New York Performing Artists Share Inspiration on ‘Made Here’

“Made Here,” a documentary series and interactive Web site that gathers interviews, performances and other footage to showcase the lives of New York City performing artists, is headed into its third and fourth seasons.

Beyond entertainment, the series is conceived as a mashup of advice and inspiration, offering a platform for artists not seen anywhere else. The lineup for the next two seasons features artists that include Bill T. Jones, Cherry Jones, Reggie Watts, Joey Arias, Mohammed Fairouz, Lisa Kron, Eisa Davis, Elizabeth Streb and Ethan Lipton. They talk about issues like gender, criticism, influences and staying in New York as well as offering advice for the next generation.

Started in 2010, the Web site has attracted roughly 36,000 visitors, from more than 77 countries. In May 2011, NYC Life (the city’s official public television station) began to broadcast episodes. Since June 2012, “Made Here” has been distributed on Hulu and other places by TenduTV. Season 3 will have its premiere on April 8 and Season 4 on Sept. 16.  With each season’s premiere, a new episode will become available for streaming online on Mondays at 10 a.m.

“It’s grown huge,” Tanya Selvaratnam, a writer and actor who is one of the series producers, said in an interview on Tuesday. “We’re re-doing the Web sites and we have 25 new artists in the series. I’m very surprised with how open they are about how they’ve had to struggle.” Chiara Clemente, the director of the series, said the challenge was to turn each episode “int! o a dialogue, a conversation. There are so many artists it’s a series that can continue for a long time.”

HERE, an organization that presents hybrid art, conceived the series and is executive producer. “Made Here” emerged from the HERE Artist Residency Program, which provides long-term developmental and production support to New York-based performing artists. Since the series began, the project has released 30 episodes featuring 68 artists, and has covered a wide range of issues affecting the performing arts community, including real estate, family balance, technology and money.

Public screenings and events for “Made Here” will take place over the next two seasons, beginning with a premiere screening and conversation on April 10. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations can be made by email to rsvp@madehereproject.org.