News Archive
Marching Illini Breaking Ground for New Instructional Tower
On September 9, ground will be broken for the Ronald and Paula Filler Marching Illini Instructional Tower.
FAA Alumna and Donor Sheila C. Johnson Opens Luxury Hotel in New Orleans
Alumna Sheila C. Johnson, the founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, presided over the grand opening of the NOPSI Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Illinois Ensemble Takes Two Competitions
As the winners of two competitions, the Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble will perform in Virginia and California.
Uncorked and On Topic Resumes February 2
Amy Powell of Krannert Art Museum and Ryan Griffis from the School of Art and Design will engage in an informal conversation.
Melissa Pokorny Wins Fellowship
Pokorny was awarded the 2017 IPRH-Ragdale Residential Creative Fellowship and will conduct research at the Ragdale artists' community.
Next Uncorked and On Topic Is November 17
Cynthia Oliver of Dance at Illinois and Andrew Greenlee of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning will discuss geographic issues.
Krannert Art Museum to Reopen November 17 after Green Renovations
Upgrades to the main level include installation of an LED system to save energy and costs for lighting, healting, and cooling.
Student Team Wins CoreNet Academic Challenge
Students from FAA and the College of Business applied their college experiences to create a solution for a real-world business problem in this global competition.
Landscape Architect Mary Pat McGuire Envisions Solutions for Chicago's Flooding
Through a mapping project she hopes to identify areas where natural formations can be used in less costly flooding abatement measures.
Deke Weaver Honored with an ACE Award
This recognition of achievement in the arts in Champaign County is given by 40 North | 88 West.
Student Design Team Competes at SOFA Chicago
The CONNECT competition showcases installations of lighting and seating that are intended to be respites for attendees.
Architecture's Lynne Dearborn Earns Grant to Study Affordable Housing Policies
Policies for Action awarded Dearborn and principal investigator Sherry Ahrentzen of the University of Florida a $248,250 grant to assess the effects of low-income housing tax credits on the design and construction of healthier residences.
Uncorked and On Topic Returns on October 20
Abby Zbikowski of Dance at Illinois and Donna Buchanan of the School of Music will reflect on cultural and geographical identity.
Alumnus Tom Siebel Funds Design Center
A $25 million donation will help launch the Siebel Center for Design.
Architecture Program Earns High Rankings
The Master of Architecture program is ranked 25 in the nation and in the top 10 among public research institutions.
"Spellbinding" Jennifer Monson Lauded in the New York Times
Jennifer Monson's "extraordinary" abilities to shape-shift and improvise in her dance in tow receive acclaim.
Krannert Art Museum Earns Grant for Swahili Arts Exhibition
Co-curators Allyson Purpura and Prita Meier will mount World on the Horizon: Swahili Arts across the Indian Ocean in fall 2017 at Krannert Art Museum.
Ben Grosser's Research on Technology Highlighted
Grosser's work on the portrayals of technology on film and human-technology interactions were featured in the media.
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Alumna Jeanne Gang's Vista Tower
When completed in 2019, Vista Tower will be one of Chicago's tallest structures.
Architecture Students Survey Schweikher House
Paul Schweikher's home and studio in Schaumburg, Illinois, is on the National Register of Historic Places and will be documented for the Historic American Buildings Survey.
Krannert Center's Lighting Gets Greener
A new LED system will save $45,000 a year in energy costs, generate less heat and noise, and require less maintenance than incandescent bulbs.
New Dance Work in Progress at Krannert Center
John Heginbotham developed a dance piece tentatively entitled The Principles of Uncertainty, which was inspired by a mixed-media book of the same name by the visual artist Maira Kalman.
Dance at Illinois Presents Flatlands Dance Film Festival August 26–27
This global film festival includes short works, A Ballerina's Tale with Misty Copeland, and winners of the 2016 competition for aspiring dance filmmakers.
Japan House Hosts Cultural Festival on August 28
Explore Japanese culture through music, bonsai, ikebana, the beauty of the tea ceremony, food, and other activities at this event for the entire family.
Deke Weaver Project to Premiere in September
BEAR will have three chapters covering the hibernation cycle through three seasons.
Krannert Center Receives $1 Million Grant
A grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will support Krannert Center's efforts to introduce students to a broad range of arts and artists.
Architecture Alumna Collaborates on Obama Presidential Center
Dina Griffin and her firm Interactive Design Architects in Chicago will join Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners on the project.
William Bullock Quoted in the Wall Street Journal
Bullock draws attention to the importance of design in reducing environmental hazards.
Kathryn Anthony Addresses Gender-Neutral Bathroom Design
Anthony notes that a design approach that creates more gender-neutral and private bathrooms will improve health and safety for everyone.
New Donald Margulies Play to Debut June 8
Long Lost, the 2016 production from The Sullivan Project, will be in Krannert Center's Studio Theatre June 8–12.
Free May 18 Film Screening and Q&A with Donald Margulies
David Margulies, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will take questions after a screening of The End of the Tour.
Students Win Cozad New Venture Competition Awards
Ryan Brown, Julie Polaski, and Andrew Simpson and the rest of their team won two awards for Corvae, a portable and wireless heart-monitoring device.
MFA Exhibition at Krannert Art Museum April 9−23
Graduate students from the School of Art and Design present their work.
Use a Phone App during Free Dance Performances April 8–9
In Interface: Critical Mass, audience members will interact with the performers through an app developed by John Toenjes.
Alumna Ellen Bailey Dickson Joins AIA College of Fellows
Dickson was selected for this prestigious honor by her peers for her excellence and achievements in the field.
Autodesk CEO to Give April 25 Lecture
Carl Bass, a star of the Maker Movement and the chief architect of AutoCAD, will help generate ideas for the Illinois Design Center.
WCIA Highlights Excitement of Discover Architecture
Lee Waldrep discusses the Illinois School of Architecture's summer program for high school students on WCIA's News at Noon.
Landscape Architects Envision Campus in 2067
A landscape architecture charrette to envision a greener Urbana-Champaign campus for 2067 was highlighted in Smile Politely.
April 14 Uncorked and On Topic Discusses Mega
Mary Pat McGuire of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Marci Uihlein of the Illinois School of Architecture focus on designing mega-sized projects.
Murphy Lab Participant/Observer Program Profiled
The Murphy Lab Participant/Observer Program connects FAA students with a chemistry research lab for interdisciplinary work.
FAA Faculty Honored for Achievements
FAA faculty members were recognized for their recent achievements at the campus-wide event Celebrating Academic Excellence.
Music Faculty Collaborate on Carnegie Hall Performance
Stephen Peterson, Donald Schleicher, and Ollie Watts Davis of the School of Music will conduct John Hersey High School students in an April 1 showcase concert.
School of Music's Recent Changes Highlighted
A News-Gazette article covers remodeling, new faculty members, changes to programs, and other recent developments within the School of Music.
Landscape Architecture Research Profiled in Chicago Magazine
William Sullivan and Dongying Li of the Department of Landscape Architecture were interviewed about their research on the effects of green views on students for Chicago magazine.
Uncorked and On Topic Examines Mastery on March 3
Patrick Earl Hammie of the School of Art and Design and Endalyn Taylor of Dance at Illinois will address the concept of mastery.
Watch My Brooklyn on February 17 and 18
Free screenings of the documentary My Brooklyn: Demystifying Gentrification by Kelly Anderson will be held at the Champaign Public Library and in Temple Hoyne Buell Hall.
Student Work Recognized at Industrial Design Competition
Jun Young Park and Rachel Fox, students in the BFA Industrial Design Program, received honorable mentions for their entries.
Register for the New Arts Business Course
Foundations of Business for FAA begins February 16.
Cynthia Oliver's Duet Praised in the Chicago Tribune
The duet BOOM! by Cynthia Oliver of Dance at Illinois and alumna Leslie Cuyjet is recognized for its perspective and humor.
Theatre's Jeffrey Eric Jenkins Skeptical about Cats Revival
The revival of the musical Cats is generating both anticipation and doubt about its relevance. Theatre's Jeffrey Eric Jenkins weighs in with his opinion.
Landscape Architecture Study Finds That Green Scenery Aids Students
Students with access to green views have improved concentration and a greater ability to recover from stress.
February 4 Uncorked and On Topic Focuses on Memory
Ollie Watts Davis of the School of Music and Jeffrey Poss of the Illinois School of Architecture will discuss the connections between memory and the arts.
Gabriel Solis Named a 2016 NEH Fellow
Gabriel Solis of the School of Music has been named a 2016 National Endowment for the Humanities fellow.
Music's Andrew Megill Featured in the News-Gazette
Read about Director of Choral Activities Andrew Megill and the Harold Decker Fund for Choral Excellence in this wide-ranging piece.
Krannert Art Museum Exhibits Student Documentaries on Inequality
Students in the course Documenting Inequality will have their films exhibited at Krannert Art Museum December 3–12.
Bernhard Scully to Perform with the Canadian Brass
Bernhard Scully, an assistant professor of horn and a member of the Canadian Brass, is profiled in the Naperville Sun.
Environmental Design Students Collaborate on Danville Project
Environmental design students were featured in a News Bureau story for their participation in Danville's Riverfront Project.
Theatre's Lisa Gaye Dixon Builds on a Tradition
Lisa Gaye Dixon stars in the Goodman Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol for a second season and reflects on her work.
