News from the University of the Arts

September 2011

DesignPhiladelphia To Turn Philly Into Design Central

DesignPhiladelphia, the city-wide celebration of all things design being held October 13 - 23, kicks off its seventh year bigger, better and more influential than ever. One of the largest events of its kind in the country, DesignPhiladelphia has been presented in partnership with the University of the Arts since 2010. From industrial design to fashion, historic preservation to futuristic public art, DesignPhiladelphia unites the creative disciplines with over 130 public events over 10 days. A showcase for the city's creative community, DesignPhiladelphia will feature several UArts alumni, including PlayPhilly founders Giacomo Ciminello BFA '99 (Graphic Design) and Kristin Freese MID '11 (Industrial Design), who will transform the entrance to Café Cret on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with their "Big Chalkers" (pictured top), four-foot tall chalk crayons the public can use to "color outside the lines" and transform sidewalks with their art.

Joseph Gonzales Named New Museum Communication Director

Joseph Gonzales, Ph.D. (right), has been named the director of the University of the Arts Museum Communication program. Prior to his appointment, Gonzales served as the manager of Research and Community Engagement Strategies for the Fleisher Art Memorial. Dr. Gonzales has 20 years of experience in the museum field in Philadelphia, Texas, California and Washington, D.C. He has served as a member of the board of directors of Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas and Taller Puertorriqueño, and program chair for the American Association of Museums' Committee for Diversity in Museums. He is the current president of the Museum Council of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

Call for Alumni Work for 'Making IT' Exhibition

Making IT logo The University of the Arts invites undergraduate and graduate alumni from the classes of 2001 to 2011 to submit work to be considered for this year's "Making IT" exhibition. This juried show coincides with DesignPhiladelphia and the University's Family and Alumni Weekend. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 9.

Professional Institute for Educators Awarded $300K Library of Congress Grant

The Professional Institute for Educators (PIE), a program in the University's Division of Continuing Studies, was awarded a multi-year $300,000 grant from the Library of Congress' Teaching with Primary Resources Program. The grant will enable PIE to create a curriculum that offers professional development for teachers focusing on teaching with primary sources in an arts context and to develop a website to share Library of Congress and other appropriate resources with teacher participants, course instructors and the public. The courses will leverage the strengths of the UArts faculty and local arts organization partners to provide teacher training in four areas: dance, poetry / literacy, painting and art history, and music.

MFA Studio Art Student Shortlisted for the Skywards International Art Prize Competition

Taegyun Yoon (Lujin) MFA '12 (Studio Art) has been shortlisted for the 2011 Skywards International Art Prize competition. Sponsored by Emirates Airlines, the winner will receive a commission fee of $5,000 and will be invited to the Art Dubai Fair - the leading contemporary art fair for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia - where they will display their winning entry along with other artworks they have created.

Yoon's shortlisted piece titled "Cups."

School of Dance Presents 'Knowing Dance More' Series

Beginning September 7, the School of Dance will host a series of lectures, conversations and informal showings lead by important artists, theorists, scholars and curators in the international field of dance. This series seeks to bring into focus current issues within the production, performance and practice of dance works and to foster ongoing conversations about knowing dance (more). Speakers include Susan Leigh Foster, author and distinguished professor at UCLA; choreographer Dawn Springer (right); and award-winning performer, choreographer and scholar Dr. Carol Brown.