s growing leadership in sustainability education. With over 100 people in attendance, the event marked an exciting milestone in the university’s commitment to sustainability and the arts. Students, staff, local partners, and community members came together to experience a wide-ranging programme of multidisciplinary projects and performances. The festival showcased work from undergraduate and postgraduate students across various disciplines, including Music, Languages, English, Graphic Art, Visual Art, Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Internationalisation.

Festival Highlights

Live music performances themed around climate, nature, and resilience
Visual and graphic art exhibitions exploring environmental and social change
Culinary demonstrations focusing on food sustainability, sourcing, and waste reduction
Research presentations from students addressing global and local sustainability challenges
Multi-media installations that provoke critical thought and encourage public engagement

The festival is a culmination of SETU’s efforts to embed sustainability not only in the curriculum but in the culture and identity of the university itself. By showcasing a wide range of creative projects, the festival aims to inspire students, staff, and the community to adopt sustainable practices and think critically about the impact of human activities on the environment. One of the highlights of the morning was a special performance from students of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford, who entertained attendees with traditional Irish music. The launch follows a major accolade for the university, which was recently awarded the inaugural SATLE Impact Award in the Education for Sustainable Development category.

Ireland’s Sustainability Context

Ireland has committed to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, but challenges remain. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that Ireland generated an estimated 1.2 million tonnes of food waste in 2022, while climate-related targets remain a national priority. Educational initiatives like SETU’s festival are seen as key to meeting those goals, particularly by encouraging students and the wider community to engage creatively and critically with sustainability topics. By highlighting the importance of sustainability in the arts, the festival aims to inspire a new generation of thinkers and leaders who can contribute to Ireland’s sustainable development.

Impact and Engagement

The festival will run throughout April, offering a range of public events and showcases. The event is a testament to SETU’s commitment to engaging with the community and promoting sustainability awareness. By bringing together students, staff, local partners, and community members, the festival provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. One of the unique aspects of the festival is its focus on multi-media installations that provoke critical thought and encourage public engagement. These installations will challenge attendees to think critically about the impact of human activities on the environment and inspire them to take action.

Key Partnerships

The festival has been made possible through the support of several key partners, including:

Irish Water
The Waterford City Council
The Waterford Chamber of Commerce

These partnerships demonstrate the strong commitment to sustainability and the arts among local stakeholders. By working together, these partners are helping to create a sustainable future for Waterford and the wider region.

Getting Involved

If you’re interested in getting involved with the festival or learning more about SETU’s sustainability initiatives, visit the university’s website or follow them on social media.

“I am thrilled to launch the Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2025, which celebrates the creative and innovative work of our students and staff. This festival is a testament to our university’s commitment to sustainability and the arts, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community.”
— President of South East Technological University

The university’s president praised the festival, saying, “I am thrilled to launch the Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2025, which celebrates the creative and innovative work of our students and staff. This festival is a testament to our university’s commitment to sustainability and the arts, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community.” The launch marks a significant milestone in SETU’s journey towards a more sustainable future. By celebrating creativity and collaboration, the festival sets the stage for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come. Key Takeaways

* The Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2025 is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the university’s growing leadership in sustainability education. * The festival features a wide range of multidisciplinary projects and performances that place sustainability at the heart of artistic and academic expression. * The initiative aims to embed sustainability not only in the curriculum but in the culture and identity of the university itself. * The festival will run throughout April, offering a range of public events and showcases that highlight the importance of sustainability in the arts. Highlights of the Festival

* Live music performances themed around climate, nature, and resilience
* Visual and graphic art exhibitions exploring environmental and social change
* Culinary demonstrations focusing on food sustainability, sourcing, and waste reduction
* Research presentations from students addressing global and local sustainability challenges
* Multi-media installations that provoke critical thought and encourage public engagement

This article was written with the support of WLR News and On The Fringe with Gemma Delaney.

For more information on the Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2025, please visit SETU’s website or follow them on social media.

The festival is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration in driving positive change. By celebrating the work of students and staff, the festival sets the stage for a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.

South East Technological University Launches Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2025

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