Clarice in the Community

 

 

 

 

The Clarice is dedicated to creating robust learning and sharing experiences in the arts with UMD students and audiences of all ages.

 

Arts Citizenship

Arts Citizenship is about bringing voice to the arts by viewing issues through a performing arts lens and creatively responding to issues that can bring joy or concern. Proactively amplifying the value of the arts for social change, we are nimble and responsive in our arts citizenship.

  • It/That Happened: Developed in response to the increased incidents of hate/bias and racial tension on the UMD campus, It/That Happened features short, original works by students followed by student-facilitated conversations, inspired by issues of identity and based on real-life campus experiences with a call-to-action. 
  • Racial Healing Working Group: The Clarice facilitates the collaboration of campus and community organizations who are co-curating events to bring together University of Maryland College Park and Bowie State University, focusing on unity and illuminating humanity in a positive light.
  • Do Good Dialogues: These public conversations with both visiting and locally-based artists involved in activism are held at community-based sites in our creative radius.
  • Campus Fabric: Leveraging the combined experiences of numerous campus organizations and engagement efforts for larger community impact, Campus Fabric is co-facilitated by The Clarice and the UMD Office of Community Engagement.

Artistic Development

By creating opportunities for exploration of and exposure to leadership, management, integration and entrepreneurship in the arts, we strive to help people lead their art form. We encourage artists people to think of themselves as innovators because as artists, they can make the impossible possible, driven by because of the way they think and create.

  • Masterclasses: Visiting artists guest teaching and speaking in University of Maryland classes as well as in the local community.
  • Composer Readings: UMD student composers have original works read and professionally recorded by world-renowned visiting artists
  • Music + Entertainment Starts Here (MESH): In partnership with the Maryland Music Business Society and Terrapin Record Label, MESH is a series of UMD student-designed events about the commercial music industry
  • DeanTalks: The Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities interviews visiting Artists from around the world while sharing a family style meal with students, featuring culturally connected cuisine
  • Concerts in Close Quarters: Visiting artists from around the world give unplugged concerts in common areas at UMD residence halls, featuring pizza and informal conversation.
  • NextLOOK: Local artists receive time, space and dollars to create new work and delve into audience engagement opportunities with support from Joe’s Movement Emporium.

Access and Participation

Through performance, inquiry and even stepping on stage, we create performing arts-based activities for people of all ages to demystify the creative process and encourage curiosity. 

  • Art Reveal: Tickets and transportation for groups in the community who, due to economic constraints, are not easily able to attend events at The Clarice.
  • Arte Vivo!: In partnership with the Langley Park Community Center and the Latin American Youth Center, we reach out to new immigrant families from Central and Latin American countries. Family Art Days, Field trips to performances and out-of-school-time workshops are taught by bilingual UMD students.
  • Arts Immersion Days: K12 students spend a day learning about and touring The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and the UMD campus.
  • Community Concerts (NOI+F): NOI+F musicians perform for, educate and befriend members of the community through a variety of events and concerts at schools, community centers, churches and retirement villages.
  • K12 Student Matinees: The Clarice provides transportation, tickets and study guides for seven performances each season which feature visiting artists and UMD student artists from in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and the School of Music.
  • Creative Conversations: Moderated discussions with artists before or after performances to hear about the works being performed, and to gain a better understanding of the creative process.

Ways to Get Involved

Are you interested in getting more deeply involved with the work we do at The Clarice?Do you want to help find more ways to engage people in performing arts experiences? Do you believe the arts can change the way we think about our lives and the world around us? We have some opportunities for you! 

The Community Action People (CAP) is a gathering of insightful individuals who bring their expertise, passion, familiarity and perspective as part of an on-going dialogue with The Clarice staff. They are our advocates for meaningful engagement with artists and the community. For information on how you can become part of CAP, contact Erica Bondarev Rapach.

IGNITE is the volunteer friends group of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F). This group gathers during the Festival—held in June—and throughout the year to work on projects to bring energy, excitement and support of NOI+F. This group ignites the passion for music and the next generation of orchestra professionals by cultivating relationships, creating community and having fun! For information on how you can become part of IGNITE, contact Angela Smith.

To learn more and get involved, contact Jane Hirshberg