From experimental theater to Latin dance, UNC students in the arts are working to make arts groups connect on campus — and “get woke to the arts,” in the words of some members.
Several students gathered Tuesday to discuss how to encourage communication across arts groups and brainstorm for a showcase later this year they currently plan to call, “Arts for Everyone.” Though UNC Pauper Players members Bailey Elrod and Molly Miller spearheaded the forum, they said they wanted it to go beyond the group and even the performing arts community to include all forms of art.
“Arts for Everyone” is planned for March 7 in the Great Hall of the Student Union—Elrod and Miller said they hope it showcases a wide variety of artistic talent. Though students debated the length and style of the showcase and reception, they agreed that it should be about “arts supporting arts” at UNC.
“If it reaches the whole student population that’s dope as hell, but supporting each other was our initial thought here,” Miller said.
Though the group discussed ways in which the “Arts for Everyone” showcase could be modeled after FallFest by including both performances and opportunities for engagement with artists, Elrod said. She wants to ensure that performers get the attention they deserve and are not just in the background.
Nick Bafia, who is involved in film on campus and helped start Bafia-Stamas Productions, proposed a unique way of encouraging the audience to interact with artists. He suggested that the audience gather signatures of artists before getting free pizza. Bafia said he is not sure of that specific plan but wants the showcase to start communication between artists in some way.
“I just want everyone to consume the art before consuming the food,” Bafia said.
There were no representatives present from visual arts groups on campus, but several students at the forum brought up ideas to incorporate visual art into the showcase and ensure that it is not only for performers.
“When designing this event, it’s hard to remove our implicit biases against visual arts and stuff like that, from a very performance-heavy perspective,” Anish Pinnamaraju, a student involved in LAB! Theater, said.
