About Arts&Ideas

Founded in 1984, the Arts & Ideas program at Lewis University has ignited a passion and appreciation for the arts, and fostered greater cultural and community engagement. We provide students with the opportunity to ignite their curiosity, learn from renowned artists and scholars, engage with a diverse community, and explore new ideas. From thought-provoking lectures, panel discussions, and film screenings to captivating stage productions and musical performances, Arts & Ideas offers a diverse range of artistic and cultural experiences…free and open to the public! In a typical year, we present close to 200 events, making Lewis University the cultural and artistic hub of the southwest suburbs.

The Arts & Ideas Lewis program reflects the integration of several Lewis University programs under one umbrella. Coordinated by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communications, Arts & Ideas is comprised of the Performing Arts Series, the Ideas Series, the Wadsworth Family Gallery, the Phillip Lynch Theatre, and Jet Fuel Review.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency

Arts&Ideas FAQs

For Audiences

What is Arts&Ideas?
Arts&Ideas is a program that augments the curriculum at Lewis University.

Where can I see a list of Arts&Ideas events?
Events can often change or even be cancelled throughout the year. The most up-to-date listing can be found on our websites, luartsandideas.org or lewisu.edu/artsandideas. (just scroll down) Arts&Ideas also produces a limited number of printed brochures each semester. To request a free copy, send an email to artsandideas@lewisu.edu.

Does it cost to attend Arts&Ideas events?
With the exception of Theatre productions, all Arts&Ideas events are free and open to the public.

How is my attendance recorded?
At the end of the event a Graduate Assistant will check you out using a scanner. It is important to your QR code ready.

How do I get a QR Code?
A QR code can downloaded at http://www.luartsandideas.org

How do I know what events I've attended?
You can keep track of your events at http://luartsandidea.org

Do I need a ticket to attend an Arts&Ideas event?
With the exception of Theatre productions, tickets are not required for Arts&Ideas events. Seating is based on a first come first served basis as long space allows.

What time should I arrive at an Arts&Ideas event?
We encourage arriving at least 15 minutes before the event is scheduled to begin. For Performance Arts Series and other large venue events, the doors will typically open 30 minutes before the start of the event.

How long do Arts&Ideas events last?
This really depends on the type of event but range from 50 minutes to two hours. Lectures panels Q&As usually are 50-75 minutes while movies, plays, concerts often last longer. You can find the event's length scheduled length by viewing the calendars posted at, luartsandideas.org or lewisu.edu/artsandideas.

Why do some events not give Arts&Ideas Credit?
Not all events give Arts&Ideas Credit. Those that don't provide credit have a "NC" designation in the event schedule.

To be assigned Arts&Ideas Credit, an event must meet certain criteria including:

• Arts&Ideas credited events must have academic merit for which academic credit can be given.
• Arts&Ideas enhance courses, therefore events that provide Arts&Ideas Credit must be sponsored by a faculty member and/or academic department.

Although important to the cultural landscape of the Lewis University community, events sponsored by student organizations do not typically qualify for Arts&Ideas Credit. Likewise, recruitment, social, and similar events do not provide credit.

Finally, events may not give Arts&Ideas Credit if the event was submitted for consideration by the faculty organizer after the submission deadline, within 14 days of the event, or if the event creates conflicts with other events.

FAQ for Faculty

Who can host an Arts & Ideas event?

Arts & Ideas is a faculty-driven program; therefore, a faculty member or academic department is charged with sponsoring events. 

How can I schedule an event for the Arts & Ideas calendar?  

• Before submitting an event, please browse the Arts & Ideas calendar and identify an available date and time. While some scheduling flexibility exists, we discourage double-booking Arts & Ideas events.
• An event can be submitted for the Arts & Ideas schedule here.
• The form asks you for the estimated duration of your event, expected attendance, type of event, contact information, and other relevant details.
• Please ensure that you submit your event proposal at least 14 days prior to your desired date to ensure we can give your event proper consideration.

How can I ensure that my event gets Arts & Ideas credit?

• There is no panel that approves which events receive Arts & Ideas credit. Rather, Arts & Ideas credit is given to events with curriculum alignment, and which have academic merit for which academic credit can be given.
• When submitting your event using the Arts & Ideas submission form, you will be asked whether it is an Arts & Ideas event. After checking "YES" to indicate this is an Arts & Ideas event, you will then be asked to check whether you want the event to be for Arts & Ideas credit. You must also click "YES" here for the event to be considered for Arts & Ideas credit.
• You will be asked to briefly describe the academic merit of your event, the baccalaureate characteristics and student learning outcomes that best align with your event, and possible course alignment for your event. 
• Most often, an event is rejected from receiving credit because the host did not ask for it on their event submission form, or because of a scheduling issue.

How do I get a room for my event?

Room(s) for your event can be requested as part of the Arts & Ideas event submission form.

How can I check or keep track of student attendance for my event?

Student attendance for events can be checked here. If you have problems checking student attendance for your event, you may contact the A&I Administrative Assistant for further assistance.

Our event used to receive Arts & Ideas credit, but we did not receive credit this semester. Why?

• There are several reasons this may have happened. Common reasons include: the event was not submitted to Arts & Ideas by a faculty member, the submission did not request Arts & Ideas credit on the submission form, the event was submitted less than 14 days prior to the event, or the event created a conflict with another previously scheduled event.
• Arts & Ideas staff work with faculty to ensure that events are assigned Arts & Ideas credit. If you have questions about Arts & Ideas credit, please contact the co-directors, Dr. Mike McFerron or Dr. James Tallon.

   I sometimes hear about Cult&Civ points. What are they?

For many years, Lewis students enrolled in the "Culture and Civilization" course were required to attend Arts & Ideas events. "Cult&Civ" points were created to track student attendance specifically for this course. Today, Arts & Ideas events are incorporated into a variety of classes across the curriculum, and Arts&Ideas credit was adopted in its place.

Who do I contact with questions about hosting an event?

For Performing Arts Series events: Dr. Mike McFerron, co-director
For Ideas Series events (panels, lectures, etc.): Dr. James Tallon, co-director
For Arts & Ideas logistics: Christine Jones, administrative assistant