More than 100 arts and humanities related events will take place on and near campus from August to May as part of Buffalo State’s first “Year of the Arts.” Events include elements of theater, dance, fine arts and fashion, including events at the Performing Art Center at Rockwell Hall and exhibitions at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, and possibly the Albright Knox.
“The Year of the Arts is something that everyone can relate to,” said Sara Garfinkle, president of USG and member of the YOTA steering committee. “No matter what your major is you can always find your creative side and let it flourish.”
In terms of Buffalo State, “Year of the Arts” is an umbrella term describing the many events taking place on and around campus this year, and a renewed focus on the arts. The art-centered events will be open to the community as well as students.
Buffalo State College President Aaron Podolefsky announced “YOTA” during his “State of the College” address last semester.
Artistic events have always been happening around campus, but there now is a focus on promoting them and making students and faculty aware of what is happening in the world of the arts.
Dean of Arts and Humanities Benjamin Christy said “YOTA” will be totally inclusive, featuring just about anything that involves arts and humanities in some way. If students, faculty or organizations wish to create an event, they may present their ideas to the department of arts and humanities.
“The arts touch all our lives everyday, in ways that we don’t even think about,” said Anthony Chase, associate dean of arts and humanities.
He said he believes Buffalo State has one of the best reputations for the arts within SUNY.
A Buffalo State communication design major created the logo for Year of the Arts. David Koszka’s design was chosen because it best represented what the school wanted to do with the YOTA program. Koszka was one of 12 design students from professor Stanley Friesen’s multimedia class who were given the task of creating a logo. Although Koszka’s design was the one chosen, Chase said all of the submitted designs were excellent.
Buffalo State is reaching out to community media outlets to get the word out on YOTA, such as Artvoice and 1300 Elmwood magazine, as well as social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Posters to be placed all over campus featuring the logo and promoting the upcoming events will be decided on soon.
“The idea is to have the logo plastered anywhere and everywhere,” said Director of Publications Brian Kantz, who oversaw the creation of the logo.
He and fellow colleagues are creating different ways to get the word out.
There may soon be spots on WBNY, BSC-TV and in Buffalo State publications promoting the events. A Year of the Arts postcard can be expected in all orientation handouts.
In efforts to reach out to the community, Buffalo State may also be teaming up with Artvoice’s Give for Greatness campaign, Christy said, which raises money for art institutions in Buffalo left out of the county budget. If collaboration is decided upon, then certain events may require a donation to gain entrance.
Some of the events happening this year will include a visit from Atlantic Records Recording Executive Steve Rabolvsky, who will deliver a speech Sept. 15 and meet with students Sept. 16. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is scheduled to preform on campus; the date is to be announced. There will be poetry readings, a dance presentation, concerts, lectures, galleries and more. Most events will be free and open to the public.
The events start mid-August and go through May 2012. Yearofthearts.com is under construction as of the publication of this article, but when it is online it will contain a full list and schedule of events.
Ariel Peters can be reached by email at peters.record@live.com.