Honoring Illini in the Arts
The arts are an integral part of the fabric of University of Illinois, from our notable alumni who have made a mark on the world (Ang Lee, Nick Offerman, Sheila Johnson and Roger Ebert, just to name a few) to the cultural institutions where our students and community come together to learn, create and engage with art. Today, we visit a few of the highlights, and invite you to join us virtually today for three very special live events. Plus, we’ve got your Homecoming soundtrack covered.
- Take a Virtual Tour of Krannert Art Museum
- Spotlight: The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
- Live Panel – The Performing Arts at Illinois: Staying Strong Together in the Time of COVID-19
- Virtual Cinema: Life Itself, a Documentary on Roger Ebert, and Panel Discussion
- Your Homecoming 2020 Soundtrack—Exclusive Playlists by Decades
Live Virtual Tour of Krannert Art Museum
Today at 12pm CST, join Museum Director Jon Seydl as he walks us through Krannert Art Museum’s latest exhibitions and galleries and talks about new initiatives and impactful acquisitions. Click here to join the virtual tour at 12pm CST. As Krannert Art Museum endeavors to be accessible to all, this virtual event will include closed captions via Zoom.
Spotlight: The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is the hub of the arts scene on campus. It’s both a classroom—where tomorrow’s stars gather to learn, create and perform—and a cultural touchstone within our greater Champaign-Urbana community—welcoming more than 300,000 visitors annually. Below, take a virtual walk through Krannert, and see why it is recognized as the nation’s premier university-based performing arts center.
Click the above image to view the video
Live Panel – The Performing Arts at Illinois: Staying Strong Together in the Time of COVID-19
And join us LIVE today at 3pm CST for our panel “The Performing Arts at Illinois: Staying Strong Together in the Time of COVID-19” (register here). During this live panel, members of the Performing Arts at Illinois ecosystem will discuss how they have been able to come together safely to engage in educational and artistic endeavors delivered both in person and online. Questions are encouraged! We look forward to a lively discussion.
Virtual Cinema: Life Itself, a Documentary on Roger Ebert, and Panel Discussion
In our latest installment of the Virtual Cinema Series, we honor alumnus Roger Ebert (MEDIA ’64)—world-renowned film critic, social commentator and Pulitzer Prize winner.
The UIAA has partnered with Magnolia Pictures to bring University of Illinois alumni this exclusive viewing opportunity. To purchase your rental copy of LIFE ITSELF, please click here. The film rental fee is $5.00, and a portion of film rental proceeds will benefit Roger Ebert’s Film Festival (EbertFest), held on campus each year.
And join us LIVE today at 5pm CST for a panel discussion featuring Chaz Ebert, Life Itself director Steve James, and Nate Kohn, Festival Director of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival (Ebertfest). Register here.
Other Notable Alumni You Might Recognize!
Nick Offerman (’93), Sheila Johnson (’70), Ang Lee (’80)
Your Homecoming 2020 Soundtrack—Exclusive Playlists by Decades
Get into the groove of Homecoming with our playlists by the decades, from the 1960s to now! Each decade’s playlist features bands who played shows at U of I or acts that originated right here on campus. Whether they were brought to campus by Star Course (from Nat King Cole and The Beach Boys to Janelle Monáe and T-Pain) or had late-night jam sessions in their own dorm rooms (like our Homecoming half-time show star Kevin Cronin and of REO Speedwagon), these bands had U of I rocking through the years. Get ready to crank up the volume!
