Arts-based methods for just co-creation of sustainable futures

In light of the climate crisis, we face an urgent need to transform to just and sustainable futures. In sustainability decision-making, there has been a turn toward co-creation for jointly imagining such futures. However, while we know that co-creation is essential for supporting just transformations, traditional participatory planning methods are not adequately primed to support considerations of justice. Considering the serious limitations of traditional participatory methods, it is critical to explore alternative methods for just co-creation. Within the sustainability space the role of creativity and imagination has gained attention for catalyzing transformative change processes. Arts-based research methods are increasingly applied in co-creation processes in recognition of their ability to dismantle silos, encourage transdisciplinary thinking, and foster imagination for radical innovation. However, until now, there has been little structured assessment of the ability of arts-based methods to support procedural justice in participatory planning and co-creation processes. We explore this question by surveying prior literature on different arts-based methods for participatory engagement processes and mapping these methods according to indicators of procedural justice. We find that arts-based approaches are well suited for engaging with diverse and plural ways of knowing and fostering trust and respect among participants but often fail to adequately engage with power dynamics, ensure reciprocity, and encourage reflexivity and flexibility. However, while many arts-based approaches share these shortcomings, theatre-based approaches appear to be an exception and perform better than all other genres in relation to equitable power sharing, reciprocity and mutual learning, and reflexivity and flexibility. As such, our results provide insight on the varying potential of different forms of creativity and imagination for centering justice in participatory engagement processes working toward co-creation of sustainable futures.