Canary Islands’ LAV-C Launches 14th Season Focused on Cultural Sustainability and Global Cooperation

The Canary Islands Laboratory of Live Arts and Citizenship (LAV-C) has launched its fourteenth season, cementing its role as a key hub for research and critical thinking in the region. Led by co-directors Darío Barreto Damas and Beatriz Bello, the project continues to champion a sustainable and equitable approach to cultural management, favoring long-term support for creative growth over the pressure of constant, immediate production.

A major focus of this new season is building cooperation networks that reach far beyond the islands. A prime example is the laboratory’s involvement in Island Connect, a European initiative linking seven island territories to promote artistic mobility and the exchange of ideas. This international outlook is further reflected in the Transoceánica Orillas Antirracistas (Transoceanic Antiracist Shores) project. In partnership with collaborators from Italy and Uruguay, this initiative uses performance art to explore colonial history and migration, positioning the Canary Islands as a vital site for geopolitical reflection across three continents.

Beyond hosting performances—such as the ongoing Danza en Breve series at Teatro Leal in La Laguna—the laboratory is tackling the instability often found in the arts sector. Through its Artistas en Crianza (Artists in Care) program, supported by the Ministry of Culture, LAV-C addresses the common struggle of balancing professional careers with caregiving responsibilities. This work aims to improve the material conditions for creators, who often face unpredictable employment.

LAV-C also serves as a valuable resource for cultural memory. Its Las Vivas sound archive preserves interviews and conversations, ensuring that the legacy of industry professionals and current creative debates remain accessible to the public. By combining these efforts, the laboratory acts as more than just a performance space; it is an active force in building a more inclusive, feminist, and decolonial cultural landscape, strengthening its ties with institutions both locally and across the country.