The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts has launched the monthly ArtsCast Nebraska podcast. Episodes are available online or can be downloaded on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

Hosted by Associate Dean Christopher Marks, the podcast is about the creative activities and research of the college’s faculty and alumni.

“These are interesting stories about the arts and the people who create and study the arts,” Marks said. “While they get into details about specific disciplines and projects, they are also very accessible to general audiences. People can learn something about the arts and how they connect to the world, while also listening to interesting and enjoyable conversations.”

April’s episode features a conversation with Marques L.A. Garrett, assistant professor in choral conducting, on his research and performance showcasing the work of black choral conductors.

The next episode, to be released around May 1, will feature Hye-Won Hwang, assistant professor of practice in dance.

In the first episode in March, Marks visited with Sandra Williams, associate professor of art, who discussed how her art focuses on the natural world, especially animals, and how humans have impacted the environment.

New episodes will be available around the first of each month.

Marks said the podcast is a good way acquaint people with faculty and alumni and the work they are doing.

“First of all, I just enjoy talking to our faculty about their work and learning more about what colleagues in other disciplines are doing,” he said. “I also wanted a way that we could share more stories with each other in the college, as well as to the campus and community, and these conversations offer a completely different way to understand what people are doing than a written news story or a formal research presentation. I enjoy listening to some podcasts where people are interviewed, and feel like it’s a great way to get a sense both of people’s personalities and their work, in a way that other mediums don’t quite achieve.”

Marks said the work of the faculty and alumni has an impact on the world.

“Our faculty do creative work and research that has real impact on the world and often connects with broader societal issues like diversity or the environment,” he said. “It’s important to recognize the ongoing work of our faculty in this way, because it’s not always easy to tell these stories with data and dollar amounts. We can also learn so much from each other about the creative process and what makes us curious about the world and the arts, through hearing personal stories about the work our faculty are doing.”

Marks said he is enjoying learning more about the faculty.

“I have really loved having these structured opportunities to get to sit down and talk to these people about what interests them, and the work they are doing, and have even loved going back and listening to the conversations as I’ve edited them,” he said. “Then the best thing is getting to share all of that with the world.”

He is also surprised by all the connections uncovered.

“No one’s work happens in isolation from everyone else,” he said. “Visual art relates to music and history and dance and the environment — all these interesting interdependencies come out in these conversations and make it clear that the arts is its own ecosystem, and a crucial part of society more broadly.”