Facilitating The Meaningful Arts Experience: Contextual Practice Among Contemporary Performing Arts Presenters

Globalization and the interest in multiculturalism have brought an increase in artists performing outside their own cultures. Simultaneously, changes in American culture have precipitated the need to re-examine the ways in which performing arts organizations engage with audiences. This research examines how performing arts presenting organizations are approaching the contextualization of contemporary international work to encourage meaningful connection and deep engagement within increasingly diverse audiences who come to the work for increasingly diverse reasons. Through interviews with presenters at a variety of organizations throughout the country, in large and small markets, including multi-art centers and university-based performing arts centers, a rough consensus of content types and delivery methods emerges, illustrating a shift from a linear, outreach model to a multidirectional model which privileges the audience member's knowledge and expertise. Barriers to creating robust contextual programming are examined and a lack of appropriate evaluation is revealed. This research argues for the importance of contextual programming in organizations that wish to be responsive, resilient and relevant to their changing communities.