“It is a tremendous feeling doing work that is urgent–that is responsive to a critical moment or issue in the lives of the audience, and that marries your desire to make change with your desire to make art.”

– David Dower, Former ArtsEmerson Artistic Director

Public Dialogue

ART IS THE PROVOCATION; CONVERSATION IS THE POINT.

ArtsEmerson’s mission is not only to present extraordinary artists and performances from around the world, but to engage diverse multi-generational Boston audiences in thinking and talking about issues that address the concerns and challenges of our contemporary moment.

ArtsEmerson periodically hosts free public dialogues and “Citywide Read” events aimed at connecting the work on our stages, our artists, our neighborhood partners, and our audiences through meaningful interactions.

Audience members are also invited to stick around after the curtain falls to meet neighbors and see all the ways our season’s productions resonate in the city of Boston. After select performances there are opportunities for dialogue with fellow audience members, artists, and members of the ArtsEmerson staff. These events range from informal lobby chats to artist interviews, guest moderated talkbacks, and panel discussions.

“If you have two people in the room, who claim they want to have the talk, they want to try and make things work, how do they do that? That’s a real question, not an intellectual exercise for me.”