Sitting in front of a round table located in the middle of his office, decorated with lush green plants and surrealist decor, Seth Beckman explained why 'Arts Alive' was created and is significant.
“I put together a committee of my faculty and staff colleagues who come together and talk about what does it mean to develop a season where all of the departments are represented at the table. And we work transparently and collaboratively on how we design a season that represents that breadth of experience of our entire student body,” Beckman said.
'Arts Alive,' an event series held annually by the College of Fine Arts, presents a variety of activities that can be viewed by Ball State University students and the Muncie community.
Starting in 2019, initially for the School of Music, the event series branched out to include gatherings from the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA), the School of Art, and the Department of Theatre and Dance, in which guest speakers would be invited to showcase their skills.
He said this is how the Ball State student and the Muncie community have the ability to see and work with professional artists and musicians.
“It utilizes resources to ensure that we've got lots of amazing and world-class guest artists that come to our campus and work with our students. So, it's been long-standing in our community and on our campus,” Beckman said.
Beckman further stated which guest speakers and artists have attended ever since the start of 'Arts Alive' for this year.
Beckman lists Dede Ayite, a costume designer who works in Broadway and received multiple Tony nominations for her work, and Trenton Doyle Hancock, a contemporary artist who has earned multiple awards and fellowships, most notably the 2019 Texas Medal of Arts award in Visual Arts.
Another group invited to the group for 2024’s 'Arts Alive,' as well as being invited in the past, is the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
The Orchestra has a rich history with 'Arts Alive,' as some of the members have been or are presently part of the group.
Beckman said the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is an example in which members of the group, some of which are Ball State alumni, work with students directly in turn of giving back to the community.
This leads to the role of alumni taking part in this series, connecting with students and the Muncie community as a whole.
“They look to this series as an opportunity to expand their own palates of what it means to be an artist as well as to imagine what's possible for themselves as they look to their careers and they look to their lives for the love of it,” Beckman said.
The logistics for organizing events during 'Arts Alive' are discussed by all departments of the College of Fine Arts through a committee.
Stephen Campbell, an associate director of music at Ball State and chair of the 'Arts Alive committee,' shared how the process works in planning all factors of the event series.
He explained that faculty members from the art department, DOMA, Emens Auditorium, the music department, and theater and dance are nominated and voted on by all departments. They meet on a frequent basis and discuss matters regarding the event series.
Campbell explained further how an artist or group gets booked for an event.
“Once an artist or arts organization has been booked, there is a contract which establishes the responsibilities of both Ball State and the artist or arts organization for the event,” Campbell said. “Additionally, the artists typically have a document called a 'Rider' which outlines everything they will need for the services they agreed to provide. Items on a typical rider include specific warm-up times and spaces, chairs and music stands, recording specifications, and other service items for the green room and backstage area.”
The upcoming performance for 'Arts Alive' will feature the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra at Sursa Hall March 28 at 7:30 p.m. This performance will be held in coordination with DOMA for its spring special exhibition titled “Beyond the Medici,” for their celebration of Italian Baroque art.
Rachel Anne Buckmaster, associate director of DOMA explained the impact this has on 'Arts Alive.'
“We’re so appreciative of the opportunity to bring arts events to the Ball State community and beyond,” Buckmaster said.
Tickets to all 'Arts Alive' events are free for Ball State students.
“I feel like what 'Arts Alive' does now is it shows our communities, including students, faculty, alumni, staff, friends, benefactors, what's possible in the arts and expands people's understanding of what the arts are,” Beckman said. “From my perspective, and from the perspective of others, we work together in our respective roles to better our community in the communities of Ball State, Muncie, Delaware County, East-Central Indiana, Indiana and beyond,” Beckman said.
For more information on the 'Arts Alive' Program go to its website.
Contact Jose Padilla with comments at JPadilla4@bsu.edu.
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