Following the success of Frieze London, Frieze Masters, and Frieze LA, Frieze New York will be making waves beyond the art world thanks to its continued collaboration with Pinwheel. Visitors to the world-famous art fair get to vote for one of three planet-saving initiatives, each of which will receive a share of Frieze’s financial support. Here’s more on those fantastic projects:
1. SolarAid
Sunshine is in abundance in Africa but when the sun goes down the working day ends for millions of people. For millions of others the only option is to ignite kerosene lamps and paraffin candles, which emit toxic fumes into their lungs and into the earth’s atmosphere. SolarAid is working to deliver clean, safe, and affordable solar lights to rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa, reaching the places no one else goes to. The impact of one solar light to a family’s life:
* Every member of the household uses it
* 5 people reached with clean, safe light
* 1 more child studying after dark
* $126 saved each year as families no longer have to buy candles, kerosene or batteries
* 4 people feeling safe at home with the added security of bright light
2. Art to Acres
This project supports the conservation of 53,375 acres (21,600 hectares) of old-growth forest. The biodiverse landscape is a migration corridor and home to the Mountain tapir, Spectacled Bear, Bush Dog, Mountain Paca and Stumped Tailed Porcupine. In collaboration with Art to Acres, the funds raised will support local communities in conserving the lands on which they have historically lived. Art to Acres is an artist-founded, non-profit environmental initiative that partners with the cultural community for large-scale land conservation support.
3. Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC)
It can be easy to underestimate the importance of green space in our cities but New York City is home to over 20,000 acres of natural areas — with 7,300 acres of forest within NYC Parks. Each year, the city's trees capture 1.97 billion gallons of stormwater runoff and store 1.2 million tons of carbon per year. They remove 1,300 tons of pollutants from the atmosphere, New York City’s urban forests also provide meaningful connections to nature for millions of people. NAC exists to restore and conserve the green and blue spaces of New York City in order to enhance the lives of all New Yorkers. The NAC champion urban natural areas in New York City and across America through innovative research, partnerships, and advocacy.
