About Arts&Ideas

Founded in 1984, the Arts & Ideas program at Lewis University has ignited a passion and appreciation for the arts, and fostered greater cultural and community engagement. We provide students with the opportunity to ignite their curiosity, learn from renowned artists and scholars, engage with a diverse community, and explore new ideas. From thought-provoking lectures, panel discussions, and film screenings to captivating stage productions and musical performances, Arts & Ideas offers a diverse range of artistic and cultural experiences…free and open to the public! In a typical year, we present close to 200 events, making Lewis University the cultural and artistic hub of the southwest suburbs.

The Arts & Ideas Lewis program reflects the integration of several Lewis University programs under one umbrella. Coordinated by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communications, Arts & Ideas is comprised of the Performing Arts Series, the Ideas Series, the Wadsworth Family Gallery, the Phillip Lynch Theatre, and Jet Fuel Review.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency

Arts&Ideas FAQs

For Audiences

What is Arts&Ideas?
Arts&Ideas is a program that augments the curriculum at Lewis University.

Where can I see a list of Arts&Ideas events?
Events can often change or even be cancelled throughout the year. The most up-to-date listing can be found on our websites, luartsandideas.org or lewisu.edu/artsandideas. (just scroll down) Arts&Ideas also produces a limited number of printed brochures each semester. To request a free copy, send an email to artsandideas@lewisu.edu.

Does it cost to attend Arts&Ideas events?
With the exception of Theatre productions, all Arts&Ideas events are free and open to the public.

How is my attendance recorded?
At the end of the event a Graduate Assistant will check you out using a scanner. It is important to your QR code ready.

How do I get a QR Code?
A QR code can downloaded at http://www.luartsandideas.org

How do I know what events I've attended?
You can keep track of your events at http://luartsandidea.org

Do I need a ticket to attend an Arts&Ideas event?
With the exception of Theatre productions, tickets are not required for Arts&Ideas events. Seating is based on a first come first served basis as long space allows.

What time should I arrive at an Arts&Ideas event?
We encourage arriving at least 15 minutes before the event is scheduled to begin. For Performance Arts Series and other large venue events, the doors will typically open 30 minutes before the start of the event.

How long do Arts&Ideas events last?
This really depends on the type of event but range from 50 minutes to two hours. Lectures panels Q&As usually are 50-75 minutes while movies, plays, concerts often last longer. You can find the event's length scheduled length by viewing the calendars posted at, luartsandideas.org or lewisu.edu/artsandideas.

Why do some events not give Arts&Ideas Credit?
Not all events give Arts&Ideas Credit. Those that don't provide credit have a "NC" designation in the event schedule.

To be assigned Arts&Ideas Credit, an event must meet certain criteria including:

• Arts&Ideas credited events must have academic merit for which academic credit can be given.
• Arts&Ideas enhance courses, therefore events that provide Arts&Ideas Credit must be sponsored by a faculty member and/or academic department.

Although important to the cultural landscape of the Lewis University community, events sponsored by student organizations do not typically qualify for Arts&Ideas Credit. Likewise, recruitment, social, and similar events do not provide credit.

Finally, events may not give Arts&Ideas Credit if the event was submitted for consideration by the faculty organizer after the submission deadline, within 14 days of the event, or if the event creates conflicts with other events.

For Organizers

How do I get a room for my event?
For most rooms on campus you need to get in touch with Meetings conferences and events. For All Classrooms, University Dining Room, other dining areas, or St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Center use this Online Reservation Form. Please prefix your room reservation with A&I before the title. For Sancta Alberta Chapel or D\'Arcy Great Room use this Online Reservation Form For the Big Red Room or University Commons contact Student Organization Resource Center (ext 5834).

Who can host an Arts&Ideas event?
Arts&Ideas is a faculty driven program, therefore, faculty members are charged with hosting events. When a faculty member hosts an event, they are vouching for the academic merit of the event.

How do I get my event listed in the Arts&Ideas Calendar?
To submit an event:

1. Visit the Arts&Ideas calendar at http://luartsandideas.org or http://www.lewisu.edu/artsandideas and identify a date/time that is free. Although it's not always possible, we discourage double-booking Arts&Ideas events.
2. Reserve the presentation/performance space before submitting the event to Arts&Ideas staff. For All Classrooms, University Dining Room, other dining areas, or St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Center use this Online Reservation Form. Please prefix your room reservation with A&I before the title. For Sancta Alberta Chapel or D\'Arcy Great Room use this Online Reservation Form For the Big Red Room or University Commons contact Student Organization Resource Center (ext 5834).
3. Submit the Arts&Ideas Submission form, http://www.cs.lewisu.edu/artsandideas.

What is Arts&Ideas Credit?
Events that have been assigned Arts&Ideas Credit are those events that have academic merit for which academic credit can be given. To be assigned Arts&Ideas Credit, an event must meet certain criteria including:

• Arts&Ideas credited events must have academic merit for which academic credit can be given.
• Arts&Ideas enhance courses, therefore events that provide Arts&Ideas Credit must be sponsored by a faculty member and/or academic department.
• Attendance is taken at all events that have been assigned Arts&ideas Credit. Faculty members and students can review attendance of events through our Arts&Ideas Reporting tool available at http://luartsandideas.org.

Our event used to receive Arts&Ideas Credit, but we did not receive credit this semester. Why?
There are a number of reason why this might happen. Some of the most common reasons include:

• The event was not submitted to Arts&Ideas by a faculty member.
• The faculty members submitting the event did not request Arts&Ideas Credit on the submission form.
• Submission of the event was past the deadline and created a conflict with anther, previously scheduled event.
• The event was submitted to Arts&Ideas less than 14 days before the event.

Arts&Ideas staff work with faculty to determine whether events are assigned Arts&Ideas Credit. Ultimately, the decision to assign Arts&Ideas Credit is left to the Arts&Ideas co-directors.

I hear about Cult&Civ Points. What are they?
For many years, students in a required course, Culture and Civilization, were required to attend Arts&Ideas events. "Cult&Civ" points were created to track student attendance specifically for this course. Today, Arts&Ideas events are incorporated in many classes across the curriculum. Although you may from time-to-time still see the obsolete errant use of "Cult&Civ Points" on posters and flyers, we have adopted "Arts&Ideas Credit" in its place.

Who do I contact with questions about hosting an Arts&Ideas event?
For "Ideas" (Panels, lectures, movies, etc..): Dr. James Tallon, co-director
For Performing Arts Series events: Dr. Mike McFerron, co-director
For all Arts&Ideas logistics: Christine Jones, administrative assistant

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