Thalia Field, the Brown Arts Initiative’s new faculty director and a professor of creative writing at the University, discussed her vision for the future of the arts at Brown.

In “Boatbuilding: Design, Making and Culture,” at once a humanities seminar and a hands-on engineering lesson, students from concentrations across the University built and launched a wooden boat.

As Brown’s distinctive, student-driven approach to teaching and learning marks its 50th anniversary, weekend events honored the pioneers who paved its way and enabled students and families to hear from alumni about its impact on lives and careers.

In marking the start of the 2019-20 academic year, President Christina Paxson and Dean of the College Rashid Zia encouraged students to harness the power of the Open Curriculum to become change agents in their communities.

This year’s forums explored everything from cancer research and digital health innovations to media and political engagement, the 1968 Black Student Walkout at Brown, and patriotic philanthropy.

Brown leaders invited the campus community to use the year ahead as an opportunity to critically reflect on the University’s defining educational philosophy.

Open Curriculum at 50 anniversary kick-off event on May 7 will commemorate a pivotal moment in Brown’s history and begin a 12-month community exploration of the University’s distinctive, student-centered curriculum.