Mission
“Grants from the University Cultural Events Committee provide partial funding
for new or existing programs which enhance the cultural environment of
the University. Funded activities must be of interest to a significant
number of students in a given discipline or be available to the student
population in general.”
History
A university-wide committee focusing on activities in the visual and performing
arts at Western Michigan University dates back to the early 1950s when
a Festival of Arts highlighted programming each year including regularly
scheduled campus events as well as guest artists.
While Miller Auditorium was under construction in the late 1960s, the
University took steps to create its Cultural Events Committee (CEC) to
guide programming for this new facility. An advisory group originally addressed
two tasks: (1) Function in an advisory capacity to schedule and promote
an “international” concert series intended to bring the world’s most outstanding
performing artists and ensembles to Miller Auditorium; and (2) Encourage
student involvement in fine arts programming and audience development.
The CEC had a substantial annual budget at the time (approximately $26,000).
Most of these funds were used to subsidize student attendance at the new
International Concert Series. The committee retained a smaller portion
for discretionary use to support other cultural events on the campus.
Membership
Since its beginning, CEC membership has enjoyed campus-wide representation
with one or more members from each of the University’s colleges. As the
committee’s involvement in Miller Auditorium’s programming dissipated,
committee membership generally stabilized at one representative from each
of several colleges. Evolution to the committee’s mission also reduced
the budget which is presently around $11,000 annually.
Auspices
The committee serves at the pleasure of the Provost and Vice President
for Academic Affairs who provides its funds and appoints its members and
chairperson. The terms of service are indefinite, once again at the discretion
of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Contact Person
The current committee chairperson is (Mr.)
Carl Doubleday, Associate Director, School of Music, 2150 Dalton Center.
He can be reached at (269) 387-4681.
Last modified: 06-DEC-2002
Page maintained by Julie
Scrivener