Imagine RIT festival opens with new performing arts competition

Rochester Institute of Technology President David Munson is an accomplished electrical engineer specializing in imaging systems and radar. But he also plays saxophone, sings and even has a rap video. That’s why he’s bringing a new twist to this year’s Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival — a performing arts competition for students.

Expect music, theater, comedy, dancing, juggling — pretty much any creative talent that can be performed on stage at the free community event.

More than 30,000 people each year attend Imagine RIT, which features hundreds of projects created by students, faculty and staff for the public to see and, in many cases, touch and experience. From glass-blowing, space exploration projects, concrete canoes, technological inventions and robotic machines, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the 11th annual festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28 on the RIT campus.

This year, Munson challenged students to compete on the evening before Imagine RIT begins.  Munson, who plans to expand performing arts opportunities on campus, will emcee as the top 10 finalists compete from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 27, in RIT’s Ingle Auditorium.

The winning performer or performers will be invited to the festival’s opening ceremony the next morning. The competition, as well as the festival, is free and open to the public.

The challenge is of personal importance to Munson, who was formerly dean of engineering at the University of Michigan prior to joining RIT last year. He noted that many engineers there also were involved in music or other performing arts, and he felt that blending of science and the arts attracted students and encouraged creativity.

RIT for decades has been known to provide exceptional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. Munson wants an emphasis on “STEAM” — adding in the arts — and encourages more interdisciplinary collaboration between students and faculty.

“While RIT is primarily known for STEM, it also has a rich history in the arts,” Munson said. “And now RIT is one of the top few universities working in the intersection of technology, the arts and design.”

Encouraging students to explore performing arts will serve students well at RIT, which already has strong programs in science, technology and the arts.

RIT recently joined the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities, which Munson founded while at the University of Michigan. According to its mission statement, the alliance is intended to “advance the full range of arts-integrative research, curricula, programs and creative practice to acknowledge, articulate and expand the vital role of higher education in our global society.”

He hopes RIT students, faculty and staff will continue to use the festival as an outlet for their dreams and creativity.

“Let’s inspire the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, math, design, business, health sciences, the liberal arts and the arts,” Munson said.

For more information about the festival and to experience the next generation of innovative ideas, visit https://www.rit.edu/imagine.