Princetons Forward Fest a virtual public conversation series and a monthly highlight of the Universitys yearlong A Year of Forward Thinking community engagement campaign continues Thursday, Dec. 17, with a deep-dive into the arts and humanities.

Faculty and alumni will explore the many ways a humanist perspective is critical during these challenging times, interspersed with armchair peeks into the vibrant cultural and artistic achievements of Princeton faculty, alumni and students, followed by a performing arts showcase. The streaming event highlights how the Universitys forward thinkers are using interdisciplinary research, teaching and scholarship for real-world impact.

At a moment when we are all grasping for ways to make sense of the uncertainties our society is facing from global health to social equity and environmental concerns humanistic inquiry provides us tools for understanding what it means to be human, what matters in life and how we might find meaning in our rapidly changing world, said Eric Gregory, professor of religion, director of the Program in Humanistic Studies and chair of the Humanities Council.

He continued: The humanities have long been at the core of Princetons liberal arts tradition and today across nearly 50 academic departments, programs and centers scholars continue the interdisciplinary work of engaging diverse perspectives past and present and helping us better understand the complexity and grandeur of the human condition. I am pleased that this months Forward Fest will underscore how the Universitys faculty in the arts and humanities are addressing lifes big questions and our sense of its possibilities.

Gathering a range of voices, Forward Fest aims to spark dialogue across the global Princeton community students, faculty, staff, alumni and other interested thinkers to engage with and explore big ideas and their infinite possibilities for shaping the future.

Forward Fest events are free and open to the public. All programming will be livestreamed on the Forward Fest website and on the University's YouTube channel. Registration is not required, but attendees can RSVP to receive a resource guide and event updates. Captioning will be available for all sessions. After the event, all programming will be viewable on the Universitys YouTube channel.

The first Forward Fest, Oct. 23-24, focused on public health, justice and the 2020 election. The Nov. 20 Forward Fest plumbed the promise and peril of data science and artificial intelligence. View all the sessions on Princetons YouTube channel.

Lou Chen, a 2019 alumnus and program manager for arts outreach who oversees the Trenton Arts at Princeton initiative and conducts the Trenton Youth Orchestra, which he started as a sophomore, will provide the welcome and introduction to Thinking Forward Arts and Humanities.

Photo by

Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

In this time of physical distancing, our need to remain connected to one another is one thing that signals our humanity. Professors in a variety of disciplines will talk about how humanistic inquiry provides a useful lens for thinking about our current times and how reflecting on art and visual culture, music and literature helps us uncover connections that help us think forward new ideas in a variety of domains.

Thinking Forward Arts and Humanities

RakeshSatyal, a 2002 alumnus, will serve as moderator for the live discussion on Dec. 17. Forward Fest is free and open to the public.All programming will be livestreamed on the Forward Fest website and on theUniversitys YouTube channel.

Photo by Melisa Melling 02

The live 75-minute program at 4 p.m. will feature one-on-one conversations with four faculty members and conclude with a lively Q&A period. Attendees can engage in Q&A by emailing questions in advance to forwardfest@princeton.edu or in real-time in the chat on YouTube.

Lou Chen, a 2019 alumnus and program manager for arts outreach who oversees the Trenton Arts at Princeton initiative, will provide the welcome and introduction. Rakesh Satyal, a 2002 alumnus, novelist and executive editor at HarperCollins, will serve as moderator for the live discussion. Featured faculty panelists are:

Additional multimedia programming on Dec. 17 will highlight the creative process and societal impact of the visual and performing arts through teaching and performance in the virtual space.

Speakers in the virtual Dec. 17 event include: Rachael DeLue (left), the Christopher Binyon Sarofim '86 Professor in American Arts, and professor of art and archaeology and American studies; Beatriz Colomina, the Howard Crosby Butler Professor of the History of Architecture, professor architecture and co-director of the Program in Media and Modernity; Elizabeth Margulis, professor of music; and Autumn Womack, assistant professor of African American studies and English.

Photos (left to right): Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications; Andrew Wilkinson; and Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy

Arts Showcase

At 8 p.m., sit back, relax and settle into your own front row seat for a vibrant arts showcase featuring a cast of notable faculty, alumni, students and guests engaged in the performing and visual arts. Program highlights include:

Forward Fest will continue monthly throughout A Year of Forward Thinking, Oct. 2020-June 2021.

Learn more about A Year of Forward Thinking and Forward Fest on the website. Watch a video about A Year of Forward Thinking. Engage on social media with the hashtags #PrincetonForward, #ForwardThinkers and #ForwardFest, and follow Princeton University and Princeton Alumni on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Forward Fest public conversation series with faculty experts and alumni continues as part of A Year of Forward Thinking - Princeton University