Marching Illini Welcomed in New York City
The members of the Marching Illini strutted their stuff during their appearance in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Tere O'Connor Praised in the New York Times
Choreographer Tere O'Connor is acclaimed for his new work The Goodbye Studies at the Kitchen in New York City.
Marching Illini Featured in the Chicago Tribune
Members of the Marching Illini and Director Barry Houser were featured in the Chicago Tribune before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Architecture Alumni Honored with Awards
Alumna Carol Ross Barney received the 2015 Gold Medal for lifetime achievement from the American Institute of Architects Illinois, and other alumni earned 2015 Design Excellence Awards from the American Institute of Architects Chicago.
November 12 Uncorked and On Topic Addresses Mobilities
Faranak Miraftab of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and Valleri Robinson of Illinois Theatre will discuss how art, culture, and commerce are affected by movements of people.
Marc Doussard Wins Book Award
Marc Doussard has won the Paul Davidoff Book Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.
Ben Grosser to Design Jazz-Improvisation Computer System
With support from DARPA's Communicating with Computers program, Ben Grosser will investigate how jazz musicians interact and then will construct a computer system capable of improvising with human players.
Marching Illini Get Ready for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Preparations are underway for the Marching Illini to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Uncorked and On Topic Returns in October
Uncorked and On Topic returns in 2015-16 with five lively conversations featuring faculty members.
Register for the FAA Arts Exchange
Registration is now open for the FAA Arts Exchange on October 27 and 28.
Alumnus Jeffrey Breslow Holds Willis Tower Exhibition
Art and Design alumnus Jeffrey Breslow is displaying his sculptures at Willis Tower in Chicago.
Kathleen Harleman Named Acting Dean
Kathleen Harleman, the director of Krannert Art Museum, will serve as the acting dean of FAA while Edward Feser fills the roles of interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost designate for the campus.
Village Voice Highlights Fall Dance Performances
Dance at Illinois plays a major role in New York's fall dance season and in a Village Voice preview.
Guest Artist Ping Chong to Receive National Medal of Arts
Ping Chong—a guest artist with Dance at Illinois in January 2016—will receive a 2014 National Medal of Arts.
Exhibition by Nnenna Okore Runs August 28–December 23
Krannert Art Museum will host a reception at 6 p.m. on August 27 for the exhibition Nkata: An Installation by Nnenna Okore. The free exhibition will be on display from August 28 through December 23.
Olshansky Reflects on Hurricane Katrina's Aftermath
Rob Olshansky evaluates Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts 10 years since the disaster in a News Bureau feature.
Flatlands Dance Film Festival Is Slated for September
Dance at Illinois will host the Flatlands Dance Film Festival at The Art Theater Co-op on September 1, 8, and 15.
Wheelchair Voice Amplifier Project Receives Award
Deana McDonagh and Skot Wiedmann will use an Illinois Proof-of-Concept award to collaborate with Alexis Wernsing and Rachel Graddy on a wheelchair voice amplifier.
Music's Michael Silvers Earns Major Fellowship
Michael Silvers of the School of Music has been named a 2015 fellow of the American Council of Learned Societies for his project "Voices of Drought: Forró Soundscapes in Northeastern Brazil."
Dance's C. Kemal Nance Gets a Spotlight
C. Kemal Nance's dance reseach is highlighted in a lengthy News Bureau article that includes photos and a video.
County Fair Research Is the Focus of a News Bureau Interview
Alex Norr's research on county fairs is the subject of a News Bureau feature.
Architecture Programs Highlighted in Community Concierge Magazine
Illinois Architecture is the subject of an extended feature in the summer edition of Community Concierge Magazine.
Larry Gray Profiled in the Chicago Tribune
Bassist Larry Gray made the rounds of Chicago jazz spots in early June, and his wide-ranging style caught the attention of the Chicago Tribune.
Music's Larry Gray Featured on NPR
Bassist Larry Gray and the other members of a quintet led by National Endowment for the Arts Jazz MasterJack DeJohnette were profiled on NPR's "Weekend Edition Saturday."
Dance Named a Top 10 Choreography Program
Seattlepi.com selected Dance at Illinois as a top-ranked school for choreography.
Illinois School of Architecture Ranked Sixth in the Nation
According to the QS World University Rankings, the Illinois School of Architecture is sixth in the nation and 25th in the world.
Win a Scholarship in the Student Video Contest
"We Are the Arts at Illinois" is the theme for this student video competition to highlight the visual, performing, and environmental arts on campus. Prizes available are $1,000 and $500 scholarships.
Figure One Announces April Events
Figure One will host the exhibition N to Watch 2.0 and collaborate with Cream & Flutter for Luminescence in April.
Studiodance II Scheduled for April 10 and 11
Studiodance II—a showcase of works by Dance at Illinois students—will be held this year at the Armory Free Theatre at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on April 10 and 11.
