S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION

What is S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION?

S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION the title of S+T+ARTS4Water III: Art and Tech for Sustainable Water Management. It is a two-year project aimed at promoting sustainable water management through the interaction of scientific innovation, digital technology, and the arts. The project is part of the S+T+ARTS platform—the leading European initiative bringing together science, technology, and the arts.

Water is regarded as a precious yet undervalued resource, at the heart of a global crisis that threatens both human and planetary health. This project aligns with European policies on sustainable water resource management, such as the European Green Deal.

S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION seeks to create tangible political, economic, and social impacts by fostering a shift in mindset and behavior towards water through the intersection of art, technology, and sustainability.

Duration: January 2025 – December 31, 2026

Objectives:

· STARTS Artistic Residencies: Twenty-five artistic residencies will engage artists from across Europe in creative experimentation and collaboration with water stakeholders to address local water management challenges—economic, ecological, and social.

· STARTS Sylloge: open-access digital platform documenting the artistic, scientific, and technological insights developed throughout the project. A body of artworks, installations, and narratives exploring new solutions and stories related to water, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability—combining art, science, and technology.

· STARTS Water Community: A transnational network of actors from the fields of art, technology, and water management to foster new policies, business models, and social practices related to sustainable water use.

· Local and International Events and Activities: A diverse program of local events and educational workshops to engage communities, along with international events that offer a platform for artists and stakeholders to connect with policymakers and other key decision-makers in Europe.

Impact

· Tangible artistic solutions that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water resource management.

· The production of artworks with visibility across Europe, encouraging reflection on the synergies between art and technology in water management.

· Creation of a sustainable network connecting artists, tech companies, academic institutions, and local communities to develop innovative and creative solutions.

Partners

The consortium, coordinated by portuguese agency INOVA+, includes 12 partners and is structured around four major European water basins (Atlantic-Arctic, Baltic-North Sea, Mediterranean, and Danube-Black Sea). Each basin has unique environmental, social, and economic characteristics. Activities will be co-designed with local artists and stakeholders to ensure relevant and culturally appropriate solutions.

S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION is co-funded by the European Union under the STARTS – Science, Technology and Arts initiative of DG CNECT (Agreement Number LC-03568055). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or DG CNECT. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.