UMBC's Student-Led Art Initiatives: Fostering Creativity and Inclusive Excellence
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has a robust and evolving engagement with the arts, extending its reach beyond campus to impact younger students and embedding artistic expression within the very fabric of its student life. Through various programs and initiatives, UMBC demonstrates a profound commitment to arts education, curatorial practice, and the visual representation of its core values, particularly inclusive excellence. These endeavors, often driven by student leadership and faculty innovation, create dynamic learning environments and foster a vibrant campus culture.
Cultivating Young Artists: The Library Gallery's Outreach Program
In 2019, the UMBC Library Gallery received crucial funding from UMBC’s Charlesmead Initiative. This financial support was instrumental in the creation of an arts education program specifically designed for K-8 Baltimore City youth. This initiative aimed to bridge the university's artistic resources with the broader community, offering enriching experiences to younger students.
During the spring 2019 semester, the program successfully engaged 90 students from Liberty Elementary and Frederick Elementary schools. These young visitors were treated to an interactive tour of the exhibition "Antonio McAfee: Through the Layers, Pt. 2." The tour was expertly led by the gallery curators, who tailored the experience to be both educational and engaging for the students. A highlight of the visit was the opportunity for students to don 3D glasses, allowing them to experience Antonio McAfee's work in a unique and immersive way. They were also introduced to rare nineteenth-century photographs drawn from UMBC’s Special Collections. These historical images served as the foundational material that the artist skillfully manipulates in his contemporary digital photographs, offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of artistic practice. To solidify their learning and creativity, the students engaged in a hands-on activity, creating their own collage portraits to take home as a tangible memento of their visit. Unfortunately, the program’s momentum was disrupted by the unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19, leading to the cancellation of the final two class visits that had been scheduled for March and April.
Honoring Visionaries: The Legacy of Dr. Maurice Berger
The university community also mourns the loss of Dr. Maurice Berger, a profoundly influential figure in the art world. Dr. Berger was a visionary curator, a dedicated scholar, and a passionate advocate for social justice. His association with UMBC was significant; he served as chief curator and research professor at the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC). His tenure concluded tragically with his death from COVID-19 in March 2020. Dr. Berger's work consistently challenged conventional perspectives and championed underrepresented voices, leaving an indelible mark on the field of curatorial studies and beyond. His contributions are remembered and celebrated within the UMBC community.
Visualizing Inclusive Excellence: A Student-Driven Art Initiative
In the fall of 2024, a significant collaborative effort was initiated to visually manifest UMBC's core value of inclusive excellence. Adjunct Professor of Graphic Design, Katie Heater, who is herself an alumna of UMBC with degrees in Visual Arts and Imaging and Digital Arts, was approached by Dr. Renique Kersh, the vice president for student affairs. Dr. Kersh proposed a collaboration focused on highlighting and promoting UMBC’s commitment to inclusive excellence through visual art. The specific aim was to explore how this fundamental value could be visually represented in several key locations within The Commons, a building recognized as a central hub for student life and activity. Crucially, the vision was to interpret this value "through the eyes of UMBC students," ensuring that the artwork would resonate with and reflect the student experience.
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In response to this compelling invitation, Professor Heater ingeniously integrated the project into her spring 2025 Professional Practices in Graphic Design course. This senior/junior-level seminar and studio class is designed to provide students with invaluable opportunities to apply design thinking methodologies while simultaneously acquiring essential professional skills and gaining practical, client-facing experience. The pedagogical approach ensured that the project served a dual purpose: fulfilling an academic curriculum requirement and delivering tangible artistic outcomes for the university.
Over the course of several weeks, the students in Professor Heater's class were strategically divided into three distinct design teams. Each team was empowered with a designated creative lead, fostering leadership and collaborative decision-making. The mandate for each group was to develop a comprehensive visual language, create compelling mockups, and conceptualize the processes necessary for the creation of site-specific artworks. These artworks were intended to be permanently installed in specific locations within The Commons, thereby becoming integral elements of the building's aesthetic and communicative landscape. The students were tasked not only with conceptualizing the art but also with considering the practicalities of its execution and installation.
Following an intensive period of research, ideation, and design development, the student teams formally presented their proposals to Dr. Kersh and other relevant stakeholders. The expectation was that a single artwork would be selected for realization. However, the quality and innovative nature of the student proposals were so exceptional that a remarkable outcome ensued. A version of all three student-led initiatives received the approval to move forward. This decision meant that not one, but three distinct artworks, each reflecting a unique student interpretation of inclusive excellence, would become prominent installations in different sections of The Commons. This outcome underscored the success of the project in not only fulfilling Dr. Kersh's vision but also in exceeding expectations, showcasing the immense talent and thoughtful engagement of UMBC's student body.
Student Performance and Community Engagement
Beyond curated exhibitions and permanent installations, UMBC students are actively involved in dynamic artistic performances that enrich the campus cultural scene. For instance, McCoy Chance, a student in the Imaging and Digital Arts (IMDA) program, led a group performance titled “The Dead, The Living, and the Injured.” This powerful work was presented as part of the 2025 MFA Thesis Exhibition, providing a platform for emerging artists to share their creative visions and engage with complex themes.
Furthermore, UMBC's commitment to community outreach extends to collaborations with local high schools. Students from Perry Hall High School have visited the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC). During these visits, under the expert guidance of curator Sandra Abbott, they have had the opportunity to engage in hands-on artistic creation, producing vibrant collage artworks. These interactions serve to demystify the university art environment for younger students and foster an appreciation for artistic processes and techniques.
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tags: #student #led #gallery #umbc
