Overview

Performance Matters (2009 - 2012) was a creative research project rethinking why performance matters through the matter of performance. The project was a collaboration between Goldsmiths, University of London, University of Roehampton and the Live Art Development Agency, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. It "explored the relations between performance theory and practice by moving through three themed years of interlinked research activities: 'Performing Idea' (2009/10), 'Trashing Performance' (2010/11), and 'Potentials of Performance' (2011/2012)", with series of debates, lectures, performances and screenings curated by Gavin Butt, Lois Keidan and Adrian Heathfield.  

What the collection holds

The Performance Matters Archive was created in collaboration with The British Library from project documentation as a limited edition publication, and is held in 13 key public archives in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East, South Africa, South America and the USA. The Archive consists of two booklets and 40 DVDs of documentation from the 'Performing Idea' and 'Trashing Performance' strands of research activity. 

Further information

A catalogue of the contents of the Performance Matters Archive publication is available on the Theatre Collection online catalogue (click on the Ref No to open up the catalogue hierarchy or 'tree').