The Arctic, often imagined as one of the most inhospitable places on earth, has been inhabited for nearly 30,000 years. The various communities that call the region home have found ingenious ways to harness and celebrate their environment, and to co-exist with its wildlife. Today, man-made climate change is transforming the region at an unprecedented rate, bringing with it a new set of challenges. Arctic: culture and climate explores the history of the Circumpolar North and its peoples through the lens of climate change and weather, drawing on a wealth of objects, artworks and voices – from past and present – to show how Arctic Peoples and their cultural traditions have continued to thrive amid both social and environmental change.

Amber Lincoln is Curator of the Americas, in the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas at the British Museum. Jago Cooper is Head Curator of the Americas; in the Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas at the British Museum. Peter Loovers is Project Curator for the Arctic exhibition at the British Museum.