Dear Supporter of the Arts,

I hope you will join us for the final presentation of Columbia College Chicago's 2012-13 season of Conversations in the Arts, a program series that offers in-depth dialogue with some of the world's most notable cultural figures in a select and intimate setting.

This year, Conversations in the Arts highlights the work of several individuals who have brought stories to life, whether as film or stage entertainers, or as journalists. Appearing together in the film La Bamba, Elizabeth Pena, Lou Diamond Philips, and Esai Morales document the short life of Mexican-American rock star Ritchie Valens. Their reunion at this season's first conversation coincided with Columbia Night at the Chicago International Film Festival on October 16. On February 27, the dancer, choreographer, actress, and director, Debbie Allen, graced our campus. Award-winning journalist Michele Norris, longtime co-host of NPR's All Things Considered, completed our series on April 16.

The individuals who join us for Conversations in the Arts exemplify the humanistic qualities and values we bring to education at Columbia College Chicago. The past eight seasons have brought many legendary cultural figures — the list includes Lauren Bacall, Ben Vereen, Mary Tyler Moore, Julie Andrews, James Earl Jones, Debbie Reynolds, Joan Lunden, Richard Roundtree, Salman Rushdie, Jane Alexander, Edward James Olmos, Diahann Carroll, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Jonathan Kozol, Sir Ken Robinson, Anna Deavere Smith, Richard Florida, Biz Stone, Mauro Fiore, Arianna Huffington, Mira Nair, Patti Smith, David Cromer, Christian Siriano, Gloria Steinem, Donna Brazile, and Michael Beschloss. All have offered a depth of perspective and personal recollection that have created truly memorable experiences.

As a leading innovator in arts, media, and communications education and practice — and a major player in Chicago's vibrant cultural scene — Columbia College Chicago is the ideal presenter for this kind of encounter. We enrich lives by providing excellence and opportunity in higher education, training a highly diverse student body to author the culture of their times. These graduates in turn enhance the vitality of American life, bringing a multiplicity of voices and visions to their films, dance works, paintings, writings — all their creative endeavors.

Columbia College Chicago welcomes you to visit with some of the most influential cultural figures of our time. I hope to see you at the next conversation!

Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D.
President, Columbia College Chicago

PRESENTING SPONSOR: