Browsing by Subject "Fine arts"
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Item The 5th wall project : projection design applications for transforming education and medical spaces for youth communities(2015-05) Lord, Patrick William; Ortel, Sven; Alrutz, MeganThis paper and project explore how creative applications of existing design and technology can provide a unique service for children anywhere. This project fuses that technology with a belief that youth communities in education and medical spaces deserve access to artistic experiences. By devising original, immersive story performances with two classes from local Austin schools, The 5th Wall Project has begun to develop a process that facilitates educational engagement, and exposes students to design and art where they live and learn. The intention of this project is to continue beyond the performances and residencies completed and documented in this paper. Future applications, such as the installation of this model into pediatric patient rooms is a primary goal of the project that has yet to be explored, but is an integral motivator in the aforementioned investigation of our process.Item Artists for life: a proposal to increase the retention of first-year undergraduate students in the Texas Tech University Department of Theatre and Dance(2007-05) Scheckel, Beth; Adair, Aaron; Durham, GenevieveWhy do students abandon theatre or dance programs within or shortly after their first year of college? How does a department identify the factors that keep undergraduate students in the same major throughout their college careers? Once these factors are identified, how does a department implement improved strategies for retaining its students? How can a department, in conjunction with the university, best support undergraduate students to achieve a balance of success in academics, extracurricular activities, and personal matters? I propose a program for the Texas Tech University Department of Theatre and Dance that will improve the retention of its first-year undergraduate majors through increased student knowledge of department policies and procedures; increased support from faculty, staff, and successful majors; and increased awareness and access of campus resources.Item Bridging theatre and visual art : the role of an applied theatre practitioner in a fine art museum(2011-05) Genshaft, Lindsay Michelle; Alrutz, Megan; Dawson, Kathryn; Garner, JenniferThis thesis document details the theoretical and practical implications of using theatrical techniques and drama-based instruction in the visual art museum setting. Presented are four diverse museum theatre programs created and implemented at The Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas at Austin. These programs support the argument that drama-based instruction and theatrical techniques can help deepen and/or complicate the notion of visitor engagement in a visual art museum. The theoretical underpinnings of museum theatre are investigated by examining elements of applied theatre and museum learning and the progressive education theory which shapes their practice. The belief is put forth that creative participation in museum education is essential for personal and critical connection with visual art. Theatre is a dynamic and powerful tool to support this creative participation. Findings include recommendations for utilizing museum theatre programming implemented by an applied theatre practitioner as it promotes the use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, engages the senses, and stimulates meaningful dialogue.Item Playing in the middle : the value of the arts in middle level education(2014-05) Hearn, Lindsay Michelle; Alrutz, MeganIn 2012, the Austin Independent School District implemented a ten-year Creative Learning Initiative to develop every school in the district into an arts rich school. However, research on arts richness presents varied descriptions of what an arts rich school looks like and lacks student voices. This MFA Thesis documents an applied project utilizing an arts based research process to explore student beliefs about the value of the arts and arts richness at the middle school level. In the document, I analyze student beliefs about the value of the arts through modified grounded theory from a data set including a performance, a playscript, group discussions, surveys, and my personal field notes and reflections. I find that the students share a similar understanding with published research of overall categories describing arts richness, including quantity of arts opportunities, quality of artistic and educational programs, and school climate. They deepen the perspective researchers present on school climate in arts rich schools, offering specific ways in which the arts invite a positive school climate. I conclude the document with reflections on defining arts richness, the arts based research process, and areas for further consideration as schools move toward creative learning for the 21st century.