Ecologies in Planning: Proposals, Budgets, Pitches

Transform your ideas into a clear, focused, and ecologically-engaged project plan and pitch-ready proposal, supported by collective feedback and sustainable planning. 

This is a three-part, online workshop led by Elise Guillaume taking place over the following dates in 2026: 20th January, 10th February, 10th, March, 6-8pm (GMT).

Across 8 weeks, you'll develop a clear, confident, and ecologically-informed approach to plan your project. You’ll break down what sustainability means in an artistic practice, gain practical tools for planning and budgeting, and learn how to articulate your idea into an impactful proposal.

Through guided exercises, real project examples, and constructive feedback from Elise and your peers, you’ll refine your project proposal, build a realistic plan for delivery, and create a tailored roadmap for funding, open calls, and further opportunities to bring your project to life. Expect an inclusive working environment with a balance of taught delivery and space to test and develop your work.

The time between sessions is set aside for self-directed development, giving you both the structure and the space to integrate what you learn into your project and to build progressively from one session to the next, ensuring you get the most out of the course.

While the workshop emphasises sustainable image-making practices in keeping with the Sustainable Darkroom’s ethos, artists working in all mediums are welcome and will also benefit from the course. To get the most from the workshop, we recommend arriving with a subject, community, or location you’re interested in exploring. All experience levels are welcome. 

Session 1 -  Breaking Down Sustainability in Your Practice (20th January)

Using specific examples from a range of artists, we will examine what sustainability looks like in practice across ecological, social, and economic levels when making new work. Elise will break down ecological implications of material choice, such as analogue versus digital image-making, and will provide tools to make informed decisions such as carbon accounting. She will also share practical insights from her own methods, including scientific research, location scouting, and deep listening. Through guided exercises, you will begin developing your own ecologically-informed approach to making. You will be encouraged to apply this new knowledge during your self-directed work, which will involve researching your project, such as on-site research or engaging with your chosen community, and beginning a draft of your project proposal for session 2.

Session 2 – Making a Plan: Constructing a Proposal and Overcoming the Fear of Budgets (10th February)

We’ll begin by sharing project ideas and progress, giving feedback on written project proposals. Elise will share examples of strong project proposals that integrate methods for long-term impact across ecological, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. You will be asked to engage in exercises that will help you strengthen your own proposal, such as creating a project-appropriate budget and plan confidently for the research, production, and presentation of your work, both short and long-term. Self-directed work will focus on refining your proposal and preparing a project pitch.

 Session 3 – Pitching and Beyond (10th March)

Building on Sessions 1 and 2, participants will be invited to present their project ideas to the group. Together, you will critically reflect on how each project integrates ecologically-informed approaches at both conceptual and practical levels. Through constructive peer feedback, participants will learn from and support one another. Elise will share insights on next steps for developing your project, including project-specific funding. You will also be supported in creating a tailored plan that will support you for delivering your project.

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Optional 1-1 mentoring session with Elise to gain further personalised feedback and support on your project. To coincide with this course, this mentoring is offered at a heavily discounted rate and can be booked and claimed up to 6 months after the end date of the course. 

We can accommodate access needs if you get in touch in advance.

For concessionary tickets, at 20% discount, please email us. (sustainabledarkroom@gmail.com) 


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Elise Guillaume is an interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in Brussels. Her work blends scientific research with personal introspection to explore the possibilities of a renewed relationship with the earth and one-another. Her work has been presented internationally, including La Chapelle Jeanne d’Arc Contemporary Art Centre (FR), Espace Croisé Contemporary Art Centre (FR), Arsenale of Venice (IT), Friche la Belle de Mai (FR), Gasworks (UK), Guardian Art Centre (CN), Imagine Science Film Festival (USA), KIKK Festival (BE), VIDEOFORMES Festival (FR), ARGOS centre for audiovisual arts (BE), amongst others. Elise Guillaume has received support for her works, including funding from Arts Council England, Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the Science New Wave Film Fund, and the European Marine Board. Her film Hybrid Terrains (2021) was a finalist for the Aesthetica