The Office of Entrepreneurship and Career Development is pleased to announce winners of the 2023 Innovation Grant Competition, an initiative that supports and showcases creative work by faculty and students in the Jacobs School of Music. Each in their own way are collaborative in nature and build a sense of community within the creative world they engage.
“Innovation is at the core of what make good enterprises great ones,” said Abra Bush, David Henry Jacobs Bicentennial Dean. “The Jacobs School of Music is proud to support the execution of provocative new ideas and initiatives which will move forward the work of the performing arts and scholarly work in new and exciting ways. Jacobs students and faculty are the future of the field, and this is an opportunity to reward creativity and excellence while celebrating them.”
Faculty member Austin Hartman, along with the Pacifica Quartet and the graduate Balourdet Quartet has been selected to receive $6,000 in project support. Students Louise Kern-Kensler, Wesley Taylor, and Robert Hurley have been selected to receive $2,000 each. The Innovation Grants are generously supported by donors of the Jacobs School of Music.
MEET THE WINNERS
FACULTY AWARD: $6,000
A Collaborative Broadcast Platform for the Promotion of Cultural Enrichment & Sustainability
Led by Austin Hartman, Pacifica Quartet, and the graduate Balourdet Quartet
The interactive live-streaming broadcast platform is designed to showcase research and performance while promoting and supporting cultural enrichment of public and private schools, academic institutions of higher education and presenting organizations. The project is planned to include national and international partners as they educate and inspire audiences that vary in age, culture, and socio-economic means.
STUDENT AWARDS: $2,000
Organic Soundscapes
Led by Robert Hurley (cello) with Anne Liao (composition)
Organic Soundscapes is an art installation that invites audience to consider how they perceive nature in their daily lives through video, baroque cello, improvisation, novel instruments, and audience interaction. By fabricating new electronic instruments using living plants and soil as interfaces, audience members will be invited to play during the performance, fostering a deeper engagement with the installation. A video component allows the project to be iterative, layering performances in different locations highlighting natural and built environments around Indiana. The project will partner with local institutions focused on environmental issues and creative placemaking.
Breaking the Brass Ceiling
Led by Louise Kern-Kensler (brass)
Breaking the Brass Ceiling is a documentary that delves into the lives, stories, struggles, and triumphs of remarkable female brass musicians from diverse backgrounds. Through their personal narratives and artistic journeys, the film aims to explore the systemic challenges and barriers they face, as well as the artistic heights they aspire to achieve. The project aims to inspire, empower, and promote diversity and inclusion within the classical music community. Kern-Kensler is pursuing a dual-degree in Film at the Media School and Trombone Performance at The Jacobs School of Music.
Reimagining Classical Saxophone through Film and Saxophone Ensemble
Led by Wes Taylor (saxophone)
The performance project fosters a connection between classical saxophone and the Bloomington community through the medium of a new saxophone ensemble. In collaboration with the Ryder Film Series, the project will present performances of a 12-member saxophone ensemble alongside three short silent films. The scores will be prepared by current members of the IU Saxophone Ensemble in collaboration with students from the Music Scoring for Visual Media department and the screening will take place at the FAR Center for the Contemporary Arts in downtown Bloomington.
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