Whether you realize it or not, art is all around us. The poster for the movie you are going to see: someone designed that. The novel you had to read for your literature class: someone spent hundreds of hours writing it. The world around us is filled with art and artists, whether we choose to recognize them in our busy days or not.
We live in a culture where being educated about art in all of its different forms is an important piece of being considered a well-rounded individual. Being able to discuss not only visual art and theatre, but dance, film, music, and literature are key to being able to engage in the contemporary world.
But art is more than just a Fine Arts and Literature requirement that you have to take and the discussions that you engage in: it is how the human soul expresses itself. It is a break from reality that allows us to explore, engage with, and think about the world around us.
So explore it! Take advantage of being at a top university where you have the chance to experience art without the cost that it comes at in the real world.
Go to an art museum. Take the time to explore and get lost in a work (or works) of art. You will be amazed at what you find thought-provoking and what you learn about yourself. The Snite Museum is right on campus and has exhibitions that can appeal to anyone, whether you are already an art enthusiast or stepping foot in a museum for the first time. If you are interested in local art, the South Bend Museum of Art is a great place to start.
Go to an event. Being at a university as students, we have unprecedented access to a multitude of arts events at a reasonable price. Weekly, there are free events, or events with tickets under $10. Even if you do not know what the event is about, go! There are theatre (and film and television) events every week. There are book club discussions on a multitude of topics (and often free books involved). The Snite holds events regularly for their different exhibitions. Just this week alone PEMCo has the musical “Merrily We Roll Along” opening, the Browning Cinema hosts films almost every evening, and we are entering the season of concerts. Bring your friends, and talk about it afterwards. Open up your mind to how the event connects with what you are studying or issues in the world.
Take a class. It is one of the requirements anyway, so throw yourself into it and enjoy it! Let yourself explore something new that you have never tried before. Do not let a fear of something new dissuade you from letting your creativity shine. Do not be afraid to go out on a limb and take a class that none of your friends have taken. Ceramics, Introduction to Theatre, Poster Shop, Drawing, the list is endless. You never know, maybe you will love it!
Get involved! There are so many opportunities on campus for every skill level, level of interest, and level of commitment. Join a dance club, try out for a play, join a theatre group. There is no shame in trying and seeing if you like something: that is what college is all about!
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