The inaugural Water, Arts, and Culture Accelerator took place in 2020 – 2021, supporting utilities and artists to work together to address a climate-related water challenge by using cultural strategies and creative practices that engage a directly impacted and historically underserved community. Four US Water Alliance member utilities—Central Arkansas Water, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, the Philadelphia Water Department, and Tucson Water—established partnerships with local artists to accelerate collaborative action and pilot projects in their cities.
Water, Arts, and Culture Accelerator Teams
Arts and culture hold tremendous power for advancing equitable and sustainable water solutions. The US Water Alliance’s Water, Arts, and Culture Accelerator establishes effective municipal water and arts partnerships to spark creativity and innovation in the water sector. Participants engage with artistic thinking and cultural strategies through peer learning exchanges, coaching calls, interactive exercises, and more.
How We Work
The Accelerator builds capacity for cross-sector collaboration, enhances problem-solving skills, and strengthens approaches for building authentic relationships between utilities and communities.
The Power of Arts and Culture: One Water Partnerships for Change
Read the comprehensive report detailing the approaches of the four utility and artist partnerships, the transformations that occurred, the outcomes achieved, and considerations for future partnerships.
Access the full report
