How to Attend Atlanta University Arts Day Trip

The Atlanta University Arts Day Trip is a curated, immersive experience designed for students, educators, art enthusiasts, and cultural explorers seeking to engage with the rich artistic heritage of Atlantas historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Hosted annually by a coalition of Atlanta University Center (AUC) institutionsincluding Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and the Interdenominational Theological Centerthis day-long event offers guided tours, live performances, studio visits, and exclusive access to campus art collections that are rarely open to the public. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the trip fosters deeper cultural understanding, supports student artists, and strengthens community ties to the arts. For those unfamiliar with the event, attending can be a transformative experience that connects participants with the legacy of African American creativity, intellectual tradition, and visual storytelling. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to ensure you make the most of your Atlanta University Arts Day Trip, from planning and registration to on-site navigation and post-trip reflection.

Step-by-Step Guide

Attending the Atlanta University Arts Day Trip requires thoughtful preparation. Unlike a typical museum visit, this event spans multiple campuses, involves timed rotations, and often includes interactive components that demand advance coordination. Follow these seven detailed steps to ensure a seamless and enriching experience.

Step 1: Confirm Event Dates and Schedule

The Atlanta University Arts Day Trip typically occurs in late March or early April, aligning with National Arts in Education Month and the spring academic calendar. Dates vary slightly each year, so the first priority is verifying the official schedule. Visit the Atlanta University Center Consortium website or follow their social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) for announcements. Once confirmed, download or print the full day itinerary, which includes:

• Start and end times
• Rotation schedule between campuses
• Break times and meal locations
• Special guest artists or speakers
• Accessibility accommodations

Many participants assume the event is drop-in, but registration is mandatory. Missing the deadline may result in exclusion, as space is limited to preserve the intimate, educational nature of the experience.

Step 2: Register Through Official Channels

Registration is handled exclusively through the AUC Consortiums online portal. Navigate to auc.edu/artsdaytrip and select your participant type: student, educator, community member, or alumni. Each category may have different requirements:

• Students: Must provide valid student ID from any accredited institution
• Educators: Upload proof of employment (e.g., school ID, syllabus, or letterhead)
• Community Members: Complete a brief interest form explaining your connection to the arts
• Alumni: Use your alumni email or provide graduation year and degree

Registration typically opens 68 weeks before the event and closes 72 hours prior. Late registrations are not accepted. Upon successful submission, youll receive a confirmation email with a QR code for check-in and a digital map of the days route. Save this to your phone and print a backup copy.

Step 3: Plan Transportation and Parking

The day trip involves traveling between four campuses located within a 2-mile radius in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta. While some participants use ride-sharing services, the most efficient option is the AUC shuttle, which runs continuously from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on event day. Shuttle pickup points are located at:

• Clark Atlanta Universitys Main Entrance (1200 James P. Brawley Drive)
• Spelman Colleges South Gate (350 Spelman Lane)
• Morehouse Colleges West Entrance (830 Westview Drive)
• Central Parking Lot near the AUC Library (2010 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive)

If driving yourself, parking is available at each campus but limited. Designated visitor parking is marked with Arts Day Trip signs. Avoid parking on student lots or near athletic facilities. Carpooling with other attendees is encouraged to reduce congestion and promote sustainability. Use Waze or Google Maps to set your destination as AUC Arts Day Trip Central Hub for real-time shuttle tracking.

Step 4: Prepare Your Materials

Bring only what you need. Overpacking can hinder mobility during campus rotations. Essential items include:

• Confirmation QR code (digital or printed)
• Photo ID
• Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone paths and uneven sidewalks are common)
• Lightweight rain jacket or umbrella (spring weather in Atlanta is unpredictable)
• Reusable water bottle (refill stations available at each stop)
• Small notebook and pen (for journaling and sketching)
• Camera or smartphone (no tripods or professional equipment without prior approval)
• Low-light charging power bank (some galleries have limited outlets)

Do not bring large bags, food (except snacks), or pets. Security personnel will conduct bag checks at each campus entrance.

Step 5: Arrive Early and Check In

Arrive at your designated pickup point no later than 7:45 a.m. The shuttle departs promptly at 8:00 a.m., and latecomers cannot be accommodated. Upon arrival, proceed to the registration tent where staff will scan your QR code and issue a color-coded wristband. This wristband determines your group rotation order and grants access to all venues.

At check-in, youll also receive a printed guidebook with artist bios, campus histories, and QR codes linking to audio commentary. Take a moment to review the map and locate restrooms, first aid stations, and quiet zones. The guidebook is yours to keep and serves as a valuable reference after the event.

Step 6: Follow the Rotation Schedule

The day is divided into four main rotations, each lasting 7590 minutes. Groups are assigned a color (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow) and rotate in sequence. Your wristband color determines your order. A typical rotation looks like this:

1. Clark Atlanta University The Robert S. Duncanson Art Gallery: Explore 19th-century African American landscape painting and contemporary responses to the diaspora.
2. Spelman College The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art: View rotating exhibitions curated by student interns, often featuring emerging Black women artists.
3. Morehouse College The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Art Wing: Experience multimedia installations tied to civil rights, spirituality, and social justice.
4. Interdenominational Theological Center The Theological Arts Studio: Participate in a live painting session or poetry reading with faculty and graduate students.

