GovState partners with Art Institute of Chicago
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Looking for more opportunities to get his students engaged with art beyond the University, Governors State University (GovState) adjunct faculty member Woodman Taylor’s first thought was of the Art Institute of Chicago.
By chance, he discovered the Art Institute’s University Partnership Program while working on his plan to bring students to the museum.
“Seeing that other regional colleges and universities were part of this program, which facilitates bringing students to view and study their art collections, I immediately thought, this is exactly the enriching educational experience that all GovState students need access to,” said Taylor, who teaches in the Division of Arts and Letters.
With the help of Associate Professor Rebecca Siefert, Taylor’s proposal for the Art Institute partnership was approved for funding by the Office of the Provost.
“We were overjoyed when the Provost’s Office agreed to fund it,” said Siefert. “So many students and faculty use this world-renowned resource for their classes and now we [GovState] can take advantage of our access to the collection in so many more ways.”
Taylor has already taken some students to the museum using the partnership benefits. “When some of my students found out about GovState’s participation in the program, they were eager to jump on the train for a visit that very weekend!”
“To me that seems like the beginning of a desire to include arts in their continuing educational journey, if not beyond,” said Taylor.
While GovState just had its first University Night on November 7 at the Art Institute to celebrate the partnership, there’s still more on the horizon.
“We are working to get the most out of it [the partnership] in the coming year by planning to team up with other faculty and student groups,” said Siefert.
Taylor added that students will have the chance to meet with cohorts from leading colleges and universities throughout the Chicagoland area during the museum’s annual open house for University Partnership institutions.
“We are both extremely excited to have as many students, faculty, and staff as possible directly engage with outstanding art at the museum through our new partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago,” said Taylor.
As a University Partner, GovState receives free admission for all undergraduate students (with valid university ID), 50% off for faculty and staff, invitation to the annual University Partner Fest in February, two exclusive University Nights per academic year, concierge service for planned class or group visits to the museum, and a 10% discount on first-time memberships for students, staff, and faculty.
