John Kenneth Paranada

John Kenneth Paranada
Curator of Art and Climate Change, Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, London, UK

John Kenneth Paranada, a British-Filipino curator and researcher, holds the pioneering role of Curator of Art and Climate Change at the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia. His appointment marks a significant step in the UK's museum landscape, emphasizing a dedicated response to the climate crisis through innovative curatorial practices. Paranada combines social and environmental sciences with artistic exploration, adopting an interdisciplinary strategy to pivot towards planetary reciprocity and address the crisis of relevance of museums and cultural institutions in the 21st century.

His curatorial philosophy centers on accelerating ecological awareness by merging art with various disciplines and lived experiences from both inside and outside the academy, offering tangible pathways and new solutions to our myriad poly-crises. This approach allows him to explore complex themes such as the Anthropocene, sustainability, modernity, Indigenous wisdom, land use, and the overarching challenges of the climate emergency. Paranada's work significantly propels discussions on empowering art and culture to boost climate awareness and offer practical solutions as the impacts of unprecedented climatic shifts increasingly permeate everyday life.

Paranada aims to show how museums can contribute to sustainable development and motivate museum professionals worldwide to enhance or initiate ecologically-minded practices. Additionally, as a researcher at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, his curatorial projects benefit from profound collaborations between the arts and sciences. Paranada is the curator of "Sediment Spirit" and co-editor of "Planet for Our Future" (Sainsbury Centre, 2023). His recent publications include: "A Path Forward: Curating Art & Climate Change at the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia" in Museums, Sustainability and Sustainable Development (International Council of Museums' Museum International, 2024); "How Do We Begin a Meaningful Conversation About Art's Place in the Climate Crisis?" in Design for Our Planet (Design Council, 2023); and "Collisions: Art and Climate Change" in Adaptation: A Reconnected Earth (Museum of Contemporary Art and Design Manila MCAD, 2023).