April 16 Uncorked and On Topic Focuses on Public Space
Sara Bartumeus Ferré and Mike Ross discuss public space at Uncorked and On Topic on April 16.
Architecture Wins Education Award
The School of Architecture received the Education Award from the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering Chicago Mentor Program.
Register for Summer Online Courses
Register for 16 courses offered online this summer to immerse in the arts and earn general education credit.
Dance at Illinois Acclaimed at ACDA Conference
Dance at Illinois was in the spotlight at the regional meeting of the American College Dance Association. Faculty members C. Kemal Nance and Philip Johnston, undergraduate Alex Gossen, and alumnae Margi Cole and Chris Johnson had works selected for prime performances.
Lucero and Dixon Discuss Humor at March 19 Uncorked and On Topic
At the March 19 edition of Uncorked and On Topic, Jorge Lucero of the School of Art and Design and Lisa Gaye Dixon of Illinois Theatre will explore humor and its role in the classroom, the studio, the stage, and the office.
Gee Earns Charles Ives Fellowship
Erin Gee, an assistant professor of composition-theory in the School of Music, was selected for a 2015 Charles Ives Fellowship by the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
William Wegman to Give Talk on March 5
Artist William Wegman will give a free talk at Krannert Art Museum at 5:30 p.m. on March 5.
Student Places Third in International Design Competition
Austin Laniosz, a junior in the Industrial Design Program, earned third place in the International Housewares Association's Student Design Competition
World War I Symposium Coming in March
On March 10 and 11, the School of Music will host the symposium 1915: Music, Memory, and the Great War at various campus locations.
Planner Assesses Economic Impact of County Fairs
Alex Norr, a graduate student in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, found in a recent study that the state's county fairs generate jobs and income.
Lynne Dearborn and Design and Health Research Consortium Featured
Illinois scholars were recently selected as partners in the Design and Health Research Consortium, an initiative to bring together resources on the connections between well-being and the built environment, and the team led by Lynne Dearborn of the School of Architecture was the focus of a News Bureau story.
Chris Jones to Give February 18 Talk
Chris Jones, the chief theatre critic for the Chicago Tribune, will give a free talk entitled "The Critic and the Art of Theatre" on February 18 at 12:30 p.m. in Ballroom West of the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.
Sullivan, Monson Discuss Health at February 19 Uncorked and On Topic
Healthy living environments will be examined by William Sullivan of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Jennifer Monson of Dance at Illinois at the February 19 installment of Uncorked and On Topic.
ILPHA Receives Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award
The Illinois Public Housing Authority Efficient Living Program (ILPHA) was named the 2015 winner of the Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, an association of leaders in the energy field from 13 states.
Figure One Hosts Painting Is Dead?! Beginning February 6
Figure One, the research space for undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Art and Design, will launch the exhibition Painting Is Dead?! with an opening reception on February 6. Seeking to examine ideas about painting, the participating artists both display innovative practices and question painting's place in our society.
Christos Tsitsaros Named Composer of the Year
Christos Tsitsaros, a professor of piano pedagogy in the School of Music, earned the Distinguished Composer of the Year Award from the Music Teachers National Association for his composition Three Preludes for Piano Solo (A Mythical Triptych). Each year, the association selects a winner from entrants to its Commissioned Composer program for this honor.
KAM's MetaModern Exhibition Opens January 30
Works of the modernist era are reconsidered and reimagined in a new exhibition at Krannert Art Museum. Conrad Bakker, an associate professor in the School of Art and Design, contributed several paintings to the collection of pieces by more than 20 artists.
Dance at Illinois Artists Featured in the New York Times
The American Realness festival, which opened January 8 in New York City, included the theatrical premiere of Tere O'Connor's Undersweet and a work featuring alumna Michele Boulé of Dance at Illinois.
Nathan Gunn Stars in The Merry Widow at the Met
Nathan Gunn—an opera luminary and the general director of Lyric Theatre @ Illinois—ended 2014 by performing on New Year's Eve with Renée Fleming for the opening night of The Merry Widow at New York's Metropolitan Opera.
National Science Foundation Grant Goes to Heinrich Taube
Harmonia is one step closer to commercial distribution. The software created by Heinrich Taube, an associate professor and the chair of the Composition-Theory Division in the School of Music, and William Andrew Burnson allows users to compose and edit music, search and add scores, and annotate and analyze harmonic structures.
Illinois Architecture Joins Design and Health Consortium
The American Institute of Architects, the American Institute of Architects Foundation, and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture have established the Design and Health Research Consortium to explore the effects of design on health. Illinois Architecture is one of 11 architecture and public health schools named to the team.
Olshansky Named Earthquake Engineering Distinguished Lecturer
Robert Olshansky has earned the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute's Distinguished Lecture Award for 2015 and will give a presentation at the organization's annual meeting.
College of Fine + Applied Arts
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 