Transforming Art Spaces into Educational Spaces

TutorND was formed as part of the University’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Many of DPAC’s staff have been involved with the program while the Center remains closed.

If you love the performing arts, perhaps this “resolutions” list will help you celebrate the arts at home in 2021.

While any employee working in a public-facing position will tell you there’s no “typical day,” the coronavirus pandemic has taken atypical to a new level. Being on Notre Dame’s campus may be a little nerve-wracking for some, despite “the bubble.” However, the Guest Services staff at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center are trying to ease concerns and make the facility, classrooms, and amenities as safe as possible.

As an arts student, I knew my usual experience on Notre Dame’s campus was going to be drastically altered, but I never expected to gain so many opportunities in the midst of a pandemic.

The Center’s Executive Director, Ted Barron, announced the cancellation of the remaining previously announced 2020–2021 Presenting Series events. The Center’s continued utilization in the University of Notre Dame’s on-going COVID-19 response plan brought about the season’s end.

Spring 2020 at Notre Dame was unlike any other in the school’s history. Every student knows where they were when how profoundly the coronavirus pandemic would change everything became clear. The transformation in student life washed over them anew with the return to campus in August, and the waves kept coming.

Starting on August 10, professors had to get comfortable with new tech tools in spaces across Notre Dame not traditionally reserved for teaching — like the two largest venues at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC).

In reflection of the past months, Ted and Ricky discuss the Top 3 shows they enjoyed from the literally hundreds they’ve watched during isolation.

For the coming fall semester, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and its staff will support the University’s academic mission and coronavirus response by canceling public events. Instead, the facility’s venues are preparing for use as physically-distanced classrooms.

As we reach the end of the semester, this is typically a time of reflection. While we prepare for commencement ceremonies, we often look back on our accomplishments and anticipate new opportunities to come next year. Of course, things are different today. On campus, we have been rescheduling, retooling, readjusting for an unforeseen pause in our activities. While it would be inappropriate to complain about the state of things, we also don’t want to offer a naively optimistic view of what’s to come. This is where our students can provide a much-needed source of inspiration, especially the class of 2020.

The 2020−2021 DeBartolo Performing Arts Center Presenting Series season offers 31 performances in a variety of genres, ranging from a cappella choral music to a recital by one of the world’s most revered living instrumentalists to audience favorites in popular music, dance, and family programming.

As a way to continue its involvement in film for the Notre Dame community and beyond, the Browning Cinema has launched its first series of the “Zoom Back Camera” film event last week. This ongoing, weekly event is an opportunity for film-lovers to connect through cinema despite the closing of theaters due to COVID-19. Every week, the Browning Cinema will release a schedule of four films available through a variety of streaming services.

In response to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center has decided to canceled all activities and events at least through April 12, 2020.