WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.,
May 14, 2015 /
Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), told graduates of the University of
North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) during her commencement address on
May 9 at the Stevens Center in downtown
Winston-Salem.
-- Artists are responsible for protecting freedom of expression,
"As
the world becomes smaller and more globally connected, you as artists
have a responsibility to protect freedom of expression and ensure that
no one's voice is silenced by threats, violence or prejudice, and that
different opinions can be shared without fear of personal or
professional attack," she said.
Boone Isaacs is serving her second term as president of the 7,000-member Academy, presenter of the Oscars.
"Every
year at the Oscars we honor the courage of filmmakers who cross borders
and test boundaries, who give voice to challenging ideas and
alternative points of view, and who encourage us to see the world and
those around us in new ways," she said. "As you embark on the next phase
of your careers in the arts, I hope you will carry that torch, tell the
truth about the world as you perceive it and change the narrative."
Boone
Isaacs told 235 recipients of bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of music,
master of fine arts and master of music degrees they should remain
faithful to their aspirations: "I want you all to follow your passion.
There may be detours … but just keep moving forward. Stay focused on
your goals and dreams. Happiness is a goal of life."
She
noted that "there will be times when your passion has to take a back
seat to the need to earn money. A career in the arts does not guarantee
financial stability, but if you're smart about finding ways to monetize
the work you love, the rewards will be immense."
As
head of CBI Enterprises, Inc., Boone Isaacs has consulted on marketing
efforts on such films as THE CALL, THE ARTIST, THE KING'S SPEECH,
PRECIOUS: BASED on the NOVEL "PUSH" BY SAPPHIRE, SPIDER-MAN 2 and TUPAC:
RESURRECTION. Previously, she oversaw marketing for New Line Cinema's
box office hits including AUSTIN POWERS:
THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME and RUSH HOUR; and for Paramount Pictures she
orchestrated publicity campaigns for the Best Picture winners FORREST GUMP and BRAVEHEART.
"As
a marketing and public relations executive both at major studios and
independent companies, I have had to learn to maneuver both sides of the
show business equation – the show side and the business side," she
said. "As creative artists nowadays, it's incumbent on you to understand
the business of the arts."
Boone
Isaacs told the graduates their conservatory education will serve them
well. "It's hard to see it now, but your time here will fundamentally
shape the way you look at the world, solve problems and challenges, and
build a sustainable future," she said.
Technological
advancements offer countless opportunities to this generation of
graduates, she said, but technology has not altered "the human love of
storytelling – whether it is music, painting, literature, dance or
film."
She
also asked the graduates to "give back to the community through the
nonprofit sector. There are so many youngsters who never get the chance
to experience the arts. I urge you to support arts education for the
underserved."
In
closing, Boone Isaacs advised graduates to "bring the light of humanity
and inspiration that you found here at UNC School of the Arts to the
world around you."
Presiding over his first UNCSA commencement, Chancellor Lindsay Bierman
spoke of mixed emotions. "I've loved seeing your work in our shops and
studios, and on our stages and screens. But I'm personally very, very
sad to see you go," he said. "Wherever you go from here, I want you to
know this: I will always admire your creativity, respect your
individuality, and applaud your extraordinary talents. The past two
semesters together have made me one of your biggest lifelong fans."
Wearing
custom-designed academic regalia created by UNCSA costume design
faculty and students, Bierman asked graduates to recall the moment they
informed their parents of their career choice. "Parents, let's be
honest. Some of you took the news pretty hard at first," he said. "You
might have hoped for finance, or engineering.
"But
you knew, in your heart, that your child has a rare ability and passion
that must be cultivated and nurtured and protected. That success is
defined by doing what you love, and loving what you do. That your
child's unique gift, discipline, and focus would be highly valued and
developed at a conservatory. That being true to oneself, and following
one's calling, can lead to the richest and most rewarding life of all."
Honorary doctorates were presented during the ceremony to Boone Isaacs and to Dean Emeritus John Sneden,
who led the School of Design and Production from 1970 to 2003 and
established the first graduate program at the School of the Arts.
Celebrating its 50
th anniversary, the University of
North Carolina School of the Arts
is America's first state-supported arts school, a unique stand-alone
public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component,
UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of
talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design and production.
Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts
opened in
Winston-Salem ("The City of Arts and Innovation") in 1965 and became part of the
University of North Carolina system when it was formed in 1972. For more information, visit
www.uncsa.edu.
SOURCE University of
North Carolina School of the Arts
RELATED LINKS
http://www.uncsa.edu
