STRATUS Information

Much has changed since STRATUS began in 2020, such as the rapid acceleration of Artificial Intelligence, which combined with other societal and political pressures, removes people from the process of creating, and focuses on output. This poses a risk of shifting away from collaboration, learning, and a positive association with the process of creation. We have identified a near future where skilled artisans and creatives diminish, and a cultural dark age decentralized outputs shrink creative economies to unsustainable levels. As the world continues to shift away from process, intentionality, and responsibility, the need to preserve the human-led creative processes is more critical than ever before. As such, our mission has shifted towards becoming an organization capable of delivering programs and services to nurture creativity and human connection. We are the stories we tell, the events we host, and the community we bring together. STRATUS’ progression as an organization has allowed us to expand our presence by filling gaps in creative processes, collaborating with those who share our values, and fostering creativity across our community. As we reflect on our shared future and respond to changing digital and physical landscapes, our mission has evolved to affirm our presence as an arts organization rooted in human-led creative practice and preservation.