Each stop includes a 15-minute guided tour led by a student docent, followed by 4560 minutes of open exploration. Take notes, ask questions, and engage with the artists if present. Dont rushthis is not a race. The value lies in quiet observation and personal connection.

Step 7: Participate in the Closing Reflection Circle

The day concludes at 5:30 p.m. with a communal reflection circle at the AUC Library Courtyard. Light refreshments are served, and attendees are invited to share one insight, artwork, or moment that resonated with them. This is not mandatory, but highly encouraged. Many participants form lasting connections here. Youll also receive a digital certificate of participation and access to a private online gallery of all artworks featured that day.

Best Practices

Maximizing your Atlanta University Arts Day Trip experience goes beyond logisticsit requires mindset, etiquette, and intentionality. These best practices ensure you honor the institutions, the artists, and your fellow participants.

Practice Active Listening

Student docents are often undergraduates with deep personal ties to the artworks they present. Avoid interrupting or dominating conversations. Listen to understand, not to respond. Ask open-ended questions like: What inspired you to choose this piece for the exhibition? or How does this work reflect your own journey?

Respect the Space

Many galleries are housed in historic buildings with fragile lighting, humidity-sensitive materials, and delicate installations. Do not touch any artwork, lean on display cases, or block pathways. Use flash photography only if explicitly permitted. Some pieces may have no photos signsalways comply.

Engage with Student Artists

One of the most powerful aspects of the day trip is encountering student artists in their studios. If you see someone painting, sculpting, or performing, pause and watch. Offer quiet appreciation. If invited to speak, respond with curiosity, not judgment. Many of these students are presenting their work publicly for the first time.

Support the Ecosystem

Art is not free to produce. Consider purchasing a small piece from the student art market held during lunch (usually located at the AUC Library Quad). Proceeds go directly to the artists and fund future exhibitions. Even a $10 purchase makes a meaningful impact.

Be Mindful of Cultural Context

The art presented is deeply rooted in African American history, spirituality, resistance, and joy. Avoid reducing works to inspirational or beautiful without acknowledging their political, historical, or social dimensions. Educate yourself beforehand by reading about the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and Atlantas role in shaping Black cultural institutions.

Stay Hydrated and Pace Yourself

Walking between campuses and standing during tours can be physically demanding. Take breaks when needed. Use the quiet zonesdesignated benches under trees or in chapel alcoveswhere you can sit, reflect, and recharge. Theres no shame in stepping away for five minutes to collect your thoughts.

Document Thoughtfully

While photography is allowed in most areas, prioritize presence over documentation. Ask yourself: Am I capturing this to remember it, or to share it? The most valuable souvenirs are the questions you carry home, not the photos you post online.

Tools and Resources

A successful Atlanta University Arts Day Trip is supported by a curated set of digital and physical resources. Below are the most essential tools recommended by past participants and AUC staff.

Official Website and App

The auc.edu/artsdaytrip website is your primary hub for registration, updates, and downloadable materials. The AUC Arts Companion App (available on iOS and Android) offers:

• Real-time shuttle tracking
• Audio tours in English and ASL
• Artist interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
• Interactive map with restrooms, exits, and emergency contacts
• Offline access to all guidebook content

Download the app before arrival and enable notifications for last-minute schedule changes.

Recommended Pre-Trip Reading

Deepen your understanding with these foundational texts:

• Black Art: A Cultural History by Richard J. Powell
• The Black Arts Movement: Literary Nationalism in the 1960s and 1970s by James Edward Smethurst
• Spelman College: The First 125 Years by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham
• Art in the Age of the African American Experience (AUC Publications, 2022)

Many of these are available as free PDFs through the AUC Librarys digital archive. Visit auc.edu/library/digital-arts to access them.

Art Identification Tools

Use these apps to learn more about artworks on-site:

• Google Arts & Culture: Scan a piece to find related works, artist history, and museum context.
• Smartify: Scan QR codes on exhibits to hear curator commentary (many pieces on the tour have Smartify tags).
• Art Detective: A crowdsourced app that helps identify unknown artists or stylesuseful for spotting emerging talents.

Accessibility Resources

The AUC Consortium is committed to full accessibility. All venues are ADA-compliant. Request accommodations during registration:

• Wheelchair-accessible shuttles
• Large-print guidebooks
• Sign language interpreters
• Quiet rooms for sensory-sensitive attendees
• Audio descriptions for visually impaired visitors

Submit requests at least 10 days in advance for optimal support.

Post-Trip Engagement Tools

After the event, stay connected:

• Join the AUC Arts Alumni Network on LinkedIn
• Subscribe to the Atlanta University Center Arts Review newsletter
• Follow @aucarts on Instagram for year-round exhibitions and student features
• Participate in the annual Arts Day Reflection Contestsubmit a 300-word essay or 2-minute video for a chance to be featured on the AUC website

Real Examples

Real stories illustrate the transformative power of the Atlanta University Arts Day Trip. Below are three firsthand accounts from past participants.

