Arts
CITE supports experiential learning in the visual and performing arts. CITE grant-funded arts projects engage UH students in classes, residencies, practicums, and hands-on product development.
From 2013-2015 the BAD program provided UH art and design students with the unique opportunity to design objects/gifts for sale in the Blaffer Art Museum lobby. The grant to Museum Director Steven Matijcio and Museum Administrator Colleen Maynard revived the program. Students enrolled in six spring 2020 courses in industrial design, graphic design, and printmaking created prototypes of items that could be sold in the Blaffer Museum Shop as a hybrid exhibition/boutique. Student-designed products went on sale in 2023.
This collaboration between the School of Art and FotoFest, led by Delilah Montoya, imbedded students in the day-to-day operations of the internationally renowned Houston-based arts organization. Students gained practical experience of portfolio review, grant and prize competitions, and the construction and promotion of exhibitions. Students also submitted grant, prize or residency applications to external organizations and created a mock exhibition based on artists in FotoFest's exhibition.
This grant to Dustin Gish (Honors College) supported student-led Art Walks. Students developed the walk itineraries and scripts in consultation with staff from UH System Public Art and faculty from the Honors College and Department of Art History. Walks were offered as an activity during new student orientations n the summer of 2019 and continued to be offered during the fall.
The Public Art Student Ambassadors (PASA) program, established by Lauren Cross, Dr. Maria Gaztambide, Dr. Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal, Katherine Veneman, Dr. Rex Koontz, and Dr. Sandra Zalman, provided undergraduate students the opportunity to develop public art tours and incorporate “Brain on Art” research conducted by the BRAIN Center in the Cullen College of Engineering.
Led by David Politzer and Sixto Wagan SoA CAMP placed UH School of Art students in assistantship positions with Houston artists, designers, and scholars. The assistantships expanded professional horizons for students, embedding them in the daily workings of practicing artist/mentors and creating a mentored introduction into professional networks that would serve the students post-graduation.
This project, led by Sixto Wagan and Rick Lowe, placed three students selected by College of the Arts faculty in six-week studio residencies at Project Row Houses.
This grant to Texas Music Festival Director Alan Austin (Strings) provided scholarships for UH undergraduates participating in the Texas Music Festival.
The Undergraduate Summer Teaching Artist (STA) Fellowship program led by Evan Leslie provides a select team of McGovern College of the Arts (KGMCA) students with real-world experience teaching, leading, and performing during two intensive high school summer learning experiences: the inaugural UH High School Artist Academy and the Mexica Mariachi Festival. STAs will observe experienced educators create lesson plans and facilitate group learning activities about art, music, storytelling, wellness, and other topics. Paired with UH faculty, STAs will work collaboratively instructing high school students in music and art making.