National Arts and Humanities Month in October celebrates the crucial role of the arts and humanities to connect communities and cultures, promote inclusion, enhance wellbeing, and make a difference in people’s lives throughout the University of Delaware and across the state of Delaware.​

“The arts at UD provide unique and distinctive avenues for creative expression as creators, performers and connoisseurs. Whether through visual art, music, theater or dance, the arts promote cultural diversity and inclusivity, engender health and wellbeing, lead to social justice and change, and catalyze communities to thrive,” said Suzanne Burton, senior associate dean for the arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Join us for the many engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring events as the University of Delaware celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month.”

Wendy Bellion is the associate dean for the humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The humanities challenge us to become the best humans we can possibly be, through listening, looking, and learning from one another,” Bellion said. “The events scheduled across October invite us to delve into African American history, the art of Winslow Homer and much more. And although this national celebration lasts only one month, it highlights the ways the humanities enrich our lives every single day and all year round."

Below are highlights from the more than 30 events featured for National Arts and Humanities Month. Please visit the College of Arts and Sciences website for the full list. 

​​​​Doing Ukrainian Public History in Wartime

When: Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, 12:45-2:05 p.m.

Where: Munroe Hall, 203

The Department of History, Jewish Studies Program and European Studies Program present a talk by award-winning historian Serhy Yekelchyk, called “Doing Ukrainian Public History in Wartime.” Professor of History and Slavic Studies at the University of Victoria, Yekelchyk discusses the challenges and rewards of being thrust into a public role by Russia’s war on Ukraine. 

Shirley Chisholm and Black Feminist Power Politics: Speaks-Warnock Lecture

When: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Where: Purnell Hall, 118

In 1972, Shirley Chisholm’s presidential run was a historic first: She was the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination for president and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Anastasia Curwood from the Commonwealth Institute for Black Studies at the University of Kentucky will discuss Chisholm’s significance as a Black feminist politician in our national politics during the civil rights era and beyond.

Afghan Faces, a photographic exhibition by Hikmatullah Kharoti

When: Oct. 9-20, 2023

Where: Morris Library Atrium, 1st floor

Afghan Faces is based on the bravery of Afghan children: the grim reality and wide range of challenges these children face every day. It is not only education that every girl is deprived of; it is also the basic right of any child: studying at school, playing in the park, sleeping in a warm bed, having food and access to healthcare. Despite this, they are thankful for having healthy bodies to work and help feed their families. 

African American Folk Religion (Hoodoo): The Retention and Adaptation of Ancient Egyptian and Nubian Religion in the African Diaspora: Cochran Lecture

When: Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, 4:30-6 p.m.

Where: Trabant Theatre

Salim Faraji, professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills, specializes in early Christian history, Africana and Africanist historiography, Coptic studies and the Kerma, Napatan, Meroitic and Medieval periods of Nubian history. Faraji has traveled and worked extensively on the African continent in such nations as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia and Namibia as both a scholar and activist-humanitarian. 

Indigenous Enterprise: Preservation, Performance and Progression

When: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Mitchell Hall

Indigenous Enterprise is a leading voice in the Indigenous performance community, sharing their heritage and culture through powwow dancing. Group members present traditional Indigenous dance styles infused with modern influences, including the Prairie Chicken Dance, Jingle Dress Dance, Hoop Dance and Fancy Dance. Indigenous Enterprise’s residency at UD includes outreach to public schools, workshops with dance students and an evening performance. Registration required.

Elevating Sustainability in the Humanities, Fashion, and the Arts

When: Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, 3-4:15 p.m.

Where: Gore Hall, 116

Sustainability is an important issue, but what does it look like across an academic community? This event highlights the work of disciplinary areas that may not be recognized for their sustainability work, including art, music, anthropology, fashion and theatre. The event features six Pecha-Kucha style presentations. Also known as a 20x20, a Pecha-Kucha is a non-stop presentation of 20 slides that auto advance after 20 seconds, giving speakers only 400 seconds to tell their story.

UD Chamber Orchestra Cinema Symphony Series

“Frankenstein” 

When: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, 8 p.m.

Where: Gore Recital Hall

The Chamber Orchestra presents a live orchestra accompaniment to Universal Pictures’ 1931 classic horror film starring Boris Karloff, featuring a score by Michael Shapiro. Tickets required.