National Sawdust

01. Context

National Sawdust is a dynamic non-profit cultural institution that commissions, produces, and presents programming rooted in sound and supports multidisciplinary artists and arts organizations in the creation of innovative new work. Composer Paola Prestini, who co-founded National Sawdust, serves as its artistic director, alongside managing director Ana De Archuleta, making National Sawdust one of the few New York cultural institutions led by women.

02. Campaign

Working closely with Bloomberg Connects and Apple Music Classical, Cause Lab has helped create the branding and messaging systems for the tenth anniversary season, BEYOND, and the eleventh season (SEE YOURSELF AT SAWDUST).

With each season, Cause Lab has built campaigns across social and print media, developed a local paid advertising strategy, and launched a subway advertising campaign across New York City.

03. Partners

At National Sawdust, artistic partnership is rooted in experimentation, mentorship, and the expansive possibilities of sound. Led by cofounder and Artistic Director Paola Prestini, the space brings together boundary-pushing artists like Japanese Breakfast, Miho Hazama, and Will Liverman, alongside emerging voices supported through initiatives such as the Toulmin Fellowship for Composers and Choreographers. Beyond its own walls, National Sawdust collaborates with cultural partners including The GRAMMY Museum and Sony Hall, while neighborhood partnerships with businesses like Heatonist extend performances into shared community experiences. Together, these artistic and institutional partners position National Sawdust as a space defined by musical refinement, cross-disciplinary exchange, and an intimate connection between artists and audiences.

04. Impact

National Sawdust redefines what a contemporary music institution can be. By commissioning, producing, and presenting work rooted in sound—and pairing bold, cross-genre artists with an intimate, state-of-the-art spatial audio venue in Williamsburg—it turns experimental ideas into visceral, shared experiences. Its impact comes from both sides of the equation: deep, practical support for artists (from residencies and workshops to recording, mentorship, and professional development) and a public-facing commitment to discovery through accessible ticketing and programming that invites wider audiences into new work. The result is a rare ecosystem where innovation is nurtured, diverse voices are amplified, and each performance becomes a catalyst for joy, reflection, and connection.