"Excellence in creation; relevance to society."

Created in 1980, Judith Marcuse Projects is a not-for-profit arts company that works in the disciplines of dance, theatre, music, film and new media. We aim to create excellent art, to nurture the voices of youth and adults on issues of relevance to our society, and to create dialogue that leads to progressive action. This three-fold mission is driven by the simple but profound idea that art is a powerful force for positively transforming lives, catalyzing social change and contributing to the development of civil society. JMP is committed to issue-based artistic creation and to community collaboration locally, nationally and internationally.

Over our long history, we have morphed from a touring repertory dance company (albeit with somewhat unusual programming), to producers of an annual multi-arts festival, to film and television production and, for the last 12 years into the present, as pioneers in various forms of art work that is designed to facilitate progressive social change. Our present projects, which focus on the voices of youth, are local, national and international.

We have produced small and large-scale art projects and productions which include live performances and touring; video, film and television; workshops and animation events. Our languages are dance, theatre, music, video and film and the visual arts. We work in Vancouver, across Canada and, periodically, outside the country. We believe that art is necessary and work to integrate art and art making into a broader community-- to de-ghettoize the arts and "widen the circle". We believe that relevant, excellent art practices can be transformative tools, creating positive social change.

In 2010 JMP celebrates its 30th year of operation as a multi-faceted arts organization with a focus on youth and activism. JMP is undergoing a major addition to its operations as we partner with Simon Fraser University to create the International Centre of Art for Social Change (ICASC). This new initiative will house learning and dialogue programs, networking events and research projects designed to nurture and support the growing global community of arts for social change.

ICASC is a hub where people working for progressive change in fields such as health, social justice and human rights, environmental education and community economic empowerment, can learn about the many ways that art for social change practices can be used as highly-effective tools in their work. http://www.icasc.ca