Invitation to Propose a Student Project
Welcome to Performing and Media Arts! The Performing & Media Arts Performance & Events Committee is dedicated to supporting with care the cross-disciplinary creative work formulated by our student body.
The Department of Performing and Media Arts leads students from all disciplines through artistic and scholarly explorations of live and mediated forms of creativity and expression. Students are challenged to think creatively, critically, and historically about the world around them as they identify and interpret the power of image, sound, gesture, and movement and cultivate their own artistic and academic voices. The vision of the Programming Committee is to nurture and mentor artists, performers, writers and thinkers through the process of event programming. We recognize that all people should see their stories represented and envision their stories as valuable. We wish to create spaces that actively seek to break down systems of oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, class, ability and place of origin and empower all to be involved. We aim to stimulate thoughtful conversation with our community and throughout our work, to strengthen bonds and engage inquiry, dialogue, and impact around social and cultural change.
We invite you to propose work that you would like to present for AY 2023-2024.
We welcome proposals from students who have engaged in at least two PMA courses related to their project proposals.
Go here for the proposal form. Go here for a preview of the questions. Proposals are due by noon on Friday, 1/27/2023
Please contact Jason Simms (jbs457@cornell.edu) or Pam Lillard (psl1@cornell.edu) with questions.
The Four Steps on How to Propose a Project
Transcript
Hello, I’m Jason Simms. I chair the Programming Committee for the Department of Performing and Media Arts.
The vision of the Programming Committee is to nurture and mentor artists, performers, writers and thinkers through the process of event programming.
We recognize that all people should see their stories represented and envision their stories as valuable. We wish to create spaces that actively seek to break down systems of oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, class, ability and place of origin and empower all to be involved.
We aim to stimulate thoughtful conversation within our community and throughout our work, to strengthen bonds and engage inquiry, dialogue, and impact around social and cultural change.
Students who wish to propose a project connected to an honors thesis should utilize the following proposal process.
If you are a student and would like to propose a student-led project in either live performance or film, follow these four steps:
Step one. Check your Cornell email, the PMA website, or PMA social media posts for a link to the proposal form.
Step two. Secure a faculty mentor prior to submitting your proposal form. You will need to list your faculty mentor on your proposal.
Step three. Fill out the proposal form with details of your project. Be sure to list your faculty mentor on the form.
Step four. Once your form has been submitted, Email PMA’s Director of Productions & Events, Pam Lillard at P-S-L-ONE at cornell dot E-D-U and include your faculty mentor on the email. This email will serve as your faculty mentor’s approval for your project. That’s it!
Any Cornell student can propose a project as long as they have taken two courses related to the project within the Department of Performing & Media Arts.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact me Jason Simms at J-B-S-4-5-7 at cornell dot E-D-U or Pam Lillard at P-S-L-ONE at cornell dot E-D-U We look forward to your proposals!
Proposal Form Preview
Please use this proposal form preview for planning purposes only. To submit a proposal to the committee, go to the Student Proposal form
Answers to essay questions needn't be long. 100-150 words should be sufficient.
SECTION I - Basic Information
Name(s) of Project Coordinator(s)
Preferred method to contact you (include email address or phone)
Project Title, if known
If you are a graduate student, who is your advisor or the chair of your committee?
Share with us what you think we should know about you (e.g., who you are, what you study, what is important to you)
List a minimum of two PMA courses you have taken that are related to your proposal
What type of student-directed event are you proposing?
- Thesis project
- Non-thesis project
We are interested in understanding the work you wish to make. Please tell us about the piece or project you are proposing. (You can share ideas and/or a description of the work. It is not necessary to have fully fleshed ideas at this stage.)
Tell us why this work is important to you (e.g., why now? why this piece? why this department?)
The vision of the Programming & Curriculum committee is to nurture and mentor artists, performers, writers and thinkers through the process of event programming. We recognize that all people should see their stories represented and envision their stories as valuable. We wish to create spaces that actively seek to break down systems of oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, class, ability and place of origin and empower all to be involved. We aim to stimulate thoughtful conversation with our community and throughout our work, to strengthen bonds and engage inquiry, dialogue, and impact around social and cultural change.
How does your project align with the stated goals of this committee/department?
Which best describes you?
- I would like to apply for a specific slot in a specific venue for a live performance
- I would like the committee to decide the best place and time for my project
- I am proposing a film project
PMA – Typical calendar slots (subject to change):
STUDENT PROJECTS:
Slot 1: Late September/Early October
Slot 2: Late October/Early November
Slot 3: Mid-February
Slot 4: Mid-March
For live events, the slots indicate when the performances will take place.
For film projects, select the slot that best corresponds with the timing of your film shoot. You will edit your film after the slot is over.
Resources: student-led with student designers. PMA Staff will provide mentorship and support for scenic construction and load-in. Assistance with costume alterations may be possible. Scenic, prop, and costume stock is available for hard-to-find items. Show budgets are allocated to support a modest design approach.
For live performance, the Black Box is a “plug and play” space, equipped with stage lighting, sound system, and a projector with a 16’W x 10’H projection screen.
For film projects, spaces in the Schwartz Center may be adapted.
Please rank your preference of the available slots:
______ Slot 1
______ Slot 2
______ Slot 3
______ Slot 4
Do you wish to have technical support for your project?
- Yes
- No
What level of support best describes what you want?
| Fully Resourced Designs | Modest Design/Build | Pull from Stock | Not applicable | |
| Scenery | ||||
| Props | ||||
| Costumes | ||||
| Lighting | ||||
| Sound | ||||
| Projections | ||||
| Other (describe) |
Do you already have faculty or student collaborators for this project?
- Yes
- No
Who and in what capacity?
We feel that department mentorship provides a valuable support system in this process and so are requiring that students have a PMA faculty mentor for projects to be accepted.
Please submit an email statement to psl1@cornell.edu from your mentor that verifies their involvement in your project.
Who is your faculty mentor?
Part 4: Additional Information
Do you have any other information that might help inform the committee’s decision about this proposal?
Please submit a copy of the script or other materials, if applicable.
Proposal Form
Ready to Submit Your Project Proposal?
*This proposal process is for student proposals only. Faculty who wish to lead, mentor, or direct a specific project should contact Jason Simms (jbs457@cornell.edu) and Pam Lillard (psl1@cornell.edu) directly.