Creative Writing

The University of Iowa's prestigious Writers' Workshop offers workshops and readings in fiction and poetry. Graduate writers are gifted poets and writers from one of the most highly regarded programs in the country. Poets and writers frequently visit schools and communities throughout Iowa. These talented writers are available for public readings, writing workshops for students of all ages, literary festivals, panel discussions, and more.

Also available through Arts Share are writers from the International Writing Program (IWP). Writers worldwide attend IWP's residency in the fall, which consists of poets, fiction and non-fiction writers, and dramatists, all of whom are published authors. Arts Share is now collaborating with the Translation Program to offer an exciting workshop with no foreign language knowledge required!

Dance

Individual dancers and dance ensembles will inspire interactive performances, lecture demonstrations, and workshops. UI faculty, staff, and graduate student dancers represent a variety of dance styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop.

Bring the energy of dance to your school and community! Arts Share can teach dance to students of all levels, with performances and masterclasses available. Arts Share has brought dance programming to elementary schools, colleges, performance venues, and dance schools. One of the highlights each year is UI Dance Company’s spring tour. Approximately twelve undergraduate and graduate students tour Iowa and the Midwest from February to June each year, offering live concerts, workshops, and lecture demonstrations for audiences of all ages.

UI Dance Company, formerly Dancers in Company, is the premier dance company of the University of Iowa Department of Dance.

Music

Individual musicians and ensembles are available for interactive performances and workshops. From jazz to classical, we have performers representing various genres and music worldwide.

Music ensembles and solo artists offer educational and entertaining performances, workshops, and masterclasses.

Whether you are interested in introducing music from another part of the world or a particular genre, we have the artist for you!

Each May Arts Share schedules tours around the state for the Iowa Percussion Ensemble and the Chamber Music Groups. These performances are audience favorites and are educational and entertaining for all ages.

Theatre

Our theatre artists offer interactive workshops, performances, and presentations for schools and organizations. Through participation and discussion, audiences learn about different elements of theatre while learning how to apply the lessons and skills to their own lives and activities.

Theatre artists can teach workshops in everything from basic acting and improvisation to set design and lighting. Each year, the Department of Theatre Arts also programs a series of plays and offers interactive performances addressing various social issues.

Darwin Turner Action Theatre (DTAT) is back by popular demand, the social outreach component for the Department of Theatre Arts. Its mission is to promote knowledge and understanding of people of different backgrounds. DTAT is culturally and socially inclusive, reflecting the growing diversity of our state and country. It presents dynamic, thought-provoking pieces of theatre for social and cultural awareness.

Arts Share hosts an annual High School Theatre Workshop & Performance Day once a year. High School students come from all over the state to see a live matinee performance at the University of Iowa theatre building and participate in workshops in acting, playwriting, and design taught by UI graduate students.

Visual Arts

Talented visual artists will work with students of all ages in creating a unique process and exciting products. Workshops are in a variety of media representing art from all over the world.

Graduate students, faculty, and staff from UI’s School of Art & Art History are experts in their fields. These artists represent the best in their areas and are available for workshops, artist talks, and performances. Artists will tailor their workshops to meet your needs. Arts Share works closely with the Grant Wood Art Colony, which provides artist fellowships in Painting & Drawing, Printmaking, and Interdisciplinary Performance each year.

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