SpectorDance and the Monterey Museum of Art are thrilled to present our 4th annual Ocean Arts Festival at the Monterey Museum of Art on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 1-4 pm. This event features ocean-themed visual and performing arts created by young artists. The festival aims to harness the power of creativity to promote a deeper understanding of ocean science and inspire commitments to ocean stewardship.

The first Ocean Arts Festival took place in 2019 t the SpectorDance Studio in Marina. The concept was borne from SpectorDance’s Ocean Trilogy, a performance on a 10-year collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Here is a link to a 2-minute video about the first Ocean Arts Festival: https://vimeo.com/351456057

SpectorDance’s vision was for the Ocean Arts Festival to be an annual event that would grow and attract both young and professional artists in all genres from around the globe. With Covid-19, we were not able to present the Ocean Arts Festival in 2020 or 2021.

Since 2022, we have partnered with the Monterey Museum of Art to offer our 2nd, 3rd and our upcoming 4th annual Ocean Arts Festival.

Spector Atkins states, “The Ocean Arts Festival is an annual celebration of the power of the arts to teach, inspire, and generate positive change in the world. Through multiple entry points, the festival fosters thought, conversation, and action, and stimulates participants to connect with artistic expression with their social and environmental impact.”

She explains, “The Ocean Arts Festival exemplifies SpectorDance’s mission, ‘Creating & Presenting dance that makes a difference’ and vision, ‘a world where everyone is connected, informed, & inspired through the beauty & power of dance.”

“The Ocean Arts Festival is a collective inviting everyone to participate. The Ocean Arts Festival is joyous and optimistic. Together we can create beauty and change. Join us to raise our shared voices for ocean health and climate action.”