Current Programs
Knowledge Network
The CSPA’s primary service involves gathering and distributing information related to sustainable art and art-making, from a centralized information network. Thanks to an diverse news partners, new information can be found on our main page almost daily.
We distribute monthly newsletters via e-mail with highlighted news, calls for participation, and upcoming events. To sign up, click ‘join our mailing list’ on the right side of our main page.
The CSPA Quarterly is published seasonally, and features both established and rising artists, academic essays, opinion articles, event highlights, and spotlights on creative projects in theater, visual art, digital media, dance, film, and music.
And, we gather a selection of our favorite books online at our Bookstore (an Amazon aStore).
To take full advantage of the CSPA Knowledge Network, Join The CSPA!
We also offer ways to connect to each other and directly to the center through a variety of social media including facebook and twitter.
CSPA Institute
The CSPA Institute gives artists the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to incorporate sustainable practice into their own as part of their professional training at an established academic institution. Through the CSPA Institute we develop workshops and work with institutions of higher learning to build sustainable arts curriculum.
We are currently working with members of the CalArts School of Theater to develop curriculum that integrates sustainable practices into theater degree programs.
The CSPA’s educationally efforts focus on open source learning, both in the sharing of information and the system’s which enable that sharing.
CSPA Convergence
Originally conceived as an annual event, the CSPA Convergence gathers industry leaders, educators, students and the general public to share ideas and evaluate existing models and infrastructure. Our current intention is to ‘converge’ upon existing festivals and events (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Hollywood Fringe Festival, Prague Quadrennial) in order to respond to current systems, in addition to coordinating special gatherings focused on celebrating the current innovations in sustainable arts.
The first convergence was held in partnership with The Ecodrama Playwrights Festival and Symposium and took place on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Oregon May 21 – 31, 2009. We organized a series of focused think tanks, panels and presentations within the context of the greater symposium.
2010 Convergences included a convening at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and a Sunday retreat in San Francisco.
In 2011, we converged at the Prague Quadrennial in an effort to organize and redistribute (would be wasted) materials to local artists and organizations through an auction project.
CSPA Supports
We are pleased to announce a new initiative: CSPA Supports, a series of micro-grants available to artists creating work that reflects sustainability (environmental, economic, or cultural). The first grant will be awarded early in 2011, with awards ranging between $200 and $2,000. To qualify, the artist must show a history of practicing as a professional artist, and must be a member of the CSPA.
Developing Programs
SHOPLAB
We are currently developing SHOPLAB, a materials re-use and sharing facility, and available shop and storage space. We anticipate the program will launch in Los Angeles, but will be replicable in other cities within the US.
SHOPLAB has the potential to serve over 350 performing arts organizations within the greater Los Angeles area. The facility will provide services that will decrease these organizations’ expenses for storage, scenic materials, props and costume rentals, lighting equipment, and shop space.
