Dance and Mixed-Media Performance for Building Scientific Understanding and Environmental Respect

Abstract

Art and science are essential for sustainable development, and art-science interactions can advance both fields and enhance their impact. This is supported by historical, personal, and contemporary examples. Dance and performing arts are especially powerful when representing the physical world studied by environmental science, and for encouraging change in thoughts and actions related to the environment. The ways in which artistic approaches differ from the scientific are helpful in encouraging innovation and scientific discovery. Obstacles to such collaborations are discussed, as well as potential solutions and best practices. One such practice is measuring impacts of interdisciplinary collaborations, and a methodology is proposed to do so. Study of these interactions will enable strategic art-science partnerships and encourage wider acceptance of interdisciplinary innovation.