Sometimes a cluster of activities draws attention to something that has been emerging over a longer arc of time. Such is the case with the recent announcements that CAP21 has forged a new working partnership with Long-Island-based Molloy College, Naked Angels has formalized a relationship with The New School for Drama and Boston-based Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has launched a collaborative relationship with Babson College. While these are recent examples, numerous such relationships have emerged over the past decade and more including the Orlando Shakespeare Theater with the University of Central Florida and Ballet Jorgen with George Brown College in Toronto, who have been partnered since 1992.

 

None of these relationships are exactly the same – all respond to the unique needs and situations of the organizations involved – but they do share some commonalities. Educational institutions contribute resources including facilities, highly motivated and trained students and administrative infrastructures and come with needs for artistic content, professional opportunities for their students, and the means to raise their profile and attract students. Arts organizations help to meet these needs through artistic programming, significant practice-based knowledge, creative approaches to curriculum, and connections to the professional performing arts world for faculty and students. At the same time, professional artists and arts organizations benefit from R&D opportunities, access to performance spaces and fees or salaries to support their artistic teams. What is most notable and encouraging is that all of these relationships have been co-created between arts entities and educational institutions themselves, to serve their needs and share their resources in ways that are beneficial to both.