Art Gene was formed in 2002 by Maddi Nicholson and Stuart Bastik. It is an artist-led charity whose aim is revisioning the social, natural and built environment we inhabit with a focus on Barrow and Walney Island.

The organisation has been concerned with climate change and sustainability for a number of years and two projects, Allotment Soup and Low Carbon Barrow, focus on these issues in particular. Allotment Soup is linked with Zero Carbon Cumbria and began in 2015 when the charity purchased a brownfield site on the Isle of Walney and, alongside artists and volunteers, turned it into a community growing space. Residents are free to come and harvest the produce, re-paying the charity in kind by carrying out ongoing maintenance of the site, getting involved with supporting Art Gene events and helping out with school visits. Art Gene has also used the site to host events such as ‘Barrow Nightlife’, where the community were invited to camp at the site and take part in activities such as bat walks.

Low Carbon Barrow is a two-year programme in partnership with the local council to deliver a set of low-carbon initiatives and events around Barrow. The project will include a return of Art Gene’s ‘Extreme Views’, which aims to connect with the community on climate issues and inspire positive change. This will be supported by a touring, interactive ‘Bug-out’ demonstration vehicle. The programme also includes a grants scheme that will provide European Regional Development Funding to small to medium-sized businesses, charities and community groups within the borough who want to integrate more sustainable practice into their place of work.