Museums, galleries, and performance venues remained closed at the University of Michigan this week due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, there are plenty of online events, exhibitions, performances, and films that you can experience from home in the meantime. Here are recommended ways to virtually engage with U-M’s cultural community this week.

HOUSE CALLS: VIRTUAL VISITS WITH MICHIGAN ARTISTS IN A PANDEMIC

The University of Michigan Institute for Humanities’ new streaming video series, “House Calls: Virtual Studio Visits with Michigan Artists in a Pandemic,” showcases 10 artists across the state via video chat with the staff of the Institute for the Humanities each, with new episodes released on Wednesdays. This week, they present Ypsilanti artist Yen Azzaro. Read more about the series here. 

When: May 26 at 4 p.m.; New episodes released on Wednesdays until June 17th

Where: myumi.ch/ov0R7

Next up: Ricky Weaver, Ypsilanti (6/3)

SMTD EXCEL’s Virtual Visionaries Series: Personal Finance for Artists with Tara Faircloth

This session held by the School of Music, Theatre & Dance’s Excel Lab is designed for independent artists, performers, or contract creatives with irregular income. Join acclaimed stage director Tara Faircloth for a workshop on budgeting for the freelance lifestyle, using a systematic approach to finances that will help you plan for the pitfalls of the up-and-down income inherent in a contract worker’s life.

When: Thursday, May 28th, 5–6:00 p.m. EDT

Where: myumi.ch/lx0qk

CLEMENTS VIRTUAL DISCOVER SERIES: PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTORS AND THEIR COLLECTIONS

The U-M William L. Clements Library’s photography collection is comprised of over 150,000 images with examples of virtually every popular photographic format in use in America from 1840 into the 20th century. The Graphics Division at the Clements Library will share a range of images as they explain the evolution of techniques used throughout the decades and answer your questions in this virtual presentation and discussion series. This week, they discuss photography collectors and their collections. 

When: Wednesday, May 27th, 4–5:00 pm EDT

Where: Register to join the online meeting via Zoom at myumi.ch/mnREP. In your confirmation email, find the link to join the meeting. All registrants will receive the recording by a follow-up email.

TAUBMAN COLLEGE’s ANNUAL STUDENT SHOWCASE

The Annual Student Show is an exhibition held in the spring by the Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning that features faculty-selected projects representing the best work from the prior fall and winter semesters. Each year, a panel of diverse Taubman College alumni and distinguished professionals convene to judge the show, awarding cash prizes to the most accomplished projects. View all the work from participants and the winners online.

When: Anytime

Where: myumi.ch/kxWbD

The Residential College Podcast

In this episode by U-M’s Residential College, they explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people differently even within the Residential College community. This episode features a Resident Advisor in an RC hallway in East Quad, a student studying abroad in Paris at the time of the U-M shutdown, a student who remained in University Housing after East Quad’s evacuation, as well as a member of the RC intensive language faculty. They explore family ties, procrastination, the strangeness of seeing other people in real life, and dealing with anxiety during these “unprecedented times,” all with humor and vulnerability.

When: Anytime

Where: myumi.ch/1pq9Z 

CONTRIBUTE TO THE BENTLEY LIBRARY’S PANDEMIC ARCHIVE 

Zoom meeting screenshots. Journal entries. Course assignments. Audio interviews. Social distancing signage. Tributes to essential workers. Photos from virtual commencement. These are just a few examples of materials that the University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library is looking for as part of a new project that calls for the U-M community to help document the COVID-19 pandemic. To submit items to Bentley’s project, staff, faculty, or students can fill out a form using their UMich account. Donors can submit up to 10 files at a time and can fill out the form as many times as needed, though the Bentley is not obligated to keep everything that is submitted. For alternative submission methods, contact bentleycv19@umich.edu. Read more about what to submit and the project here. 

When: Anytime

Where: Submissions accepted at myumi.ch/2DjVB

THE CLEMENTS BOOKWORM: A BOOK CIRCLE FOR HISTORY LOVERS

Join the U-M William L. Clements Library staff, fellows and supporters in a discussion about the books they are reading. Inspired by the traditional Clements Library researcher tea time at 10 a.m., they invite you to pull up a chair at the [virtual] table. Pour a cup of tea and enjoy a snack while you watch commentators in a live feed.

Where: Register at myumi.ch/gjgzR. In your confirmation email, find the link “click Here to join” to enter the meeting.

When: Fridays, 10 a.m.—10:30 a.m. EDT