The arts are often considered the heart of any university, and the University of Northern Colorado is no exception. The university provides students with tools to explore their creative expressions, and important to recognize the impact that arts have on the UNC community. The university’s website notes that the performing and visual arts has created a cultural hub on campus and is a celebration of students' creativity.
The arts on campus foster community through live performances and exhibitions. UNC's theatrical productions invite audiences to explore new perspectives through a variety of different shows each year. These performances create opportunities for dialogue, reflection and emotional connection among students, faculty and residents. The arts go beyond performances, exhibitions, or galleries, they are transformative educational experiences.
The College of Performing and Visual Arts, or PVA for short, offers a variety of arts disciplines, including music, theater, visual arts and dance. With over 700 students enrolled in its arts programs, as undergraduate or graduate students, the university is well-positioned to foster creativity, artistic excellence and innovation. The university provides a curriculum designed to increase students' artistic growth and provides professional tools for success.
Fostering a diverse range of artistic disciplines at UNC helps produce well-rounded graduates who are capable of adapting to an ever-changing world. Students in the arts programs also develop an understanding of culture, history and human experience. All of which are valuable in an interconnected society. By prioritizing the arts, UNC prepares its students with professional skills that make them thoughtful citizens who can lead in diverse and challenging environments.
To prepare artists, the PVA department offers a range of programs to give students the skills to excel in artistic careers. Students participate in challenging coursework, workshops and collaborations to refine tools such as critical thinking and creativity. The hands-on approach of the arts helps students cultivate their craft with skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and communication. Students in the arts encounter challenges in rehearsals, shows and in-class, and can examine an issue from multiple angles to discover solutions and collaborate in teams.
In addition to the artistic and social benefits, the arts at UNC allow students to creatively find solutions to challenges. A study by the American Psychological Foundation found that students engaged in the arts tend to perform better in critical thinking, problem-solving and academic achievement compared to their peers in non-arts disciplines. In the study researchers discovered the positive impact that engaging with the arts has on students' test scores. The foundation found that when students participate in playing an instrument, students test scores improve. The arts have a positive impact on students' abilities in cognitive flexibility and their working memory. This is connected to how artists think outside the box and engage deeply with complex ideas.
Beyond the academic benefits of the arts, UNC also fosters cultural exchange and community engagement, with music performances playing a central role. Every year the university produces approximately 40 music concerts, ranging from classical concerts to jazz ensembles, showcasing the talent of students and faculty. The theater and music performances create a shared space for expression, encourage collaboration and engagement across disciplines. For music students, there are options to work with visual artists, dancers and actors to create interdisciplinary projects.
The culture of collaboration among different areas of study is relevant to visual arts exhibits, allowing for improvement on the UNC campus. The galleries on campus include The Mariani Gallery, The Oak Room Gallery, and The Campus Commons Gallery. These galleries allow students, faculty and guest artists to feature work in them. Featured artists in the galleries provide a wide range of styles, mediums and themes to be experienced by students and faculty. The galleries serve as a space for creative expression and a place for conversation, where visitors can reflect on art and engage in conversations about the meaning and relevance of each piece. These exhibitions highlight the talents of artists on the UNC campus and strengthen the university’s connection to the broader public and its students.
Despite the importance of these programs, the arts at UNC seem to struggle to captivate the attention of a broader range of students. Students are missing the opportunity to engage with the arts, even though UNC offers tickets as low as $17 for students and $22 for faculty and staff. Additionally, the UNC gallery spaces are free to the public, offering more opportunities to engage with the unique artistic culture on campus.
By increasing visibility and engagement, UNC can inform students about the diverse artistic opportunities available on campus. With affordable ticket prices and a wealth of diverse offerings, the arts should be a key part of the student experience, not something that is only appreciated by a select few.
Sophia Raymond is a senior journalism and theater studies majors at the University of Northern Colorado.
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