Arts
Creative practice as personal expression and social commentary
Introduction
Art—in its infinite forms, functions and implications—is the most accessible and universal way of constructing meaning out of the world we inhabit.
The Arts Scholars program helps students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role that art plays in society and in history. Through a mix of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, collaborative art-making and interactions with guest artists, students consider:
Annual Theme
College Park Scholars' annual theme brings the community together in a shared intellectual experience. We take on a complex, multifaceted problem that demands thoughtful, creative, hands-on solutions, allowing Scholars across all of our programs to engage with one another.
The theme and related programming afford us the opportunity to realize on a grand scale an idea that shapes everything we do in Scholars: We learn better when we learn together.
Academic Showcase
Academic Showcase is the largest exhibition of undergraduate student learning on the UMD campus. Each spring during Showcase, several hundred sophomore Scholars present on their practicum experiences to faculty, students, parents and other members of the University of Maryland (UMD) community. Marking the completion of their two years in the program, sophomores create and share academic posters, roundtable dialogues, performances and more.
Service Day
This year's Service Day took place on Friday, August 23, 2024 at various locations. Please refer to your specific Scholar program's Service Day page for more information about your Service Day site.
All College Park Scholars begin their college experience by completing a day of community service. A Scholars tradition that is more than 25 years old, Service Day reflects our commitment to service and the importance of community, two of our founding values.
History
College Park Scholars was born out of a revolutionary concept: Enhance the education of University of Maryland (UMD) students by creating a learning community where cohorts of students live together in the same residence halls and take a series of classes together. Such an environment—created here through a partnership between academic affairs and student affairs—mirrors the experience found at small residential colleges and encourages continued opportunities for engagement among students.
Following is a roundup of key moments in Scholars history.
Enrichment Opportunities
Enrichment and career development opportunities abound for students in College Park Scholars. Not only do students have access to the multitude of experiences available on the University of Maryland (UMD) campus, but they also enjoy opportunities developed specifically for them.
