Faculty of Arts Building - FAB Fest success
Thank you to everyone who came to the official opening of the Faculty of Arts Building. and subsequent FAB Fest celebration on Friday 20 May.
The afternoon was a wonderful example of engagement and creativity as we celebrated all that is unique about the arts at Warwick and establishing our commitment to raising the profile of arts in our community and making it accessible to new audiences.
The building was alive with activity with events delivered by academic staff, students, alumni and guest artists, speakers and practitioners. A huge thank you to everyone involved.
There was something for everyone. Workshop leaders commented on how engaged participants were. The singing sessions inspired first time singers to join a university singing group. Similarly, others who hadn’t played a musical instrument previously, left the ukulele workshops able to play a tune. It was also a fabulous platform on which student societies could showcase their talent and for members of the public to have access to the heart of arts at Warwick by attending events, performances and talks.
Chris Ennew, Provost, shared her thoughts on the event.
“I wanted to formally congratulate everyone involved on a fantastic event on Friday, as I know that there was a huge amount of work involved in making it all happen. There was such a great feel to the occasion – a real buzz – and so much going on. All of the guests I spoke to were thoroughly impressed – both with the building itself but also with the nature of the event. I think the team behind the event’s organisation got it just right!”
“David Coates, who was instrumental in the event’s organisation said:
“FAB Fest was the result of collaboration, investment and commitment from colleagues across the institution. The planning involved Faculty of Arts staff, colleagues from professional services and CCSG, as well as the SU, students, alumni, and external organisations and artists. Those involved shared a belief in the value of creativity and the arts in our society, and gave time, energy and a great deal of enthusiasm to help to make this event happen in a very short space of time.
"The events on offer on the day ranged from student performances and student-led activities, the outputs from staff research, workshops from practitioners and artists, and activities from colleagues beyond the Faculty – including the Library, the Modern Records Centre, the Music Centre and many more. FAB Fest and the opening of our new building was created for and by the whole campus community – and that’s what made it special for me. The day looked back and celebrated our Faculty’s history and looked forward to its bright future.”