Critical Encounters

Critical Encounters is a college-wide initiative intended to synchronize conversations between the school and the community in an ongoing dialogue around a central, socially and culturally relevant issue, each academic year. The purpose of Critical Encounters is to further enhance Columbia College’s commitment to civic engagement by inviting students, faculty, and staff to explore and reflect upon the chosen issue so that we better understand the impact of that issue in relation to our role as artists, communicators, and media makers, and as those who shape public perception and author the culture of our times.

During the 2011-12 academic year, explorations will focus on Rights, Radicals, & Revolutions.

Rights, Radicals, + Revolutions

Check the EVENTS page for more information!

SPRING 2012 Community Workshop II: February 13-17, 2012

DEADLINE extended to February 1, 5:00 p.m.

Join us for Potluck: Chicago II, an intensive free workshop open to students, staff, faculty, and community members. We will develop creative tools, explore our diverse city, share meals, and invite others to join us in a conversation about creative placemaking. The Potluck has been initially imagined by London-based international arts company motiroti, as the 2011-2012 Critical Encounters artists in residence at Columbia College Chicago. Alongside Columbia, a range of partners have joined the project early on to contribute ideas and planning—including The Dorchester Project, the En Las Tablas Performing Arts Center and the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum.

Following our fall 2011 launch, our artist/activists have:

served soup to over 120 people
established an on-line idea sharing community
worked with Strategic Media Relations course to develop and hone our message and outreach
donated 82 toys to deserving children
created 32 sock puppets with aspiring junior playwrights who hope to use their creativity and strength make the city better
designed an installation, video, and performance to be featured in an traveling exhibition, Feast: Radical Hospitality opening at the Smart Museum on on Feb. 15th
planned several spring interventions that will consider what actions we can take to improve our city, be our guest, be our host!

Download the workshop application HERE.

STUDENT SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! Download the form here.