Example 1: Jamal, High School Art Teacher from Decatur, GA

I brought 15 of my AP Art students. We spent 20 minutes in front of a single piece at Spelmana mixed-media portrait of a Black girl with a crown of circuit boards. The student docent, a sophomore named Tia, explained how her grandmother, a seamstress, taught her to see patterns in everything. That moment changed how my students think about art. One of them wrote a poem about the beauty in broken circuits and entered it in the state arts competition. She won first place. We didnt just see artwe saw possibility.

Example 2: Dr. Elena Ruiz, Retired Professor of Art History

Ive taught African American art for 38 years. I thought Id seen it all. Then I stood in the ITC Theological Arts Studio and watched a graduate student paint a mural while reciting Langston Hughes in a call-and-response with a choir of seminarians. The colors, the rhythm, the sacrednessit was like witnessing a living archive. I cried. Not because it was beautiful, but because it was alive. This isnt a field trip. Its a resurrection.

Example 3: Marcus and Priya, First-Time Visitors from Ohio

We came because we were curious. We didnt know what to expect. We left with a new understanding of what education can be. The way the students spoke about their worknot as products, but as prayerswas unlike anything wed experienced. We bought a small ceramic bowl from a Morehouse senior. Its on our kitchen table now. Every time we eat, we remember that art isnt just for museums. Its for living.

Example 4: The Atlanta Public Schools Initiative

Each year, the AUC Consortium partners with Atlanta Public Schools to provide 200+ free spots for Title I high schools. In 2023, a group of 12th graders from Westlake High created a collaborative mural inspired by their day trip. The mural now hangs in the schools main hallway with a plaque that reads: Created in response to the Atlanta University Arts Day Trip, April 2023. We saw art. We became art.

FAQs

Do I need to be a student or affiliated with an HBCU to attend?

No. The Atlanta University Arts Day Trip is open to the public. While students and educators receive priority registration, community members, alumni, and art lovers from any background are welcome. The only requirement is completing the registration form and adhering to the event guidelines.

Is the event suitable for children?

Yes, children ages 10 and older are welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. There are no dedicated childrens activities, but many artworks are visually engaging and accessible to younger audiences. We encourage families to use the guidebooks Questions for Young Explorers section to spark conversation.

Can I bring a group larger than 10 people?

Group registrations are accepted for organizations such as schools, churches, and arts nonprofits. Groups of 1125 must register as a cohort and designate one point of contact. Groups larger than 25 may be split across multiple rotation times to preserve the intimate experience. Contact artsdaytrip@auc.edu for group inquiries.

What happens if it rains?

The event proceeds rain or shine. All indoor venues are climate-controlled and accessible. Shuttles are covered, and umbrellas are permitted. In the event of severe weather, updates will be sent via email and the AUC Arts Companion App. No refunds are issued for weather-related disruptions.

Are meals provided?

A light lunch is included and served at the AUC Library Quad between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. The menu features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. If you have dietary restrictions, indicate them during registration. Outside food is not permitted on campus grounds.

Can I visit the campuses outside of Arts Day Trip?

Yes. All four institutions welcome visitors during regular business hours. However, access to galleries, studios, and special exhibitions is often restricted without a guided tour. Arts Day Trip is the only opportunity to experience these spaces with student-led commentary and curated context.

Is there a cost to attend?

No. The Atlanta University Arts Day Trip is completely free. All costsincluding shuttle service, materials, and lunchare covered by grants, institutional funding, and private donors. Registration is required, but there is no fee.

Can I volunteer to help with the event?

Yes. Volunteers are needed for registration, wayfinding, and gallery assistance. Applications open in January and are open to current students, alumni, and community members. Visit auc.edu/volunteer/artsday to apply.

How do I share my experience online?

Use the hashtag

AUCArtsDay and tag @aucarts on Instagram and Twitter. Your posts may be featured on the official AUC Arts Day Trip page. Please avoid tagging individual students or artists unless you have their permission.

Is this event happening every year?

Yes. The Atlanta University Arts Day Trip has been held annually since 2010 and is expected to continue indefinitely. Dates are announced each January.

Conclusion

The Atlanta University Arts Day Trip is more than an educational outingit is a pilgrimage into the heart of African American cultural expression. It is a day when art ceases to be passive and becomes a living conversation between past and present, student and teacher, community and institution. By attending, you do not merely observe artyou become part of its ongoing legacy.

This guide has equipped you with the knowledge to navigate the logistics, honor the context, and deepen your engagement with the works and voices youll encounter. But the true value of the experience lies beyond the itinerary. It lives in the quiet moments: the pause before a painting, the hesitation before asking a question, the shared silence in a gallery where words feel unnecessary.

As you prepare for your visit, carry with you not just a map, but an open heart. Let curiosity lead you. Let humility guide your questions. Let gratitude shape your presence. The artists, students, and institutions of the Atlanta University Center are not simply showing you their workthey are offering you a doorway into a world shaped by resilience, imagination, and unyielding beauty.

Attend not to check a box. Attend to be changed.