Become a donor and connect in a deeper way. Support from donors provides life-changing opportunities for our community and our students and supports artists in their work. And, your gift will change your own life, too.
Artist residencies promote deeper engagement beyond performances for University of Maryland students and our broader community. The Center has undertaken a variety of residencies spanning anywhere from one day, to several weeks or a year or more. This season, Dan Hurlin held a workshop with UM Department of Theatre students exploring manipulation techniques in Bunraku-style puppetry, while examining ways in which the puppet’s movements can be expressive, recognizable and eloquent. David Olson, a junior in the Theatre department says of the experience, “working with Dan and his colleagues was a delight! It allowed us to examine movement, space and storytelling. Opportunities like these are what make the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center one of the best places to study theatre.”
Mathematics professors Denny and Frances Gulick have been donors to the performing arts at Maryland since the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center opened in 2001. The Gulicks define themselves as music lovers but enjoy dance and theatre as well. From the Center’s myriad offerings each year on Maryland Day to performances by visiting artists and students, Denny and Frances value the Center’s commitment to academic and community engagement and are proud of its reputation as a leading performing arts center on a college campus. “We feel it’s important to support the Clarice Smith Center and the training of our students who will transform the stages of tomorrow. We support excellence and this can be found behind any door at the Center. Each time we attend a performance we are very pleased to be financial supporters. It’s easy to give — and it brings big rewards to the university community!”
One of the purposes of a great university is to contribute to the store of human knowledge; by commissioning new work, we make that contribution. Our primary interest in supporting new work lies in illuminating the creative process for our communities. This requires ongoing two-way communication between the Center and the artist, which we use to find ways to bring the public into the process. Artists with whom we partner share our desire to increase engagement between the public and artists, so commissioning creates a foundation for extended residencies and learning opportunities.
“We support excellence and this can be found behind any door at the Center.”
Denny and Frances Gulick DENNY AND FRANCES GULICK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DAN HURLIN RESIDENCY; DENNY AND FRANCES GULICK WITH SCHOOL OF MUSIC DIRECTOR ROBERT GIBSON PHOTO BY MIKE MORGAN. PHOTO OF KRONOS QUARTET AND WU MAN, A CHINESE HOME, BY JAY BLAKESBERG
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