Arts

Examining the role of The Arts as a catalyst for healing, transformation and action

Introduction

The practice of Art—in its infinite forms, functions and implications—is the most accessible and universal way of constructing meaning out of the world we inhabit.

Our Philosophy: The Arts are not just for experts. They are not solely for the enjoyment of the elite. They are not a superfluous extravagance. The Arts are for us all, expert and novice alike. They are not just an end in and of themselves, but a means. They shape, and are shaped by the world we inhabit.  

Students in the Arts Scholars program gain a deeper understanding of the impact of art as a means to explore society and culture against the backdrop of our individual differences and shared experiences.  

What you can expect: No matter your major, area of artistic interest, or skill level, as a member of our community, you will be challenged to strengthen your personal artistic skill set, experiment with new and different art forms, and gain a deeper understanding of the value of the arts in our personal and collective lives. We will investigate the power of the arts to:

• Communicate difficult concepts
• Advocate for social change
• Investigate the human experience
• Explore our own identities
• Develop our capacities as creative problem solvers and critical thinkers
• Reinforce, but also upend existing systems of inequality and oppression
   

Colloquium and Lecture Topics

Through a mix of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, collaborative art-making and interactions with guest artists, students consider:

• What is art? What is “good” art? Understanding social definitions of art and their influence on our beliefs of what should or should not be considered art.
• What does research look like in The Arts? Exploring common methods of research aligned with professional artistic practice. 
• How have The Arts legitimated and perpetuated systems of inequality across race, socio-economic status, gender, etc.?  Conversely, how can we leverage The Arts to generate equity and belonging? How can The Arts reshape or recontextualize understanding of our (individual and societal) learned history, biases and beliefs? 
• West African djembe: Exploring the role of music in community building, storytelling and cultural understanding.