An exploration of how performance art has been used as a tool for political and social activism, highlighting key examples of performances that have addressed issues of power, inequality, and social justice.
History of Performance Art: A study of the origins and development of performance art, tracing its roots from early forms of live art to the present day.
Performance and Protest: Understanding the role of performance art in political activism, and how artists use it to amplify their voices on social issues.
Performing Gender and Identity: Exploration of key themes in performance art, including gender and identity, and how artists use their bodies and personal experiences to reflect on these themes.
Site-Specific Performance: An introduction to site-specific performance and how it is used to engage with a particular location, community or context.
Technology and Performance: Examining how technology has influenced the way performance art is created, delivered and received.
Performance and Embodiment: Understanding how the body is used as a tool for expression in performance art, and how the artist's own physicality can shape their work.
Performance and Power: Examining the relationship between performance art and power structures, and how artists use their work to subvert, question or reinforce these structures.
Activism and Social Justice: An overview of the ways in which performance art can be used to address issues of social justice, such as racism, inequality and environmental concerns.
Performance and Audience: Understanding the role of the audience in performance art, and how their reactions and responses can shape the work.
Collaboration and Community: Exploring the role of collaboration and community in performance art, and how artists work together to create meaningful and impactful work.
Protest Performance: Artistic actions that aim to challenge or protest against political or social issues.
Feminist Performance: Performance art that focuses on gender inequalities and female empowerment.
Queer Performance: Performance art that explores the LGBTQ+ experience, Political activism, and culture.
Body Politics: Performance art that addresses issues related to the body, such as bodily autonomy, health, and social norms about the body.
Environmental Performance: Performance art that deals with environmental issues, such as pollution and climate change.
Civil Rights Performance: Performance art that aims at promoting the rights of marginalized groups and addresses issues of discrimination.
Anti-Racism Performance: Performance art that aims to challenge and dismantle racism and racial bias in society.
Indigenous Performance: Performance art by Indigenous people that explore Indigenous cultures and histories, and advocate for Indigenous rights.
Disability and Access Performance: Performance art that promotes the rights and dignity of people with disabilities, and advocates for accessibility in the arts and society.
Peaceful Protest Performance: Performance art that promotes peace, nonviolence and social harmony, including music, poetry, theatre, and dance performances.