Triangle Arts Project

This project is among NEFA's archived projects. Learn about our current programs

The Triangle Arts Project (TAP) began in 1993 and was led by three partnering organizations; the Asian Cultural Council, the Saison Foundation, and NEFA. Recognizing that the United States, Indonesia, and Japan are each home to distinctly different and equally vital dance and performing arts communities, TAP encourages cultural communication and exchange between these three very different parts of the world.

TAP is designed to addresses cultural issues throughout East Asia and the greater Pacific by focusing on three areas: the creative process, art management and technical needs, and documentation/scholarship. The two sets of interlocking "triangles" -- one geographic, one thematic -- weave together to form a program that responds to many of the current concerns of artists and arts institutions in the U.S. and Asia.

Since the project's inception, two TAP exchanges have taken place—in 1994 and 1997— that engaged artists, presenters and scholars from Indonesia, New England, and Japan in an investigation of culturally-based traditional and contemporary art from participating regions and countries. By showing the creative process through workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and performance, participants increased their knowledge of multiple performing art traditions. Local community members also benefited from this unique opportunity to view international performance in studio settings.

Current Activity

TAP is currently in a planning and documentation phase. During this phase of the project, scholars and arts leaders will retrace the travel itineraries of past TAP exchange activity, and assess the program’s impact on artists, presenters, institutions and organizations in the context of environments changed by political, economic and other external factors. The assessment will be presented in visual and written material created by the interpretive team and shared with audiences in each country through exhibition and interactive programs. Additionally, the interpretive team will work with program partners to help identify potential participants for a third TAP exchange.

Funding

Funding for the Triangle Arts Project has been generously provided by the Asian Cultural Council and Saison Foundation.