mission | values | board
Mission
Open Arts Studio supports interdisciplinary artistic experimentation and embraces the simultaneous development of the actual with the ephemeral. Open Arts Studio enables creative research into the relationship of the physical body and the material world via performing and visual arts. Open Arts Studio serves as the artistic home of Laura Peterson Choreography and supports the creative work of the company.
Open Arts Studio exists to actively cultivate the connection of body and mind, and support people to become more thoughtful movers, artists, and citizens.
Open Arts Studio Values
Thinking artists
Open Arts Studio values the creative potential of all people
Thinking bodies
Open Arts Studio believes accessible arts educational experiences should be available to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The organization believes in the power of the awakened mind and body to create change.
Thinking Citizens
We are part of a larger community and how we organize matters.
Artistic Home
Open Arts Studio serves as the artistic home of Laura Peterson Choreography. The work of the company is focused on developing live performance with visual art installations that offer opportunities for audiences to consider the intersection of the human body and the world we inhabit. LPC is committed to creating art installations that are sensitive to the environment and seeks to use materials that do not contribute to the degradation of the natural world.
Studio
Open Arts Studio recognizes the importance of maintaining spaces where dance artists can come to explore movement. Open Arts Studio is a place to develop choreography and interdisciplinary performance works, where new ideas about the intersection of dance, visual art, community engagement, inclusivity, and sustainability can be explored through the organization's programs. The studio welcomes all bodies as they explore their artwork.
Land Acknowledgement
The work of Open Arts Studio is situated on the unceded territory of the Lenape people and the organization pays respect to their land, water, and ancestors, past, present, and future. Open Arts recognizes the legacy of colonization, broken treaties, and genocide of the First Peoples and is committed to learning and acting to undo injustice within the studio and organizational practices.
Beliefs (working draft)
Open Arts Studio places a high value on equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe these must be reflected at every level of the organization. America’s historical oppression of Black, Indigenous, People of Color must continue to be confronted and Open Arts Studio is committed to addressing our actions as an organization to undo oppression in the arts and remain open to change and growth.
Open Arts Studio recognizes the importance of supporting the LGBTQ community by providing a safe space to explore artistic expression.
Open Arts Studio values freedom of thought and action.
Open Arts Studio is committed to addressing our practices as they relate to climate change through thoughtful decisions about waste production and energy use.
We will always choose staff and governance who reflect these values.
All are welcome.