Dean's Message

Dear friends,

Welcome to the 2024-25 season at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA)! I am delighted to share with you our exciting lineup of performances, exhibitions and new initiatives. Leading such a vibrant and diverse community of artists, scholars and creative thinkers is a profound privilege. I am continually inspired by the innovation and dedication that fuel CTSA as the creative engine of UC Irvine, the heart and soul of the university’s research priority on the human experience.

Our academic community is where creativity flourishes, boundaries are challenged and the power of research and collaboration illuminates new horizons. This season, we continue our commitment to creating interdisciplinary connections with the launch of our “Arts &” campaign, which underscores the symbiotic relationship between creative expression and scholarly research. By focusing on the intersections of the arts with the sciences, on matters of identity and belonging, and innovations in sustainability, we aim to demonstrate how each discipline within our school contributes to the broader academic and creative community.

We are thrilled to present a rich array of artistic experiences that reflect the depth and diversity of our programs. From the empowering narrative of 9 to 5: The Musical to the innovative choreography in Dance Visions 2025 and the vocal impact of Finding the Light: Alzheimer Stories featuring the UCI Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, our performances promise to captivate and inspire. Additionally, our art exhibitions, including the much-anticipated Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Uncertainty, supported through the Getty’s 2024 Pacific Standard Time iteration, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, will offer thought-provoking insights into the intersections of art, science and technology.

At CTSA, we believe that the arts are more than just a form of expression — they are a powerful catalyst for research and creative activity, fueling growth, dialogue and transformation. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and dedication to our community. Your generosity of spirit allows us to cultivate an academic environment where students are not just learning but actively launching into the arts. Through their coursework, internships and unique opportunities with our campus collaborations and community partnerships, they are forging their paths as creative leaders. Our mission is to empower them to further these experiences into the world, where they will continue to innovate, inspire and redefine artistic boundaries as they launch their careers and contribute to the arts on a larger stage.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you and witnessing the incredible works, collaborations and discoveries that await us in the months ahead. Together, let us continue to celebrate the transformative power of the arts at UC Irvine. To our connecting at the season ahead!

Tiffany Ana López, Ph.D. Claire Trevor Dean of the Arts