Talking Stick - November/December 2008 - (Page 43)

Alan Hargrave, associate vice president for student affairs and director of housing and residence life at BSU, comments on the positive effects of these programs: “For a relatively small investment, we accomplish a variety of things: 1) we support student artists, 2) instead of having to resort to prints or copies, we beautify our buildings with original art that would normally be incredibly expensive, 3) we create an atmosphere where students who might not go to a gallery or museum get to interact with pieces of contemporary art.” Hargrave adds that on occasion a provocative piece may lead to interesting and educational discussions as well as program opportunities for the staff. Many other campuses have innovative art programs, including Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, home to a vast collection of architectural ornaments for buildings designed by architect Louis H. Sullivan. The collection began with the acquisition of pieces from photographer Richard Nickel, who was cyNThiA miLLer, BALL STATe uNiVerSiTy mArkeTiNg, commuNicATioNS, AND TechNoLogy featured in Richard Cahan’s They All Fall Down for his efforts to preserve and document Sullivan’s buildings. With support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Illinois Arts Council, and Dow Chemical, the university museum staff has succeeded in reaching out to a wider audience by researching, conserving, and exhibiting the artifacts as well as manufacturing reproductions. Bringing these objects into the residence halls broadens the audience even more. Showcasing student art in as many ways as possible is obviously a good idea, but funding can create an obstacle. As in public schools and small communities, the arts are often the first items cut from a budget, so creative strategies are often needed to secure funding. Mike Schultz, director of university housing at SIUE, credits university museum staff members with successfully finding assistance from many large organizations. At CMU, alumni provided a valuable source of funding several years ago when residence life alumni were asked to donate to a campaign raising money for various programs on campus, including a partnership with the art department; some of the money was used specifically to purchase an expensive system for hanging artwork. Using the art program as an example and providing donation request CONTINUES A drawing by Troy Reutebuch hangs in Park Hall. 58 art enables Us to Find oUrselves and lose oUrselves at the same time. – thomas merton November + December 2008 3

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2008

Talking Stick - November/December 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places The Evolving Role of the Resident Advisor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - November/December 2008

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