CalArts’ Center for New Performance (CNP) has partnered with the nonprofit ocean institute AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles to develop new performances that creatively engage audiences with ecological issues. Recognized as the developer of one of the world’s most innovative ocean research campuses, AltaSea will work with CNP to create residencies with artists and scientists to connect scientific inquiry with creative expression.
“CNP shares with AltaSea a respect for inquiry, a quest for new possibilities, and an understanding that there remains vast depths to chart in both the sea and ourselves,” said Travis Preston, CNP artistic director and dean of the School of Theater. “Our goal is to do more than build awareness of the critical issues that we confront on our planet: climate change, energy supply, food security, and the profoundly inequitable way that communities of color are impacted by these issues. Our work is to creatively inspire action and to build deep commitment to fostering change.”
The multiyear partnership will place the arts in dialogue with data to create a “laboratory for future-making.” CNP and AltaSea celebrated their collaboration on Oct. 10 with a drive-in fundraiser called “The Blue Hour,” a reference to Los Angeles’ position as a global capital of a “blue” economy.
“CNPxAltaSea is truly an innovative collaboration for the future of our oceans and importantly is a new and unique way to engage the next generation in AltaSea’s ocean conservation work,” said Founding Executive Director of AltaSea Jenny Krusoe. “All of us at AltaSea are grateful to CalArts Center for New Performance for creating this avenue for engagement through the arts.”