Una's School Of The Arts I2e2 Conference Set For September

Aug. 20, 2019

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 FLORENCE, AL - The University of North Alabama's School of the Arts will have its conference - Ignite. Inspire. Educate. Engage, or I2E2 - on Friday, Sept. 20. The event is focused on promoting access to the arts and arts education. "There needs to be a real conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts," said Dr. Terrance Brown, Executive Director of the School of the Arts. "No one should be held back from practicing any kind of artistic discipline because they can't afford it, the color of their skin, or become they come from a background that doesn't support it. Some are not given the opportunity to participate in the arts." The I2E2 event will include 10 presenters; four performances; three workshops, one of which is bring led by notable educator and co-founder of Shift Design Camp, Owen Foster; and a panel discussion. There is also an opportunity for ticket holders to join Emmy award-wining poet and keynote speaker Ed Mabry for dinner and a brainstorming session on diversity and inclusivity in the arts. "We have to talk about the future of the arts because where we are right now is very exclusive, and it's not inclusive, accessible, or diverse," said Monica Collier, one of the event organizers. Tickets for the I2E2 conference are $35 for adults and $10 for students. There are a limited number of $20 tickets for participants attending only the reception and performance by Ed Mabry. Registration is open and will be available until 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 20. For registration and presenter information, visit https://www.una.edu/schoolofthearts/i2e2-conference/index.html. To learn more about the vision of I2E2 and to hear candid conversations with the faculty and staff who helped organize the event, , listen to the SOTA Pop podcast at https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-w6xcx-afd1cb. About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks