Plans for Utah State University’s year of the arts to engage the community
By Ford Rasmussen
The staff at the Caine College of the Arts plan to draw community support to Utah State University’s upcoming theme, the Year of the Arts.
“We want it to be a whole Cache Valley thing,” said Adrienne Larson, from the dean’s office at the college. Larson said the theme will be implemented at college extensions and local schools too.
The kickoff of USU’s Year of the Arts will start officially in June with a celebration that will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Lyric Repertory Company.
“That will be kind of a fun thing we’ll get going,” said Whitney Schulte, the Caine College of the Arts marketing director.
Schulte said they will run contests, give away event tickets and have donor events to get the public involved in the arts.
For some students, music and arts don’t only provide personal outlets but serve as colorful palettes for job opportunities. Entities like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting are available because of government funding for the arts and humanities.
President Trump’s proposed budget to eliminate funding to CPB and other entities come as a sting for young adults who grew up with not only the physical nourishment from milk but mental nourishment from public broadcasting programs.
The school’s theme was discussed before President Trump announced his budget plan to eliminate government funding to the arts and humanities, but Schulte said it might help get people more involved and excited about the arts.
“I certainly think it couldn’t have hit at a better time,” she said.
