UNC News Service

CHAPEL HILL — Conversations on diasporas, migration and cultural identity are the focus of the Carolina Creative Campus program this academic year at UNC.

The program, facilitated by the Office of the Executive Director for the Arts, uses the arts as the foundation for a cross-campus conversation on a different topic each year.

The 2009-10 theme, “Diasporas,” marks the third year of the program. The first two Carolina Creative Campus themes were “Criminal Justice: The Death Penalty Examined” and last year’s “The Gender Project.”

Through collaborations with a diverse group of campus partners, “Diasporas” will explore issues of migration, identity, nationality and the politics of home across the globe. The program aims to nurture a better understanding of today’s dynamic and complex societies.

“The arts provide necessary insight into the human condition, allowing us to think critically about ourselves and those around us,” said Emil Kang, executive director for the arts. “In our increasingly globalized world, it is important that we continue to explore the issues that connect and separate us, across cultural, ethnic and geographic boundaries and it is our hope that ‘Diasporas’ facilitates this dialogue.”

The program will use the performing arts, films, lectures, exhibits, discussions and more to stimulate the year-long conversation. Discussions and events will take place throughout the academic year.

“The dialogue is grounded in the arts, but it is a multi-disciplinary discussion that extends throughout the entire university community,” said Reed Colver, director of campus and community engagement for the Office of the Executive Director for the Arts. “We look forward to an exciting year that engages partners from across campus to take part in this important and exciting conversation.”

For program updates and additions throughout the year, including additional fall semester events and collaboration opportunities, visit the program’s website at www.carolinacreativecampus.org, and its blog at http://blog.carolinacreativecampus.org. To find out how to participate, e-mail creativecampus@unc.edu.

Departments across campus will contribute to the “Diasporas” discussion. Fall semester highlights, free to the public unless otherwise noted, will include:

- Through Oct. 31, “kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa,” art exhibit; related performance at 7 p.m. Sept. 17, both at the FedEx Global Education Center at McCauley and Pittsboro streets. “Hapa,” derived from the Hawaiian word for “half,” is embraced as a term of pride by many whose mixed-race heritage includes Asian or Pacific Rim ancestry. The exhibit presents 80 photographs by artist Kip Fulbeck, who will give the short performance on Sept. 17. Presented by the UNC Office of International Affairs and organized by the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles, with support from the James Irvine Foundation. For more information, visit www.global.unc.edu or call (919) 962-2435.

- Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m., Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer: Banjoist Béla Fleck, double bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer and Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain share projects and pairings that touch every geographical and stylistic corner of the musical world. Presented by Carolina Performing Arts. Tickets available at the Memorial Hall Box Office and via www.carolinaperformingarts.org.

- Oct. 16, 7 p.m., “Los Pleneros de la 21,” in Memorial Hall on Cameron Avenue. Grammy-nominated Afro-Puerto Rican ensemble, presented by the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History. For more information, visit www.sonjahaynesstonectr.unc.edu/programs/events/LP21 or call (919) 962-9001.

- Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., “When We Danced,” Gerrard Hall on Cameron Avenue. A one-man play that explores homosexual life through numerous characters’ love, loss, history and personal triumphs, written and performed by visiting artist Greg Ramos for The Process Series. Presented by the Office of the Executive Director for the Arts, Teatro Latino Series, UNC Latina/o Cultures Speakers Series and the UNC Latina/o Gift Fund, as part of the Process Series. For more information, visit http://eda.unc.edu/programs/theprocessseries.

- Nov. 20, 8 p.m., Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca: Spain’s award-winning Noche Flamenca is the most authentic flamenco touring company in the world. With dancer and founding member Soledad Barrio, Noche Flamenca gives vivid life to all three elements of the art form: cante (song), toque (guitar) and dance. Presented by Carolina Performing Arts. Tickets available at the Memorial Hall Box Office and via www.carolinaperformingarts.org.