ADMISSION:
Admission is free.

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DESCRIPTION:
In January 2025, a series of devastating and unprecedented wildfires displaced tens of thousands of residents, claimed dozens of lives, and destroyed entire neighborhoods and historic landmarks in Los Angeles.

On the eve of Earth Day 2025, USC Arts Now and the USC Thornton School of Music will present an urgent half-day symposium and teach-in focusing on the impact of the wildfires and highlighting the pivotal role artists play in responding to crises of this magnitude, exploring the intersection of creativity, climate justice, and sustainability.

Curated by Josh Kun, USC’s Vice Provost of the Arts, and Jason King, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, the event will include roundtables and presentations on contemporary culture, climate justice, and sustainability. These discussions will consider the catastrophic wildfires across L.A. County, the broader climate crisis, and how artists can amplify awareness, catalyze change, and support affected communities.

Created to inspire, educate, and galvanize action amongst a cross-section of USC students, faculty, community members, and the public, the symposium will illuminate what sustainable, deep-change environmental advocacy looks like, and how that advocacy can be tied into arts practices.

Schedule:

5 p.m.: Welcome and Introduction: Josh Kun and Jason King
5:10 p.m.: Presentations and Roundtable: Jennifer Lott, Patty Chang, Paula Cizmar, and Allison Agsten, moderated by Josh Kun and Jason King
6:05 p.m.: Presentation: Carolina Caycedo
6:30 p.m.: Presentation: Lily Kwong
6:55 p.m.: Presentation: Lauren Bon
7:20 p.m.: Presentation: Petition for a Climate Resilient L.A. team featuring Patrisse Cullors, Marcos Aguilar, Gabrielle Crowe, and Lauren Bon
7:45 p.m.: Keynote Presentation: Kyle Devine
8:05 p.m.: Keynote Panel: Dawn Richard and Kyle Devine, moderated by Josh Kun and Jason King

Video excerpts by Dale McCallum, Ellie Schmidt, and USC's Arts & Climate Collective will be interspersed throughout the program. 

Presented by USC Arts Now and the USC Thornton School of Music. Co-sponsored by USC Visions and Voices and the Arts & Climate Collective.