Penn Climate Animation and Research Studio is a mobile animation studio that engages six students in research and animation in countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In this immersive on-location opportunity, Penn student artists meet with experts and community leaders, read policy and history, develop site-specific visual vocabularies, and critically and creatively reflect on emerging adaptation strategies with the intent of producing works of art that inform and influence policymakers and communities.
The Studio began in the Netherlands in June 2023 where the team spent the first four weeks on location following an intense itinerary of cultural orientation, site visits, expert interviews, meetings with local artists and animators, and storyboarding. The project resulted in two animated episodes for the Poldergeist YouTube series: Why is the future of the Netherlands measured in sand? and Why was Sigmund Freud interested in the Afsluitdijk?
Now in its second phase (2025-27), the Studio has turned its focus to the Dutch Caribbean Islands, starting with Bonaire, an island where eight residents have joined Greenpeace in a lawsuit against the Dutch government for not offering the same level of climate protection enjoyed by residents of the European Netherlands, despite being significantly more vulnerable. The team has engaged with well over 40 experts, Island policymakers, and community leaders. They snorkeled along the endangered coral reef, planted indigenous trees on Klein Bonaire, toured syntropic farms, sketched goats and cacti, and met extensively with plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The Bonaire video will premiere in February 2026.
Support from: Penn Global, the School of Arts and Sciences Making a Difference in Global Communities Grant, the Center for Public Art and Space, the Weitzman School, the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentorship program, Wacom, and the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation.
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