Open House
There’s no better way to get to know UArts than by exploring our virtual Open House, which will feature live events that give you deeper insight into our creative community. Meet our award-winning faculty, and experience firsthand what life is like as a UArts student.
Our fall virtual Open House is Oct. 25–Nov. 5, 2021. You may attend as many events as you want to.
Register for multiple events at once.
Click on the events below to register for individual events.
Open House events include workshops to help bring your ideas to life; performances and readings to get inspired; tours of our studios and facilities; and Q&As with current students and faculty. You’ll get a taste of what it’s like to study here, collaborate with other artists, make meaningful connections with mentors and gain behind-the-scenes insight from industry professionals.
If you are a prospective graduate student, learn more about attending our virtual Graduate Information Session.
Schedule of Events
Click on the events below to register. You may register for as many events as you want to. All times are listed in Eastern Time.
World-Building: The Audience Experience, Oct. 25, 4 p.m.
Artists across all disciplines come together to change the present moment by telling a story inside a unique world. Sometimes, artists want to transport their audience with delight, bending reality to cause shock, leaning hard into realism and indulging their senses to provoke strong feelings—all while wanting to suspend and engage the audience in their stories. During this workshop, you’ll work with Directing, Playwriting and Production Program Director Amy Dugas Brown to begin building your own world. Register now.
Explore our Metal Shop, Oct. 25, 4:30 p.m.
Ready for an action-packed and noisy experience? Take a deep dive into our metal shop and learn how current students from our Metal Forging and Casting Club utilize the space. Sculpture Coordinator Laura Frazure will guide you through our metal shop. Register now.
Creative Writing: Undergraduate Reading Series, Oct. 25, 5 p.m.
Connect with current Creative Writing students during an undergraduate reading series. You’ll learn about the Creative Writing program and be able to ask any questions you may have during a Q&A with faculty and students. This event is hosted by Creative Writing Program Director Steven Kleinman. Register now.
Expressive Communication, Oct. 26, 4 p.m.
Communication is complex! Everyone does it differently. During this workshop, you'll explore different ways to communicate using nonverbal cues, such as facial expressions and gestures central to American Sign Language (ASL). Join the discussion of important topics in Deaf culture and communities with UArts faculty member June Goodwin. Register now.
Changing the World Through Design, Oct. 26, 5 p.m.
Explore how designers are changing the world we live in. You’ll learn about the power of design from Graphic Design Program Director Angela Riechers and see work from UArts students, faculty and alumni. UArts guest lecturer Mark Randall, principal and creative director of WorldStudio Inc., will discuss how he and his firm use design to influence positive social change by presenting a case study of his own branding and mission for B-Line Ice Cream. Register now.
Kickstart your Character Designs, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.
Take your character designs to the next level with Animation faculty member Chris McDonnell and Game Art Program Director Erik Van Horn. You’ll explore quick methods and theories for sparking creativity. All you need for this workshop is a pencil and paper. Register now.
Choreographers as Teachers, Oct. 27, 4 p.m.
Join nationally recognized choreographers and UArts faculty members Mark Caserta, Dinita Clark and Gary Jeter for a roundtable discussion about process and intention while creating choreography for and with students. You’ll explore clips of the choreographers’ work and learn about opportunities to connect with these artists in the future. Register now.
Etching and Screenprinting Studios, Oct. 27, 4:30 p.m.
After a warm welcome from the coordinator of Expanded Drawing and Print Media, Rebecca Gilbert, you’ll get a sense of the space and equipment available in our etching and screenprinting studios. Current students will deliver live demonstrations of printing original works on paper from carved woodblocks and photo stenciled screens. Register now.
Creative Writing Spaces, Oct. 27, 5 p.m.
Join Creative Writing Program Director Steven Kleinman on a virtual tour of our Creative Writing spaces. Steven will start in Terra Hall, then take you on a quick walk through Center City. The tour will culminate in a discussion of our Creative Writing program in the garden of the Philadelphia Art Alliance. Register now.
The Sound of Performance and Composition in the School of Music, Oct. 27, 5 p.m.
Listen to ensemble performances and works by current students in Instrumental and Vocal Performance and Composition. You’ll also hear from students about their experiences and opportunities in the programs. This event is hosted by Dean of the School of Music Micah Jones, Vocal Performance Program Director Liz Radigonda and Composition Program Director Dave Thomas. Register now.
Using Your MBET Education to Serve Your Career Goals, Oct. 28, 4 p.m.
Join MBET faculty and students to learn how an MBET education can prepare you to reach your career goals. You’ll learn about the opportunities in the program and hear from students who are turning their experience into future careers. Register now.
Current Student Panel, Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m.
Hear from current students about life at UArts. You’ll learn about the UArts community, life in Philly, living on and off campus, and more! Register now.
