On Tuesday, music played under the warm sun and the shade of the trees in Founder’s Park. The USC Arts & Climate Collective, or ACC, hosted its fourth annual festival to celebrate student artists, environmental groups, and their connections.
Organizations from across USC and Los Angeles were stationed at dozens of tables sharing their goals, handing out local produce and freshly baked cupcakes, and promoting their upcoming events.
The ACC promotes sustainability through visual and performing arts, film, and storytelling, and collaborates with various USC arts and environmental groups.
Arian Tomar is a junior film production major who works with the ACC. As he checked festival goers into the event, he reflected on how it was an opportunity to showcase artists who change hearts and minds.
“We bring them together to say, look, there’s something else you can do with your art. You can use it as a way to communicate about the environment, to raise awareness about climate change, and to move people, potentially, to do something about it,” Tomar said.
Marguerite, a band led by a USC alumnus, performed several of their original songs with messages centering around their connection to the earth and the grief of dealing with political and environmental issues today.
Their lead singer, USC alumna Katya Urban, said climate change affects everyone.
“I feel like sometimes with music and with art, the intention is just remember that this is happening. Don’t forget. Don’t look away. Don’t distract yourself,” Urban said.
This Earth Month, pay attention to the dozens of events USC has planned to promote sustainability, celebrate the environment, and talk about solutions.