Each October organizations throughout the U.S. celebrate culture in America during National Arts & Humanities Month. Coordinated by 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 month-long celebration in 1993.
This year, several University of Florida (UF) colleges and organizations have partnered to lead the celebration on campus. UF’s College of the Arts, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art and UF Performing Arts will celebrate by encouraging students and members of the community to attend their various events, which range from art exhibitions to theatre productions to photography workshops.
“At UF, the arts are a pillar of our university, fundamental to our teaching and scholarship missions and our outreach to the community and state,” said Joe Glover, UF provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “We couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of the celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month, and we welcome everyone to join us at the many events planned for the weeks ahead.”
This year’s partners have also organized a special event, Pop-Up Culture, which will take place at select locations throughout UF on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014 between 8 am. and 8 p.m. From clay throwing to dancing and from painting to debating, student groups and classes will hold various moments of culture all aimed to increase awareness, appreciation and excitement for the arts and humanities at UF. Students and members of the community can experience Pop-Up Culture moments at the Plaza of the Americas, Fine Arts Complex and Southwest Recreation Center.
“National Arts & Humanities Month is unique because it spans the United States, bringing focus on the contributions of the arts and humanities to American culture,” 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, performers and audience members—and all the organizations represented, including dance, theatre and opera companies; museums and galleries, orchestras and much more. The scope and scale of the activities this month remind us how the arts and humanities are woven into our daily lives, from the pictures on our walls to the special events we attend on the weekends.”
Dave Richardson, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, said it is a fitting tribute to the human spirit that we celebrate the arts and humanities, reflecting on the cultural creativity of people and societies. “It is the expression of this creativity that allows us to write novels and laws, depict both great sorrows and joy in painting and film, and change history through the spoken word,” said Richardson. “In essence, the arts and humanities address the very core of what it means to be a person.”
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.
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, previously known as the College of Fine Arts, is one 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 fully-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 World Arts, Digital Worlds Institute, University Galleries and the New World School of the Arts in Miami. More than 100 faculty members and more than 1,220 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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