The University of the Arts closed nearly one year ago today. The abrupt choice by UArts upper leadership meant many staff members and students had just one week to figure out other arrangements and pack up their belongings. Billy Penn spoke with various program leads and deans, faculty, staff and students about their experiences after the schools closure.
Nearly a year later, a UArts “Celebration of Life” will commemorate the one-year anniversary with performances, speakers and artwork from the school. The events will take place June 4-8 at Hamilton Hall – UArts’ former administration center and icon of the school’s logo. Hamilton Hall was recently purchased by Scout, a female-led development firm.
Scout purchased the building with plans to repurpose the space for artists. They asked for community input, particularly from UArts alumni and former faculty, throughout the process. The firm will serve as host for the Celebration of Life celebration
The events
Programming will last from 1 to 7 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, June 4, and running through Sunday, June 8. Here’s a day-by-day schedule:
Wednesday, June 4: Things kick off with an opening ceremony and remembrances. There will be an opening procession and musical welcome, a grounding ritual, alumni performances, council remarks, and an open mic. The day will end with an altar activation, which will be built from UArts remnants, such as clothing, merchandise, letters and books, that honor its legacy. A memory wall will also be included.
Thursday, June 5: The program will be similar – with a grounding ritual, alumni performances, council remarks, and a community open mic. The day will end with space for story sharing and remembrance.
On Friday, June 6, the day will start like the previous ones, but will end with a memory wall and altar offerings, as well as an opportunity to celebrate joyful moments and resistance.
Saturday, June 7 will begin with another grounding ritual, but is packed with several performances, including dance and theater features. The day will end with alumni performances, a community open mic and shared visioning/legacy building.
Sunday, June 8 will be the altar deconstruction. This means participants in the event can each take a piece of UArts home with them. There will be more opportunities for community discussion and a closing reflection.
Beyond this scheduled programming, alumni, students, faculty, staff, neighbors and all other touched by UArts are invited to “contribute a memory, performance or gesture.” Participants will be given 7-10 minute slots to do some kind of performance, presentation or piece – whether that’s in the dance, musical theater, acting, singing/vocal, music, graphic design, visual art or other categories. Those performing will have the opportunity to use two microphones, a grand piano and a speaker system.
Volunteers are also encouraged to get involved.
The celebration calendar is subject to change based on submissions from community members and length of activities.
