Walker's upcoming season a mix of disciplines

The Walker Art Center's upcoming season reflects a new level of interdisciplinary collaboration happening among artists around the globe.

According to the Walker's performing arts curator Philip Bither, the new season will include a five-part new puppetry series and five major commissions of new work. Bither said in tough economic times artists depend on institutions like the Walker for support.

"I think it is an important role that the Walker's played for many decades of a generator of new work, and at this time when artists have fewer and fewer resources it seems, that role has taken on more importance than ever," Bither said.

Bither said the new season highlights innovative collaborations across disciplines that are happening in the art world, and that you can see that spirit reflected in its new puppetry series.

"Which has works coming from dance makers and visual artists and movement theater artists and others collaborating with puppeteers or creating new approaches to puppet theater art," he said. "And so for us as a multi-disciplinary art center, it's a wonderful new trend to explore."

The upcoming season also includes an all-European edition of the Walker's annual 'Out There' series, and two world premiere orchestral works, as well as the return of choreographer and Twin Cities native Ralph Lemon in a four-part multimedia dance performance commissioned by the Walker.