Alfred University, NY "Drawn to Diversity" Program
Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.alfred.edu/students/involvement/drawn-to-diversity.html
Description:
Mission
The students of Alfred University aspire to build an appreciation for diversity and to champion equality by exploring various media and art forms.
Through creative exhibits and programs, Drawn to Diversity teaches history, inspires artists, cultivates dialogue and fights ignorance.
Art Force Five
The Art Force Five is Drawn to Diversity’s own super team composed of five heroes with artistic abilities. These heroes present our program sharing history and art lessons with their audience.
The team consists of:
- Graphite the Illustrator
- Zoom the Photographer
- Brushstroke the Painter
- 3-D the Sculptor
- Runway the Fashion Designer
Championing Equality
Through creative exhibits and programs, Alfred University's Drawn to Diversity program aims to “teach history, inspire artists, cultivate dialogue, and fight ignorance using popular art and media forms.”
Promoting Partnerships
In 2006, Marvel Comics and MTV provided support for AU students to explore diversity issues through comic books. The yearlong program culminated with a colorful stage show featuring students dressed in superhero costumes and detailing the history of civil rights.
In 2008, diversity jumps off the comic book pages and into the supermarket aisles as it explores the history of advertising icons such as Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima, Chiquita Banana and a dozen other famous advertising creations.
Drawn to Diversity, an Alfred University educational program, has announced plans to use advertising campaigns from various consumer products to teach history and promote equality. Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has agreed to partner with the University by allowing educational displays to be launched in its Hornell, NY market.
Overcoming Ignorance
Throughout 2007, Alfred University students presented their educational workshops to numerous elementary schools, high schools, and professional audiences.
For the first time, Drawn to Diversity will also be an academic course taught by Alfred University Director of Student Activities Dan Napolitano.