The Office for the Arts at Harvard and Radcliffe, and the Radcliffe Public Policy Institute are joining forces to launch a new series of annual forums examining arts policy. The Radcliffe Arts Policy Initiative will begin on Thursday, May 13, with "Art and Technology: Policy Pitfalls and Parameters," a public forum exploring the policy and legal implications surrounding the breakthrough field of "cyberarts" -- artistic endeavors in which technology is used to expand artistic possibilities.

The forum will feature a brief performance by a cyberartist followed by a panel discussion including representatives from the legal, policy, and business sectors. The panel will go beyond the narrow issue of arts funding and will address new challenges brought about by the intersection of art and technology.

"As artists continue to use technology to break new ground in music, dance, and the visual arts, a whole new set of questions arises," said Myra Mayman, director of the Office for the Arts. "By teaming up with the Radcliffe Public Policy Institute, we will explore this uncharted territory and determine where the boundaries are -- if there are any boundaries at all."

Participants in the May 13 forum include Marian Godfrey, Pew Charitable Trusts Culture Program (moderator) Jonathan Zittrain, Harvard Law School (legal panelist) Sandra Braman, University of Alabama (policy panelist) Thomas Høegh, founder of Arts Alliance (business panelist) and Sasha Constanza-Chock, multimedia artist. Audience members will be invited to engage in conversation with the artist and panelists.

The forum will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Lowell Hall, at the corner of Kirkland and Oxford streets. Admission is free and no tickets or reservations are required. The event is the only one of its kind to take place during the 15-day Boston Cyberarts Festival.