The Direct Encounter with the Arts program (DEARTS) uses a direct approach to introduce students to their cultural world by guiding them through first-hand experiences in a number of areas: cinema, photography, theatre, sculpture, music, dance and architecture. Classroom discussions are held following the student’s participation in the various art events scheduled each semester.
The Direct Encounter with the Arts program is directed by Paul R. Solomon and taught by Paul Solomon and Kevin Dodd. Solomon is Associate Professor in the Frostic School of Art. Solomon is an artist working with and across all arts discipline. His deepest concentrations are in photography and writing. Kevin Dodd is a theatre director, has taught a variety of courses at WMU and also teaches at Kalamazoo College.
Many classes meet ‘on location,’ on and off campus. Examples: in the Richmond Center galleries; studios and theatres of the Departments of Theatre and Music; the School of Music; the Kalamazoo Institute for the Arts, and numerous other on and off campus locations.
In addition, classes meet 4 – 6 evenings per semester. This is a mandatory component for DEARTS. Classes attend performances of dance, theatre productions, music as well as films on these evenings. Venues may include all on –campus performance locations as well as many in downtown Kalamazoo.
