While many administrators try to supportstudent groups, some undergraduates say officialsaren't' familiar enough with the arts to make adifference.
"The relationship between this groups [and theadministration] is good," says Matthew M. Briones'94, president of the Callbacks, an acapella singing group. "But on the whole Idon't think the attention to the arts is as goodas it could be."
For example, Briones says administrationofficials are sometimes unaware of even suchmundane details as the way choral groups scheduleauditions.
"I think that's kind of sad that they're out oftouch with something as simple as that," he says."But on the overall, it's not bad."
University support for arts groups may differaccording to the groups' focus.
"The situation varies for whatever type of artthe groups does," Aker says. "I think dramareceives quite a bit of support. Other things suchas film making don't receive as much as theyshould, and OFA is kind of inconsistent."
The Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club, forexample, receives full funding to cover theoperational costs of mounting 20 performances asyear.
"I think the University is increasinglysupportive of arts in general," says Sarah T.Stewart '95, the dramatic club president.
But the club is one of few that receives directfinancing from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.Its grant is not from the Office for the Arts.
Office for the Arts
OFA gave $20,000 in grants this year, aswell as an additional $5,000 for ArtsFirst-related events.
Any member of the University community canapply for grants, says Cathy McCormick, OFA'sassistant director. But to get money, the eventshould be directed at a Harvard audience.
"There should be a real ripple effect in theundergraduate community," McCormick says.
While McCormick notes that the office is partof the University, she acknowledges that therehave been no official attempts to bringundergraduates and administrators closer together.
This weekend, the office is working with theUniversity to put together Arts First. By nextweek, the OFA will have returned to itscustomary--and somewhat solitary--role.
"We consider ourselves an advocate forundergraduates in the arts," she says