Guest Artist Initiatives
The FADC launched the Guest Artist Initiative in 2015 to provide supplemental funding to bring in guest artists and speakers who might expand our understanding as a college community of under-represented cultures and viewpoints. Visiting artists and speakers supported by the Guest Artist Initiative have included a symposium on Music, Property, and Law, as well as residencies by artists Mezcla; Mark “Stew” Stewart; Susana Arenas; Tonya Pinkins; and a hip-hop residency with “Sampling.” We welcome proposals from staff and faculty for guest artists and speakers whose presence on the UT campus will further our diversity, equity and inclusion goals. Proposals will be reviewed three times a year on Oct. 1, Feb. 1, and May 1, and must be submitted at least eight weeks before the proposed residency. Review will begin after each deadline, and based on the number of proposals received, review could take a couple of weeks.
Student Project Support
The Fine Arts Diversity Council (FADC) supports and collaborates with the COFA units in the design and implementation of strategies that advance diversity. By actively establishing and fostering a culture of inclusivity throughout the College community, the council assists in the development of recruitment and retention strategies for underrepresented students, faculty and staff; provides forums for mutual respect, an appreciation of differences, and cross-cultural understandings; and prepares our community for a changing global society.
We welcome proposals from COFA students for projects that will further the FADC mission. Up to $1,000 will be available for each proposal submitted; Proposals with complete information must be submitted at least four weeks before the proposed project.
Proposals will be reviewed three times a year on Oct. 1, Feb. 1 and May 1. Review will begin after each deadline, and based on the number of proposals received, review could take a couple of weeks. Students whose proposals receive funding will be expected to provide FADC with documentation of and images from the completed project. As part of their documentation, students are asked to submit a written reflection, final budget summary and any associated media including fliers, video clips, photos, announcement, etc.
Inclusive Classroom Training
In 2014, the college partnered with the university’s Office for Inclusion and Equity (OIE) within the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) to launch the Inclusive Classrooms Leadership Certificate Seminar. The four-hour training program is aimed at empowering teaching assistants and assistant instructors with the skills to create a positive classroom environment and approach difficult situations that commonly arise in an academic setting.