'Art Finds a Way' at this year's Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts

Online and on campus, Brandeis will celebrate its creative community during the 2021 Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts from Sunday, April 25 through Monday, May 1. 

The festival honors its founder, the great American composer, conductor, and Brandeis faculty member, Leonard Bernstein, and his legacy as an artist, educator, activist and humanitarian.

The festival’s theme, Art Finds a Way, reflects the Brandeis community's determination and resilience during this challenging year. Events include performances, artist talks, and a special art giveaway for the Brandeis community.

Most events will take place online and are open to the public. Events that take place on campus are open to the Brandeis community only, in compliance with current health and safety protocol. 

HIghlights of the week include:

• Virtual Super Sunday: A showcase of more than 40 short performances and films by Brandeis students and alumni, including Department of Music student ensembles and guest artists, a cappella and dance clubs, and filmmakers and multimedia artists.

• WBRS 101.1 FM presents an exclusive live online concert featuring a national artist (TBA on social media)

• The Gifted Givers: a virtual catalog of 500 small works of art made by more than 60 generous students, staff, faculty and alumni to give to their fellow Brandeisians.

• Online performances of “The Lathe of Heaven,” adapted from the science fiction novel by Ursula K. Le Guin; and the Senior Thesis Festival of new works created by graduating Theater Arts majors; produced by the Department of Theater Arts.

• The Brandeis Folk Festival, featuring live streaming performances by singer-songwriters from around New England

• The online world premiere of four works written by Brandeis graduate composers for the Lydian String Quartet.

• The Create@Brandeis craft market, featuring handmade goods by Brandeis students and staff, at the Brandeis Booths in Fellows’ Garden. 

You can find a complete listing of events on the festival website and event highlights on Facebook and Instagram.

“As Leonard Bernstein said, among the components of happiness are ‘the enjoyment of gifts and the joy of gratitude,’” said festival producer Ingrid Schorr, director of Arts Engagement. “We hope that this year’s Festival of the Arts will bring that happiness to campus and provide some much-needed community care.”

The Festival of the Arts is sponsored by Brandeis Arts Engagement, part of the Division of Creative Arts. It is made possible through the generous support of Elaine Reuben ’63 and the Aaron Foundation Visiting Artist Fund for Theater, Music, and Fine Arts.