A Sculpture Experience, Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
At UArts, students continually expand their creativity by taking a variety of classes. During this workshop, you’ll meet current students of different majors working on their 24'' clay anatomical models. Sculpture Coordinator Laura Frazure will also take you on a virtual tour of our beautiful carriage house studio. Register now.
UArts: From Admission to Alumni, Oct. 30, 12 p.m.
Join us to learn how UArts prepares our graduates to be strong, collaborative practitioners across creative disciplines. You’ll hear about our degree programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and will receive guidance on the admission and financial aid processes. The event will be hosted by Assistant Vice President for Admissions Angela Jones-OBrien, and followed by a Q&A to answer any questions you may have. We can’t wait to see you there! Register now.
Making Choices: Singing What You Love, Nov. 1, 4 p.m.
Get the boost you need to find the materials you love with Musical Theater Program Director Kikau Alvaro. You’ll learn about audition tips, tricks and methods to find that perfect audition song. Any performer interested in learning how to navigate the virtual audition space should join! Register now.
What is a Word? Nov. 1, 5 p.m.
What even is language? During this workshop, led by UArts faculty member Jamison Foreman, you’ll discuss and experiment with language. You’ll also learn what exactly you can do with your own voice and language to affect society. Register now.
UArts: From Admission to Alumni, Nov. 2, 4 p.m.
Join us to learn how UArts prepares our graduates to be strong, collaborative practitioners across creative disciplines. You’ll hear about our degree programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and will receive guidance on the admission and financial aid processes. The event will be hosted by Assistant Vice President for Admissions Angela Jones-OBrien, and followed by a Q&A to answer any questions you may have. We can’t wait to see you there! Register now.
Current Student Panel, Nov. 2, 6 p.m.
Hear from current students about life at UArts. You’ll learn about the UArts community, life in Philly, living on and off campus, and more! Register now.
Careers in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Athletic Training for Dance Majors, Nov. 3, 4 p.m.
Join UArts faculty member and School of Dance Assistant Director Sara Procopio to learn more about the enrollment partnership agreement between UArts’ School of Dance and Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University. This partnership enables UArts Dance majors to earn their BFA at UArts while pursuing the completion of prerequisites at Jefferson for master’s degree programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Athletic Training. Register now.
Illustration Sketchbook Magic, Nov. 3, 5 p.m.
Sketchbooks are a gateway to creativity: You draw, paint, write, resolve, share and finish ideas for anything you can imagine. Work with Illustration Program Director Rosae Reeder and UArts faculty member, illustrator and cartoonist Christine Larsen to create your own magic with your sketchbook. You’ll learn about Christine’s process and pick up new techniques for your own creations. Register now.
Crafting Compelling Characters for the Screen, Nov. 3, 6 p.m.
Characters are the essential heartbeat of cinematic storytelling, and they steer us through the emotional journey of films and TV shows. But how and why do we bond with the characters we like to watch? Screenwriting Program Director Susan Skoog will explore and dissect what makes a character captivating and how to create dynamic characters that connect with audiences. Screenwriting students will also be available to discuss their creative approach for building characters, as well as answer questions during a roundtable conversation. Register now.
Painting Studio Exploration, Nov. 4, 5 p.m.
Take a virtual tour of our Painting studios with Fine Arts Program Director Rebecca Sack. You’ll observe and engage with current students while they work in private and semi-private studios, as well as see our Painting facilities. Register now.
Creative Filmmaking Processes, Nov. 4, 6 p.m.
Learn about filmmakers’ evolution of creative processes. You’ll see excerpts of works from current students, recent graduates and Film Program Director Mike Attie, and learn how each filmmaker’s style and skills developed during their time at UArts. Register now.
Kirstin Valdez Quade Reading, Nov. 4, 7 p.m.
Join a reading by visiting writer, award-winning author and Princeton University faculty member Kirstin Valdez Quade. Kirstin’s debut novel, The Five Wounds, was published in 2021. Register now.
Me Becoming You: Taking on Another’s Movement Voice as a Way of Coming Into One’s Own, Nov. 5, 4 p.m.
During this workshop, you’ll work with UArts faculty member Paul Matteson to practice nonjudgmental observing, movement expression and collaborative making. Register now.
Photography Facilities, Nov. 5, 6 p.m.
Learn about UArts Photography facilities from Photography Program Director Jennifer Greenburg. You’ll see how current students utilize the lighting studio and large printing area, and learn about the equipment being used and available resources to continue expanding your creativity. Register now.
Can’t make it to our Open House?
Join us for a student-led virtual or in-person campus visit! Learn about our programs, and explore our Center City Philadelphia neighborhood. Each visit begins with an information session with current students and an admissions counselor. Note: All on-campus events are limited to students and guests who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Visitors must wear a mask and provide proof of vaccination.
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