LAV-C Unveils 2025-26 Season Focused on Community and Anti-Racism
The Canary Islands Living Arts and Citizenship Laboratory (LAV-C) unveiled its 2025-2026 season, "The Near," emphasizing community engagement, anti-racism initiatives, and artistic exchange within the Canary Islands.
La Laguna's Leal Theater was the place to be this Thursday for the unveiling of the Canary Islands Living Arts and Citizenship Laboratory's (LAV-C) 2025-2026 season. LAV-C is all about mixing research, creativity, and community engagement in the arts, with a fresh and thoughtful approach that really listens to what the islands need.
The event brought together Adrián del Castillo, the Culture Councilor; Cristóbal de la Rosa, the Deputy Minister of Culture for the Canary Islands Government; Laura Fuentes, director of the migrant center SuperAcció; Darío Damas and Beatriz Bello, the co-directors of LAV-C; and artist Koset Quintana.
This season, called "The Near," will feature the "Danza en Breve" series, showcasing talents like Julia Irango and Alberto Cortés, alongside local Canarian artists Carlota Mantecón and Masu Fajardo.
Also new this year is a focus on anti-racism, with workshops, performances, and artist residencies tackling the important issue of migration. This initiative is a collaboration with the national organization SuperAcció. The Island Connect project will continue to encourage artistic exchange between islands for Canarian artists. Plus, programs for up-and-coming young artists are getting stronger, with an annual event at TEA and opportunities for travel.
Beatriz Bello and Darío Damas highlighted LAV-C's dedication to moving beyond closed-off art circles. They aim to offer a varied program that supports artists and projects that connect with the local community. They see the program not as just a service, but as a way for artists, residents, organizations, and the islands themselves to connect and support each other. LAV-C supports around 30 artists each year, with about 70% of them from the Canary Islands, and reaches over 4,000 people through its community programs.