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The UI Obermann Center for Advanced Studies is reimagining its longtime Humanities Symposium as an Arts & Humanities Symposium. We want to lighten the planning and organizational work for symposia directors so that they can focus on the inspiring work of connecting with one another, sharing scholarly and creative discoveries, and experimenting with creative, interactive approaches to artistic and humanistic research. We hope that streamlined planning will open space for imaginative cross-disciplinary symposia where the humanities can deeply connect with the arts, design, politics, the health sciences, environmental studies, technology, and more.

In addition to a compelling topic, we invite co-directors to propose national and international speakers who can offer richly diverse perspectives on the symposium theme. We also want to highlight the work of UI and local experts. Continuing in the tradition of past symposia, we welcome the opportunity to help applicants include the arts, community-facing programming, and the latest pedagogical approaches to the theme, as well. To achieve these goals, we invite proposals for half- or whole-day programs featuring two to six invited speakers. We can dedicate up to $15,000 a year for this program.

Applications to direct the 2023–24 Arts & Humanities Symposium are due Oct. 26, 2022 at 5 p.m. All interested applicants are encouraged to attend this information session with Obermann Center Director Teresa Mangum.

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