Wendy Lasica founded The Field in 1985 as a performance space in Soho. She directed its development until 1987, when she returned to her native Australia. At that point, The Field took on a new direction, becoming a service organization for independent artists. Led by Steve Gross and other emerging performing artists, The Field created programs to help artists improve their artwork and counter the isolation that often comes with the territory of an artistic career. These programs struck a chord within the arts community: more than 2,000 artists are now involved with our programs each year; 17 sites, including non-profits and state arts councils, offer our programs in cities across the US; and more than 1,000 new art works are annually developed under our stewardship.

The Field's mission is to serve independent performing artists on a completely non-exclusive basis. This means that everything we do is open to artists from all aesthetic viewpoints, cultural backgrounds, and levels of development. Our priority is to create a climate where risk-taking and originality are championed, and where the broadest range of voices are included. Field programs are affordable, accessible, and rigorous. To support independent performing artists, The Field's programs are directed toward the creation of new work and its dissemination.

Artist: RedWall Dance Theatre
Photo: Daniel Perez
Website: www.rwdt.org

In terms of creation, The Field: