Each October organizations throughout the U.S. celebrate culture in America during National Arts & Humanities Month. Coordinated by the Americans for the Arts, National Arts & Humanities Month grew out of National Arts Week, which the National Endowment for the Arts and Americans for the Arts started in 1985. The event became a monthlong celebration in 1993.
This year, nine University of Florida (UF) colleges and organizations have partnered to lead the celebration on campus. UF’s Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere; College of the Arts; College of Design, Construction and Planning; College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; Florida Museum of Natural History; George A. Smathers Libraries; Harn Museum of Art; Samuel Proctor Oral History Program; and UF Performing Arts will celebrate by encouraging students and members of the community to attend their various events, from plays to lectures to art exhibitions.
“The arts and humanities are fundamental to education and scholarship at the University of Florida, nurturing creativity and innovation, and helping to foster a rich and mindful university culture,” said UF President Kent Fuchs. “We are thrilled to join in the celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month, and we encourage everyone to be a part of the many great events planned for the coming weeks.”
In addition to the monthlong celebration, is Pop-Up Culture, a special event taking place at the Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. From musical performances to live debates and from dancing to caricature drawings, there will be something for everyone. There will also be live screen printing of Pop-Up Culture T-shirts for UF students and numerous other interactive activities such as painting, letterpress printmaking and indigo Shibori dyeing aimed to increase awareness, appreciation and excitement for the arts and humanities at UF. Students and members of the community are invited to attend.
“National Arts & Humanities Month is unique because it spans the United States, bringing focus on the contributions of the arts and humanities to the American culture, the economy and international diplomacy,” said Lucinda Lavelli, dean of the College of the Arts. “What an exhilarating feeling is generated when you think about all of the participants—students, faculty, alumni, performers and audience members—and all the organizations represented, including dance, theatre and vocal groups; museums and galleries, orchestras and much more. The scope and scale of the activities this month remind us how the arts and humanities are a part of the fabric of our daily lives, from the pictures on our walls to the special events we attend.”
“I am especially proud of the leadership the students bring to this national celebration,” said Lavelli. “Through events such as Pop-Up Culture, they showcase and share their creative spirit and talents.”
To learn more about National Arts & Humanities Month and to see how communities across the U.S. are celebrating, visit www.americansforthearts.org/events/national-arts-and-humanities-month. To learn more about UF’s Pop-Up Culture event visit www.arts.ufl.edu/ahmonth.
Join the national conversation about National Arts & Humanities Month by using #ShowYourArt online and tagging @Americans4Arts on your social media updates. Share your own art, art you like or events you attend in October to help showcase the vibrant and varied art happenings across the country. Join the conversation online about our Pop-Up Culture moments by using #PopUpCultureUF.
About the College of the Arts
The College of the Arts is one of the 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. The College of the Arts offers baccalaureate, master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in its three institutionally-accredited schools — the School of Art + Art History, School of Music and School of Theatre + Dance. The college is home to the Center for Arts in Medicine, Center for Arts and Public Policy, Center for World Arts, Digital Worlds Institute, University Galleries and the New World School of the Arts in Miami. More than 100 faculty members and approximately than 1,200 students work together daily to engage, inspire and create. The college hosts more than 300 performances, exhibitions and events each year. Faculty and students also exhibit and perform at other local, national and international venues. To learn more, visit www.arts.ufl.edu.
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Media Contact
Leah Spellman, APR, Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346
lspellman@arts.ufl.edu
