International Performing Arts Leaders Explore the Environmental Impact of their Work; New York’s PS122 Plans Green Renovation
New York, NY (January 12) – The British Council and The Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) partnered for a “ Greening the Arts” initiative at this weekend’s APAP membership conference, bringing together leading performing arts professionals from around the world to explore the environmental impact of their work.
“Climate change is a global challenge facing all sectors of society, including the arts,” said Sarah Frankland, Deputy Director and Arts Manager of the British Council USA. “Our goal this weekend is to stimulate dialogue about the future of the arts industry as we confront these obstacles. How can creative industries be leaders in recycling or becoming carbon neutral?”
Greening the Arts conference sessions featured experts from the UK, Canada, Belgium, France, and the US who are on the cutting-edge of using sustainable technologies in the performing arts industry.
Ben Todd, Executive Director of the Arcola Theatre in London, discussed his experience managing the world's first carbon neutral theatre: “The arts are uniquely positioned to be leaders in the greening movement. Sustainability is a creative challenge, and performing arts professionals already have the skills to communicate and inspire the public.”
Nathalie Hebert, a programming agent for the non-profit circus performance center La TOHU—founded by Cirque du Soleil and located in the largest urban landfill in North America, the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex—also sat on the “Greening the Arts” panel. The panel discussion was moderated by Brian Allenby of Reverb, a nonprofit that last year managed the “green” music tours for Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, OAR and Kelly Clarkson.
Greening speakers shared best practices with conference attendees, which include presidents and CEOs of arts institutions, agents and artist managers, artists and ensembles, presenters, curators, artistic directors, foreign cultural bodies and government ministries.
Throughout the conference, the British Council is hosting green consultations, opportunities for conference attendees to meet one-on-one with the greening experts and discuss how to approach environmental issues in the performing arts and the benefits of sustainable policies. This afternoon at 4 p.m., New York’s Performance Space 122 (PS122) will host Arcola Theatre’s Ben Todd for a discussion about PS122’s upcoming renovation project.
In addition to the Greening the Arts program, two groundbreaking contemporary British performance companies will be on display during the conference’s Under the Radar Festival. Discovered during the British Council’s Edinburgh Showcase, UK artists Tim Crouch and Ray Lee’s performances explore the overlap of visual art and live performance.
About the British Council: The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international non-profit organization for cultural relations and education opportunities. In the US, we increase recognition of the wide range of learning opportunities available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and facilitate educational cooperation between the US and UK. Through transatlantic artistic partnerships, we introduce the American public to high-quality, groundbreaking creative achievements from the UK, and our science programs build networks that draw upon the UK's innovation in climate change and other disciplines. We also develop initiatives that give a voice to the next generation of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, encouraging them to work together to explore solutions to current and future global issues.
CONTACT: Samantha YaleThe United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
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