Degree

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

Strings

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

In an interconnected world, collaboration in the arts is rising, challenging the traditional notion of the solitary artist. Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for advancing performing and visual arts, especially amidst declining audience attendance. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating challenges for the arts sector, recent data suggests a gradual recovery, with collaborative efforts fostering resilience.

This dissertation investigates the transformative potential of interdisciplinary collaboration from the perspective of musicians and their organizations. Through three case studies—collaborations between the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and Play On Theater Company, The Next Festival for Emerging Artists, and violist-composer Leilehua Lanzilotti and her collaborative relationship with the Noguchi Museum—the research examines organizational structures, personnel involvement, and community impact. These cases explore dynamics ranging in scale, such as orchestra-theater partnerships, movement and art-music festivals, and composer-museum dialogues.

As a way to further test the scope of interdisciplinarity in the arts, I collaborated with a local visual arts institution, Baton Rouge Gallery – Center for Contemporary Art, to program viola works composed within the last 10 years with works of art on exhibition in a curatorial manner. In following the model from the composer and museum collaborative projects (The Noguchi Museum and Leilehua Lanzilotti), the results were analyzed through an ethnographic lens. These diverse models collectively strive towards two overarching objectives: firstly, to catalyze lasting positive changes within communities, and secondly, to propel the realms of visual and performing arts towards a future characterized by sustainability and relevance.

Date

7-18-2024

Committee Chair

Dr. Kimberly Sparr

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.6527

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