ArtPower! Celebrates 10 Years of Engaging Audiences in the Arts

A dance performance by Bill Shannon will close ArtPower!’s new Wonderland at White Box series.

A soulful singer-songwriter from Mali, a dance performance inspired by stories of Brazil’s favelas and a documentary following the lives of “fruit hunters” are just a few of the exciting presentations that ArtPower! at UC San Diego has planned for this year. In its 10th anniversary season, ArtPower! continues to bring internationally renowned chamber quartets, global musicians, jazz artists, dance companies, contemporary music ensembles and film directors to perform and present on the UC San Diego campus and in the community.

Since its inception in 2004, ArtPower! has become a leading multi-arts presenter in the San Diego region, known for its dedication to audience engagement—especially student engagement.

“ArtPower! plays an important role in creating a vibrant and engaging educational experience at UC San Diego,” said Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Alan Houston. “Its programs give students, as well as members of the community, the opportunity to see, hear and even participate in some of the finest contemporary performing arts.”

Making the arts accessible to students is central to ArtPower!’s mission. To this end, the program offers reduced price tickets for UC San Diego students, beginning at $6. It also offers special matinee performances for K-12 students that are designed to introduce young students to university life, as well as to the arts.

Other engagement programs include ArtTalks!, which bring together audience and performer for creative conversations, dance master classes where UC San Diego students learn from professional dancers and choreographers, and a film practicum program that connects undergraduate mentors with film production students at High Tech High Media Arts.

“ArtPower! believes that artistic exchange is core to human development and social responsibility,” says Kathryn Martin, interim director of ArtPower! “We’re here to engage our diverse community with vibrant arts experiences that spark curiosity and to ignite dialogue between artists, students, scholars and community members.”

As part of its 10th anniversary season, ArtPower! at UC San Diego is introducing three new programs:

Wonderland at White Box

Sept. 26-28, 2013/Nov. 7-9, 2013/April 10-12, 2014

In collaboration with Jean Isaacs, director of the San Diego Dance Theater, and Yolande Snaith, choreographer and faculty member with the UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance, ArtPower! presents local, national and international artists at the White Box live arts center at Liberty Station in Point Loma. The series includes artist-to-artist exchanges, conversations and post-performance celebrations, with a finale performance by the internationally renowned Bill Shannon. A break dancer and skateboarder, Shannon was born with a rare hip defect that prevents him from standing and walking without crutches. Recognized for his determination and legendary street performances, Shannon pushes the boundaries of creative expression.

Innovator-in-Residence Project

Feb. 10, 2014

ArtPower!’s 2013-2014 Innovator-in-Residence Project connects the accomplished St. Lawrence String Quartet with UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate student composers who have a serious interest in music composition. The world-class chamber ensemble will work with students through a rigorous schedule of review and performance, helping to cultivate the next generation of talent. The project culminates with a concert on Feb. 10, when the St. Lawrence String Quartet will perform new works created by the UC San Diego student composers.

As ArtPower!’s Innovator-in-Residence, the St. Lawrence String Quartet will collaborate with UC San Diego student composers

Filmatic Festival

April 24-27, 2014

From hands-on filmmaking and crowd-sourced storytelling to karaoke jams and cinematic slams, ArtPower! is reimaging the film festival experience with its inaugural Filmatic Festival. Audiences will join local and international talent in discovering, creating and sharing films that provoke, uplift and entertain. Activities will include indoor and outdoor screenings, pop-up food tastings and competitions for movie buffs.

To maintain a dynamic, robust season of programming year after year, ArtPower! relies on donations from audience members and campus friends. Ticket sales and university funds make up less than half of the organization’s annual budget. To learn more about ArtPower! and how to become a supporter, visit the ArtPower! website.