Howard Community College

T HE A R T O F L E AR NI NG <<< Look, Listen, and Learn "Almost every day of the year, developed by the Americans for the Arts, professional artists collaborated on a something is going on at the college's shows that the total economic impact of multimedia exhibit, dance performance, and Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts the county's nonprofit arts organizations in concert thematically exploring the "art of Center, and our students are involved," 2011 was $7.3 million, including $716,000 seduction." says Valerie Lash, Howard Community in local and state government revenue. students by partnering with area cultural College (HCC) arts and humanities division chairperson. This is quite a change from 1982, The college expands opportunities for 4-Dimensional Art Technology is not usually what comes arts organizations, providing performing and exhibition space, technical expertise, when Lash first came here. "There was no to mind when you think about the arts. and creative support. "Collaboration student theatre, few choices for students However, technology adds an important builds understanding of how to function who wanted to major in the arts, and dimension to HCC's arts programs. in the world, meet deadlines, work with inadequate space," she recalls. Since Students benefit from advanced electronic different personalities, and appeal to then, enrollment in the arts has soared, music labs and soundproof studios; hands- an audience," Lash explains. Partners course offerings have multiplied, valuable on experience with digital video and audio include the Columbia Festival of the Arts, partnerships with arts organizations have equipment; and classrooms with the latest HoCoPoLitSo, Howard County Center of flourished, programs have garnered critical graphic output capabilities. African American Culture, Red Branch acclaim, and HCC has hosted museum- Another distinction of the arts Theatre Company, African Art Museum of caliber exhibitions and international guest programs is an interdisciplinary approach Maryland, Candlelight Concert Society, artists. A linchpin in this success is the to learning. Last year, students and Columbia Film Society, and the Howard County Arts Council. Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Last but not least, HCC's arts faculty Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art instructional, exhibition, and performance distinguishes these programs – all are facility, which opened on campus in 2006. working artists who bring a wide range Coleen West, executive director of the of experience to share with their students. Howard County Arts Council, is also a fan. "We strongly believe that students benefit "HCC is a major resource for the arts and from studying with professionals," the community," says West. "The expanded Lash says. "They learn to understand the curriculum provides students of all ages passion, energy, and commitment the arts with a strong foundation in a wide variety require." Lash herself is an actress and founding of artistic disciplines – including traditional art forms and new digital media – and director of Rep Stage, a professional Equity prepares them for successful careers." theatre in residence at HCC. She has earned the Howard County Arts Council's According to Dun & Bradstreet, Howard County is home to more than 700 Howie Award as Arts Educator of the arts-related businesses that employ 2,700 Year and was inducted into the Howard people and enrich the lives of residents. The County Commission for Women for her Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator, 2 Chris Reber, Music Technology Faculty. Pathways | Howard Community College Fall 2012 contributions to the cultural community.

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