WADEintoACTIVISM (WiA) is a 16 day performing arts festival curated and produced by WADE. The festival presents work by female and historically underrepresented artists and conversations with feminist allies surrounding gender-based violence. 

2023 artists and activists to include: ZCO / Dance Project, Dansers Citizens South, Finleigh Zack Dance, Nadra Assaf, Heather Harrington, Jennifer Chin, Anna Caffarelli, Crimson Moeller, Vangeline, Elena Wrinkle Garcia, Eilish Henderson, Iyanna Jackson, and Charly Santagado.

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WADEintoACTIVISM runs in tandem with the Global 16 Days Campaign from November 25th (the International Day Against Violence on Women) through December 10th (Human Rights Day). The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Over 4,100 organizations in approximately 172 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign since 1991. 

Giada Matteini, founder, director, producer, and curator, conceptualized this festival during the COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown as a response to the global increase of violence against women. The festival has forged collaborations with artists across the globe and with organizations fighting all forms of violence in schools, college campuses, dance studios, and workplaces. Matteini’s curatorial criteria considers providing a horizontal scope of perspectives on gender-based violence from a balance of emerging artists, established artists, young activists, field experts, small business owners, and institutions leading change. Individuals of all gender identities must be present and represented – work towards dismantling toxic masculinity, gender-norms, violence, etc. cannot be done by women alone.