The Latest
News & Stories from
the U-m Arts Initiative
After decades of partnership, U-M studies what makes Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra great
After decades of collaboration between the University Musical Society (UMS) and the internationally acclaimed Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO), University of Michigan (U-M) researchers set out to answer a complex question: what makes the BPO so great?
10 pianists to perform all 20 of Philip Glass’ piano études in Ann Arbor show
A single evening will bring together 10 pianists, 20 short compositions, and a wide spectrum of musical voices.
“Great Gatsby” will be read onstage verbatim in New York theater company’s Ann Arbor performance
The New York-based theater company Elevator Repair Service will bring “GATZ,” a six-and-a-half-hour production involving a verbatim reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” to Ann Arbor March 27-29.
Rhiannon Giddens named Arts Initiative’s first U-M Artist-in-Residence
The University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative has announced musician, composer and scholar Rhiannon Giddens will be its inaugural U-M Artist-in-Residence.
The new program aims to bring extraordinary, innovative artists to campus in order to create, grow and impact the world while engaging the university community in the transformative power of the arts.
Political Satire Meets Musical History: Gershwin's Pulitzer Winner Takes the Michigan Theater
The University of Michigan’s Gershwin Initiative is turning back the clock to showcase a pioneering work of American political satire that proves the more things change, the more they stay the same.
No Safety Net: Pushing Boundaries in UMS's 24/25 Season
The University Musical Society (UMS) is set to challenge audiences once again with the return of its provocative No Safety Net series in the 2024-25 season. This cutting-edge program, known for presenting works that tackle contemporary issues head-on, will feature three interactive theatrical experiences that promise to spark dialogue and push the boundaries of traditional performance.