Arts Advocacy Council

Council Description

The arts possess the powerful ability to form our intimate selves, transform public belief, compel impactful action, propel social change, enrich and even save lives. For over 50 years, the UCSC Arts Division addresses the most pressing issues of our day including climate change, environmental justice, heterosexism, racism and sexism, disability issues, and economic inequality in ways unique to the university. We train the next generation in the powerful methods of arts production and scholarship.

The Arts Advocacy Council is composed of visionary leaders in society who believe in the mission of UCSC and the Arts in particular, to amplify our shared goals. Representing various fields in the Arts from art, film and digital/new media, art history and visual culture, music, performance, dance, games, play and design, Arts Advocates offer specialized advice to the Dean as they ambassador our aspirations and ambitions.

The Dean is establishing the council so we may collaborate with leaders on amplifying the Arts at UCSC and to garner their support to ensure we are at the forefront of the change that we need in creative industries.

The Dean consults and confers with the Council as she develops and shares her vision for the Arts. Two annual events bring our council members to the campus to meet faculty, staff and students in think tank salons. Here we gather to focus on a particular issue in the arts in order to launch an impactful assertion of UCSC Arts’ efforts and latest and greatest contributions that shape national and international culture and understanding. Council members will meet members of the campus community including its leaders, faculty, staff and students who embody the mission of the university in order to think together.

Dean Celine Parreñas Shimizu

UCSC Arts Division