As Programming Director it’s my job to work with UAB Administration, ASC boards, and our staff to pinpoint the best artists to fill our season and to design a diverse and exciting lineup of not just performers but also innovative, educational, and entertaining events. We receive hundreds of artist suggestions each year (thank you for your suggestions!) and an array of artists spanning many genres are considered. The whole process of putting a season together takes about 10 months.
It’s hard to believe but the ASC turns 14 this year. Do you remember life in Birmingham before the ASC? As a life-long live music lover, I’ve always attended shows at Birmingham’s great venues: Alabama Theatre, 5 Pts Music Hall, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre … I love all of these places. But when the ASC opened it filled a niche that Birmingham desperately needed to serve. It’s not just a place to see performances (in an incredible acoustical setting), it’s also a place to really learn about the arts and engage in the creative process.
As we’re entering our teenage years, we’ve been asking ourselves the big questions. What is the mission of the ASC? What purpose should performing arts center serve in the community and in relation to fellow arts organizations? How can we better foster arts education? What do the arts say about our community?
Asking these questions has allowed us to introduce many innovative new programs and initiatives for this new season. Here are some things you’ll notice:
· We’re presenting fun, new festivals three times this season. Beginning with an 11 Day Opening Festival that includes a rare performance by music legend Liza Minnelli. Next, we explore global arts & culture with the World on Stage Festival. In the Spring, we celebrate women in the arts with the Women Rock Festival.
· We’re exploring new artistic genres including Living Art. You’ll experience three presentations of Living Art - Mass Ensemble, the Mystical Arts of Tibet, and the School Sculpture Residency Project. Each company will be in residence for seven days creating and demonstrating large-scale, dynamic works of art for the entire community to share and enjoy.
· In early 2011, we will embark on the largest arts education endeavor in our history. The ASC’s “Arts in Action” Education & Outreach Program will blossom with the opening of a brand new arts education institute allowing us to serve the Southeast as a leader in arts education. You’ll also notice a greater emphasis on arts education for all ages in partnership with our presented programming. These range from master classes and mentoring programs to workshops for students and educators. Over the course of the season, thousands of area students and adults will engage in artistic programs offered by the ASC, many free of charge.
· To further support our partner organizations in the arts community, we have shifted our programming focus from presenting a full classical series to presenting artists who blur the lines between high art and pop culture. We hope you will find that the season offers artistic endeavors that bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to explore and celebrate the arts. You will also notice many more free community events and interactive programs and performances as well as the introduction of year-round programming with an exciting new Summer Series.
· We’ve heard you! We know that having the nine+ different series in the past made it confusing to figure out the best way to purchase a season package. So, we’ve SIMPLIFIED! Instead of choosing between several different series, this season you simply choose the performances you would like to attend with the It’s Your Choice package and you automatically are a subscriber with all the same great discounts and benefits. Easy, peasy.
To see the full season lineup, click here and please feel free to send me your suggestions for artists and events, jesssimpson@uab.edu.
We hope to see you this Thursday night at our very first LIVE ON THE PLAZA event featuring Grammy winning zydeco artist Terrance Simien!
Jessica Simpson
Director of Programming & Marketing
Alys Stephens Center
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