Sixth annual Spotlight on the Arts Festival set for Nov. 1-12

The University of Georgia will celebrate its myriad offerings in the visual, literary and performing arts this November during the sixth annual Spotlight on the Arts festival, which features nearly 100 events and exhibitions over 12 days.

The festival begins Nov. 1 with "Kaleidoscope: Spotlight on the Arts Opening Celebration," an hourlong showcase of student performances in dance, music, theater and creative writing at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Spotlight on the Arts, which continues through Nov. 12, includes art exhibitions and demonstrations, book talks and readings, film screenings and theater, and music and dance performances, many of which are free and open to the public or discounted for students.

"Spotlight on the Arts exemplifies how creative expression and scholarship in the arts enrich the learning environment at the University of Georgia," said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten. "Over a 12-day period, it provides an extraordinary sampling of the kind of world-class exhibitions and performances this institution offers year-round."

Now in its sixth year, Spotlight on the Arts highlights the quality and breadth of the arts offerings at UGA. This year's festival includes performances of "Cabaret" presented by University Theatre, as well concerts from seven student and faculty groups from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, exhibitions at the Lamar Dodd School of Art and Georgia Museum of Art, and performances from the department of dance's Young Choreographers Series.

A special daylong Student Spotlight event Nov. 2 will feature student performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tate Plaza. On Nov. 11, the second annual Spotlight on the Arts Family Day will include performances, activities, demonstrations and workshops in art, dance, theater, music and writing designed for children and families to enjoy. Both events are free of charge.

Other highlights of the 2017 Spotlight on the Arts festival include an induction ceremony for the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame; a discussion with artist manager Michael Lehman, who represented Gregg Allman and other high-profile clients; lectures from internationally renowned artists, writers and scholars such as photographer Sean Dunn, author Kristen Iskandrian, painter Philip Juras, art historian Martha Lucy and interdisciplinary artist Clark Lunberry; as well as guest performances from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the music group The Bumper Jacksons.

"Spotlight on the Arts is one of the premier ways the Arts Council achieves its mission, and we are thrilled by the lineup of events and exhibits this year," said Russ Mumper, vice provost for academic affairs and chair of the UGA Arts Council, which coordinates the festival.

Members of the UGA Arts Council include representatives from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the creative writing program, the department of dance, the department of theatre and film studies, the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Georgia Museum of Art, The Georgia Review, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, the Lamar Dodd School of Art, the Performing Arts Center, the UGA Press, the special collections libraries and the Willson Center for Humanities and Arts. Also contributing to the 2017 Spotlight on the Arts festival are the College of Education, College of Environment and Design, Ideas for Creative Exploration, Odum School of Ecology and the School of Public and International Affairs.

More information on the 2017 Spotlight on the Arts festival, including a schedule of events, can be found at www.arts.uga.edu as well as on the Arts Council Facebook page, Twitter feed or Instagram.

Many of the performances are free or discounted for students. Events presented by the Performing Arts Center, dance department, Hugh Hodgson School of Music and University Theatre will be available for purchase online at www.pac.uga.edu, at the PAC box office or by phone at 706-542-4400 (toll free at 888-289-8497).

Spotlight on the Arts
Presented by the UGA Arts Council, the sixth annual Spotlight on the Arts festival features dozens of events and exhibitions in the visual, literary and performing arts. The 12-day festival, scheduled for Nov. 1-12, includes museum tours, discussions with writers, concerts, dance and dramatic performances. Highlights include a University Theatre production of "Cabaret" and guest performances by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and music group the Bumper Jacksons. For the complete schedule, go to www.arts.uga.edu.