Giving Day 2016

Founded in 1971, Kresge College was designed with the concept of participatory democracy as a means of encouraging a strong sense of community. Its founding vision encouraged creativity, community, and individuality.

Kresge College is creating a new series of courses (or “labs”) dedicated to hands-on, experiential, practical learning where students can meet with like-minded peers once a week and exchange ideas. 

The photography lab will give students guidance in developing skills and creative approaches, creating an environment for critique and feedback. Students can explore photography inside and outside classroom contexts, discuss examples of photographic art in various communities and subgenera, and apply principles to their own work in a final portfolio.

The creative writing lab will give students the opportunity to develop independent writing projects in a course designed for aspiring poets, essayists, novelists, playwrights, and journalists. Perhaps because Kresge is known for its creativity and independent spirit, it's also known for its association with writing. More than half the core course faculty are published fiction writers and poets. The final project will be a work of writing in any genre to be shared with others in the class for questions and critical feedback.

The music lab will explore practical introductions to prosody and poetics, musical forms, text-setting, and theories of performance and reception. Students can also pursue individual and collaborative projects connecting text, music, and performance. Writers with no musical experience and musicians who want more experience with text can expect to collaborate in ways that will expand their horizons. Songwriters with experience both in poetry/lyrics and composition can expect to gain experience as performers for a unique and highly attentive audience. The final project will represent students’ ongoing work to incorporate the course into the creative process.

If you share Kresge’s commitment to experiential learning, join the game and give today! A generous donor has provided a 1:1 match up to $1,500 for gifts made on Giving Day!