UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012 - (Page 48)

Town & Gown continued from page 47 said Keffler, “It’s on the 2030 plan.” So, DART and the North Central Texas Council of Governments are looking for long-term investors to fund the rail line and development sooner. “They’ve sent out a request for proposal to corporations and organizations that they know are interested in transportation funding,” said Keffler. Enhanced transportation might also help UT Dallas attract visitors from surrounding communities to take part in arts programming. At the moment, UT Dallas’ performance venues include a 200-seat performance hall, a 300-seat theater, and the 500-seat Alexander L. Clark Center Auditorium, but in 2013, a 1,200-seat lecture hall will be opened as part of an arts and technology complex currently under construction said Dennis Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. “Back in ’93, ’94, we started a concerted effort to bring people on campus by pushing artistic events,” he said. The turning point, was in 1999, when the school hosted the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, which sold out the Clark Center Auditorium. In conjunction with that, UT Dallas sponsored a black-tie Russian-themed party at the Omni Richardson, featuring ice sculptures and vodka. “There are great opportunities as UT Dallas becomes increasingly seen as both an artistic and intellectual magnet,” Kratz said. “We can create opportunity for the surrounding communities, which have exactly the population base you want: well-educated, well-read, with good taste, and close to you.” In the 2010-11 season, visual and performing arts events attracted approximately 6,000 non-students to campus. The School of Arts and Humanities also partners with the Charles W. Eisemann Center on an annual artists residency program. The school contributes to the cost of bringing in the performers and the partnership brings to campus performers UT Dallas could not otherwise afford to give workshops and master classes on campus. Bruce MacPherson, director of the city-owned Eisemann Center, said the program, which he and Kratz dreamed up over lunch one day, has been more successful than expected. “The last few years, the City of Richardson provided funds back to the University to be put towards their scholarship programs for the various disciplines,” including dance and music, he said. for UT Dallas’ gig. Kratz hopes to engage even more high school students in the residency program over time. “We love it because it makes us part of the city,” he said. The days of UT Dallas hiding behind a tall grass prairie are over—banners along surrounding streets announce its presence to passers-by. Local businesses tout their school spirit, with Fuzzy’s and Sonny Bryan’s displaying UT Dallas sports jerseys as décor, and many offering “Comet Card” discounts. Richardson will never be a college burg—it’s too sophisticated for that. But it is UTD’s home, and the partnership between the city and UT Dallas has only grown stronger over the years. Here’s to a long and happy union. The residency program obviously benefits UT Dallas students, but it also helps the Eisemann Center, said MacPherson. “In most cases the University opens workshops and other activities to outsiders and student groups from high schools and other colleges.” And artists often perform at other schools. For example, in 2009, The Lily Cai Dancers included the Booker T. Washington School for the Visual Performing Arts in Dallas as well as other area schools after being booked THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS 48 utdallas.edu http://www.utdallas.edu

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012

UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012
Contents
On Campus
From the Lab
Arts and Culture
Courtside Success
Athletics
Research Is Teaching
Town and Gown
In Your Footsteps: An Alumni Perspective
Alumni Notes
In Memoriam
Hindsight

UT Dallas Magazine - Winter 2012