MDC Live Arts Miami in Avignon and Chalon

Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of Miami Dade College Live Arts Miami, traveled to France this summer to visit two major performing arts festivals – Chalon dans la Rue and the outdoor program of the Festival d’Avignon – as part of a professional program led by Villa Albertine New York.

1. You recently attended both the Avignon Festival and the Chalon dans la Rue street arts festival. What stood out to you most from this experience, in terms of the diversity of performances and artistic scenes you encountered?

My experience was extraordinary! From the caliber of the artists to the inventive uses of public space, attending both Chalon dans la Rue and the Avignon Festival gave me a rich understanding of France’s deep commitment to a thriving cultural sector. There was also such a phenomenal international embrace—not only in showcasing artists from around the world but also in welcoming global arts professionals to these vibrant celebrations of creativity across borders.

2. In addition to the shows, you also connected with many performing arts professionals in France. What kinds of opportunities or potential collaborations seem most exciting to you?

Both festivals were meccas for creative professionals from around the world. I loved the way artists, producers, educators, funders, and presenters gathered not at a dry conference, but around the art itself—doing business on the fringes. We met so many inspiring creatives, and I was able to extend my network into France and beyond. I was particularly excited to connect with the Director of FAI-AR, France’s leading school for artistic creation in public space. They offer a wonderful bilingual, online educational resource focused on creation in public space, and I’m eager to explore how we might make that available to both student and professional artists in Miami.

3. How do you see this experience in France inspiring your work at Live Arts Miami, and perhaps opening the door to future presentations of French artists and companies in the U.S.?

I left incredibly inspired on so many levels. It would be impossible to experience the richness of these two extraordinary festivals and not return with a refreshed perspective on our work locally. Miami has only begun to tap into the boundless potential of performance in public space, and I’m particularly excited to explore how Live Arts Miami can lead the way in bringing more of this to life.  I’m so grateful to Villa Albertine for this experience!

Photo  attached with IDs from left to right:

Gintarė Masteikaitė, Artistic Director for New Baltic dance and ConTempo Festival

Kathryn Garcia, Executive & Artistic Director for Live Arts Miami

Adjjima Na Patalung, Festival Director for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival

Ruth Winkler, Director of Arts Programming, Clark College Foundation

Elena Siyanko, Co-Director, Down to Earth Festival