Building an Equitable Arts Infrastructure Symposium Brings Scholars from Across the Nation to UT Austin

The College of Fine Arts and the Equitable Arts Infrastructure Research Group, co-led by Department of Theatre and Dance Professor Charlotte Canning, University of Michigan Professor Paul Bonin-Rodriguez and Duke University Associate Professor of the Practice Sarah Wilbur, are hosting a national symposium focused on the enduring challenge of cultural, economic and racial equity in the nation’s performing arts sector.

“The Equitable Arts Infrastructure Research Group believes that defining, theorizing and historicizing new methods and approaches to an equitable performing arts infrastructure through dialogue and publication will offer new ways for the performing arts in the U.S. to thrive,” Canning said. “While such ambitious and long-term goals cannot be achieved quickly, we believe that infrastructure change requires intentional and long-term collaboration between humanities scholars who want to bring their methods and knowledge to bear on the questions of equitable performing arts infrastructure and cultural professionals who are willing to invest in the deep knowledge and approaches the humanities have to offer.”

In addition to five panel conversations with cultural leaders and scholars, the symposium is anchored by two keynote conversations. The first, between Sarah Wilbur and Maria Rosario Jackson, will only be available to in-person guests on Friday, February 28 from 5-6 p.m.. The second, between Charlotte Canning and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME 1st District), will occur from 10-11:30 a.m. on March 1.

The symposium will be presented at the Harry Ransom Center, and is free and open to the public, though registration is required to attend in-person. Most of the symposium’s events will be live-streamed and archived through HowlRound Theatre Commons. 

Click here to learn more about the Building an Equitable Arts Infrastructure Symposium.