A Positive Vision of a Low Carbon Future

The CIAO! Ark is an innovative and ambitious arts and science project that will culminate in a large scale public art installation in central Oxford in June 2010. Between January and June, children in 10 Oxfordshire primary schools are working with artists and scientists to respond to the question -

'If you were sailing away on an Ark to create a low carbon future, what would you take with you and what would you leave behind?'



The project will engage audiences in debating the potential that science can deliver for 'imagining' a low carbon future and in expressing this vision artistically through theatre, dance, music, creative writing, crafts, storytelling, film and photography. It is creating a model for the way in which artists, scientists, educators, architects and children can forge sustainable creative relationships.

CIAO! is working on The Ark Project in close partnership with Oxford Inspires as part of its Season of Arts and Science in 2010, coordinated jointly with Science Oxford. CIAO! is also working in collaboration with Oxfordshire's schools science and arts coordinators who have assisted in identifying schools to participate in the project. These schools represent a county-wide geographic spread, engaging children from diverse backgrounds.

The project is attracting widespread support as its impact and potential legacy are clearly timely and unique. The CIAO! Children's Climate Change Conference at the Sheldonian Theatre has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark by the Cultural Olympiad.