CSI: Greensboro
Engaging Arts Students in the
Sustainability Conversation
Trey McDonald
Sustainability Coordinator
Jessica Trotman
Sustainability Education & Outreach
Background
• UNCG part of the UNC system
• ~18,000 students
• ~3,000 employees
• ~200 acres / 5.5 million gsf
• Sustainability Office has existed for 2.5 years
Background
• At UNCG, 15% population of students in the “arts”
• Music
• Theater
• Dance
• Creative Writing / English
• Visual Arts
• Interior Architecture
• These students can be missed through traditional
sustainability programming and marketing
• Need greater engagement to build a culture of
sustainability on campus – but how?
Step 1. Acknowledge
the problem
Students have been difficult to
engage.
WHERE is the energy
on campus?
Make the most of our unique
populations.
Step 2: Brainstorm HOW
Incentives for Students
Money and Recognition
How to they earn the incentive?
Complete a project
Benefits to the University
Student engagement, ideas for administration
Student
award
Project for
campus
GRANT
PROGRAM
Step 3: Money Matters
• Difficult to get funding due to financial
climate in state
• Partnership - secured funding for
grants through UNCG Sustainability
Committee ($1,500)
• Learn about financial aid and tax
implications for students
• Option: Order materials for students
Step 4: Create RFP
Find Support
• Recruited
staff/faculty
from art
museum and
music library
with grant
experience
Write RFP
• RFP should be
1-2 pages
• Clearly state
expectations
• Do not
overcommit
• Get input
from
supporters
Release
• Social Media
• Faculty
• Posters
• Hand bills in
practice
rooms and
studios
RFP Elements
• Purpose: create art that is
–
–
–
–
•
•
•
•
Informed by the environment
Inspires audience to value the earth
Brings attention to campus sustainability issues
Conveys interconnectedness
Eligibility and Scope of Work
Deliverables and Responsibilities
Proposal Requirements
Schedule
• Students had three
months to create
the proposal.
• Proposals were
reviewed and
voted on.
• Three winners were
notified and
announced at
Earth Day
reception.
Step 5: Manage
• Regularly check in with recipients
• Request a formal grant report due
halfway through the project phase
• Set deadline for ordering materials, or
returning receipts.
• Maintain records of their purchases
Step 6: Associated Events
• Provide opportunities for projects to be
presented on campus.
– UNCG hosted a symposium, where students and
faculty presented on arts and sustainability.
– Students will present their projects and
participate in moderated discussion for Campus
Sustainability Day
Winning Design Projects
1. Solar Charging Hub
Corry Mears
Senior Interior Architecture
2. Glenwood Sustainable Home
Austin Loman
Senior Interior Architecture
Winning Performing Arts Project
“…and we will build our own truths”
Steven Landis
MM composition
Elisa Foshay
MFA choreography
Lessons Learned
• Create a natural timeline of events – no project
work over summer
• Create guidelines to benefit your mission and the
student interest
• Support the projects with engaging ancillary events
to reach a larger audience
• Ask for help
– Consult financial aid when deciding how to make awards
– Recruit faculty to evaluate applications at least three months in
advance
Contact Information
Trey McDonald
rkmcdona@uncg.edu
Jessica Trotman
jgtrotma@uncg.edu
http://uncgsustainability.wordpress.com/