Prior Presents is the keystone of the Prior Performing Arts Center’s public-facing programming, merging thrilling live events by visiting artists with robust educational and outreach activities. With their extraordinary artistry and their willingness to defy disciplinary boundaries, the internationally acclaimed artists of the 2024–25 season embody our vision for artist residencies at the Prior Performing Arts Center. Defined by exceptional artistic quality, interdisciplinary impulses, and the potential to spark both wonder and reflection, this annual series celebrates artistic risk-taking and the exchange of ideas and perspectives from around the globe. Short- and long-term visiting artist residencies include performances, artist talks, installations, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities for Holy Cross students and the greater Worcester community. This year’s performances and lectures offer an exhilarating complement to the creativity and innovation of emerging student artists and Holy Cross faculty and staff also featured in our season.

The Prior Performing Arts Center is an uncommon commons for transformative experiences with the arts. With dynamic programming and striking architectural design, the Prior supports arts-based collaboration among faculty and students across academic disciplines; offers technical capabilities to ignite the imaginations of world-class visiting artists and students alike; and provides new avenues for leveraging the positive power of the arts for broad audiences and through civic and community partnerships. The center affirms the College’s investment in Worcester’s recent citywide plan for arts, culture, and community and serves as a beacon of artistic excellence in the region.