February 6, 2017 | Notes From Leadership,

Boston Globe: “Trump’s travel ban creates anxiety in Boston arts community”

 

Here’s ArtsEmerson co-artistic director Director David Dower in today’s Boston Globe on how the travel ban is affecting the planning of the 2017-18 season:

ArtsEmerson, which often presents the work of international theater troupes, including artists from the Middle East, is still studying how the ban could affect the company.

“It’s a very confused moment,” said David Dower, co-artistic director of ArtsEmerson. “When we’re presenting international [acts], we have to go through the immigration system. . . . It’s already been challenging, and now it’s going to be more challenging.”

He added that ArtsEmerson was currently considering two pieces for the 2017-18 season that involve artists from the affected countries.

“Unless [the ban] is rescinded, or expires outright, we cannot do those,” Dower said in a follow-up e-mail. “But just as influentially, not knowing the realities for those artists and shows NOW means we would be having to risk losing the shows down the line.”

Read the full article here.