Introduction
Decision-making for material procurement requires critical thinking, a bit of research (see Resource Index - Material Databases) and depends greatly on the length, budget, scale and scope of the project.
- Reflect on the information you have about the materials, equipment, and related items you intend to use for the duration of a project.
- Identify the main 2-3 materials or equipment for the project.
- Check Material Sharing & Reuse Platforms in your region for materials and equipment before purchasing new.
- If you cannot find used or rentable materials and equipment, research and select 2-3 suppliers.
- Contact suppliers by calling or sending an email with the template below to request relevant information to make the most informed choices.
- Make a decision on which suppliers/distributors to engage for the main materials in your project, aiming for low overall carbon emissions, few as possible environmental burdens, favourable end of life management of the materials, and social impacts of the project (see GCC Artist Toolkit - Materials for guidance on selecting materials)
- If you are doing a large-scale exhibition, commission for public art, or a longer-term research project, we strongly encourage you to allocate time in your planning to discover more detailed and careful considerations for your suppliers/distributors choices.
How to use this template
Copy and paste this template in your word processor of choice. That way, you’ll be able to edit the template to fit your needs.
Template
Dear XYZ,
I am [insert name], an artist and a member of GCC. This means I am committed to reducing the environmental impacts of the art sector and reaching a 50% reduction in emissions and near-zero waste across the industry by 2030.
To better understand the socio-environmental impacts of the materials I plan to work with, please could you provide me with the following:
- Comprehensive list of components and materials comprising your product including packaging.