In a first, all disciplines of IDEAschool at EIT will be combining to showcase the work of their graduating students in an Arts Festival at the end of the month. Previously, graduates of screen production, fashion, music, and art and design had their own showcase events in different venues around the region spread out over a few weeks. This year one big celebration is taking place at EIT. “The idea behind the Arts Festival is to showcase the breadth of creativity our students possess,” says Professor Matthew Marshall, IDEAschool head of school. “We want to celebrate their talent and acknowledge the hard work they’ve put into their studies. “We also want to celebrate the fact that the creative arts is a significant part of the identity of EIT, and what better way to convey that by having an Arts Festival on campus.” The IDEAschool Arts Festival will kick off at 4pm on 29 November with the opening of the art and design exhibition. It will continue into the night with film screenings, followed by the school’s legendary fashion show and conclude with epic performances by music students. The Arts Festival also signals a “coming together” of the various arts disciplines at IDEAschool, which will be reflected in an expansion of the Bachelor of Creative Practice degree from 2019. “Students from all disciplines in the school – art, design, music, fashion and screen – will be able to continue their studies in the degree and also explore areas outside their own field,” says Professor Marshall. “This is an exciting development as it will better prepare students for the diverse and varied careers they will have when they graduate.” Scholars restaurant at EIT will be the Festival Hub, open as a bar throughout the evening. There will be paella and BBQ food stalls available for purchase. While the film screening and fashion showcase are by invitation only due to limited seating, the events will be live streamed to Scholars. The art, design and screen production showcases will be open to the public at EIT from Friday 30 November to Sunday 2 December from 10am until 4pm for those who aren’t able to come on the night. Photo: Misty Ratima, a graduate in the 2017 IDEAschool fashion showcase, has been a contender in the inaugural television show, Project Runway. This year the fashion showcase will be part of an IDEAschool Arts Festival celebration at EIT on 29 November. Posted: 25 November 2018