Art, Luxury, and Sustainability: Markets in Transition Conference.
Environmental sustainability has become one of the defining challenges facing both the art world and the luxury sector. As global awareness of climate change, resource scarcity, and ethical production grows, the traditional structures of art and luxury organisations are being re-examined and reshaped. Businesses, institutions, artists, and luxury brands are navigating how to balance environmental responsibilities with market demands, and evolving consumer expectations.

Building on the growing momentum across the creative and luxury industries, this one-day conference invites critical engagement with the challenges, contradictions, and opportunities that sustainability presents to these sectors. It seeks to highlight real-world action, interrogate barriers to meaningful change, and explore how existing models must evolve—or be replaced—to meet the demands of a carbon-constrained and ethically complex future.

We invite proposals that explore environmental sustainability as a multifaceted concept aligned with social and governance principles. Whether addressing historical shifts or future-facing innovations, we welcome critical reflections on both practical and theoretical approaches—including those rooted in de-growth, regenerative economies, and alternative business models. Submissions are encouraged from researchers, practitioners, artists, and industry professionals working across art and luxury sectors. The conference aims to foster inclusive, globally-informed dialogues that capture how the art and luxury sectors are evolving in response to climate change—and how they might be critically reimagined through both theory and practice.

Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Climate action strategies and decarbonisation pathways within arts and luxury organisations;
- Measuring and reducing the environmental footprint of exhibitions, art logistics, visitors travel, sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and consumption of luxury goods and international art and luxury goods transportation.
- Sustainable production, sourcing, and supply chain reform in fashion, design, and visual art sectors;
- De-growth, circular economies, and alternative business models for cultural and luxury enterprises;
- Eco-conscious approaches to conservation, framing, display, and materials management;
- Institutional responses to climate activism and protest—rethinking partnerships, programming, and funding ethics;
- Digital platforms, NFTs, and their environmental implications: rethinking innovation;
- Navigating policy, regulation, and reporting requirements in cultural and creative industries;
- Community-driven sustainability programmes and cross-sector collaborations;
- Carbon literacy and sustainability education in art world and luxury sector.

Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words for a 25-minute paper, along with a brief biography to Marina Maximova m.maximovasia.edu by 30 June 2025. Successful papers will be notified by 31 July.