Haruka Shibata

Haruka Shibata is a Japanese producer and production manager based in Tokyo. She holds a B.A. in Aesthetics and Art History from Keio University and an M.A. in Arts & Public Policy from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where she focused on contemporary queer and feminist art, as well as art activism. Following her studies, Haruka returned to Tokyo and worked as a curatorial assistant for Yokohama Triennale 2020, Japan’s first major international art festival held during the COVID era. In 2021, she joined Arts Commons Tokyo, a visual and performing arts production company in Tokyo, and 2022, she served as coordinator of the Performing Arts Division at the Aichi Triennale. There, she was involved in the production of A Conversation with the Sun (VR) by renowned Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul, a leading figure in experimental and independent cinema. She has since continued to manage the international tour and re-creation of the work, with presentations at Festival d'Automne à Paris, Chiang Rai Biennale, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA).

In addition to this work, Haruka has managed numerous international art programs for Theater Commons Tokyo’21-’25 (Tokyo, Japan) and Theater der Welt 2023 (Frankfurt/Offenbach, Germany). Her central interest lies in interdisciplinary art and performance that engages with pressing social issues, fostering dialogue and activism through creative expression.

What drew you to the MA Arts Politics program?
I initially considered pursuing graduate studies in Japan, but found limited opportunities to explore the intersection of art with social and political issues. Traditionally and culturally, academic disciplines in Japan tend to be siloed, making it difficult to engage in truly interdisciplinary study. However, I believe that culture, personal life, and politics are deeply interconnected and inseparable. I wanted to examine the arts and performing arts from multiple perspectives and explore how theoretical frameworks can lead to real-world action. The M.A. program in Arts Politics was the ideal environment for me to pursue these goals.

What are some of the challenges and/or rewards of this program?
Since I had never created an artwork entirely on my own before attending NYU, it was challenging for me to create something new from scratch. However, it turned into an irreplaceable experience and a great opportunity to rethink the creation process with the artists. I came to realize that the experience of building something from the ground up is essential not only for artists but also for those who support and collaborate with them.

How did your experience in the program shape your work?
I gained historical knowledge of art activism across various fields, not only through academic study but also through fieldwork and interviews with art activists and administrators. These experiences provided me with concrete, practical insights into how to take meaningful action within society. Although I'm now based in Asia, these experiences continue to empower me to resist dominant power structures and engage with the world thoughtfully and effectively through artistic practices.
I also deeply appreciated the opportunity to connect with other Asian communities living in the U.S. It allowed me to explore both their and my own cultural identities, which, in turn, sparked a deeper interest in locally rooted, community-based initiatives and drew me further into Asian cultural and activist networks.