William Center targets students
Stacey Goldberg
Issue date: 9/11/09 Section: A&E
National interest in the high arts is at an all-time low. Further exacerbated by the recent economic downturn, numerous opera and theater companies across the country have closed due the lack of sufficient funding. Even larger organizations such as the New York City Opera Company, are beginning to feel the effects of the economy. Yet as public concern, and almost as important, financial backing for the arts continue to dwindle, the Williams Art Center boast increased student attendance to recent preformances.
"Last year, 31.8 percent of our audiences were students - a very high percentage at
college [or] university performing arts centers comparable to ours," says Ellis Finger, director of the Williams Arts Center.
While these numbers are impressive, especially given Lafayette's relatively small size, the Williams Art Center is always looking to improve them. Recently, they have begun marketing new strategies to get students to performances. Resident Advisor and student performer Naomi Itescu has taken notice to a new implementation which requires that certain floor programs have themes of "culture and the arts," along with the other mandatory programs required for each month. Still, Itescu said she believes number the students attending such events are there to support friends or are required to go for a class assignment.
"As incentive to get students to attend events at the WAC, we try to advertise free food before and after certain arts events to get our residents and friends to go to attend," said Itescu. "It's hard to motivate students to go sometimes because a lot of Lafayette students are here for their academics or sports and don't see the arts as an important part of their time on campus."
Students agree that attendance may fluctuate based on students' daily plans and desires. With evening classes and social obligations, it is understandable that taking the time to go and see a performance is not always the students' first choice.
"Last year, 31.8 percent of our audiences were students - a very high percentage at
college [or] university performing arts centers comparable to ours," says Ellis Finger, director of the Williams Arts Center.
While these numbers are impressive, especially given Lafayette's relatively small size, the Williams Art Center is always looking to improve them. Recently, they have begun marketing new strategies to get students to performances. Resident Advisor and student performer Naomi Itescu has taken notice to a new implementation which requires that certain floor programs have themes of "culture and the arts," along with the other mandatory programs required for each month. Still, Itescu said she believes number the students attending such events are there to support friends or are required to go for a class assignment.
"As incentive to get students to attend events at the WAC, we try to advertise free food before and after certain arts events to get our residents and friends to go to attend," said Itescu. "It's hard to motivate students to go sometimes because a lot of Lafayette students are here for their academics or sports and don't see the arts as an important part of their time on campus."
Students agree that attendance may fluctuate based on students' daily plans and desires. With evening classes and social obligations, it is understandable that taking the time to go and see a performance is not always the students' first choice.
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