Fort Smith Four
Covering Local News and Local Issues
Promoting the Arts With a Prize
Lauren Schluterman
October 7, 2015
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS) class organization offers reward to registered student organizations (RSOs) for highest attendance to productions for the semester. UAFS has a leadership class designed to learn how to work within a non-profit organization and this class has become a requirement for the BSOL program of Organizational Leadership. The students in this class are required to work with a non-profit, learn the ends and out, and report on their experience at the end of the semester; however, many students did not have the time to volunteer with a non-profit on top of this three hour class, their other classes, and work. After some discussion with the professor of this class last semester students came up with a solution.
They put together a group on campus called Encore 360. They recognized the lack of attendance and support for the arts on the UAFS campus and made it their goal to change that. They got a schedule of all the theater and music performances for the semester, then went to the big bosses of UAFS to get the prize money they knew would bring in the crowds. The administration, much to Encore 360’s delight and surprise, was very receptive and funded their cause with a $1,000 donation. “We think this is a great idea to get students in the door to the performances they can already attend. They get to go for free and have the chance for a reward at the end which is a win win for them. Our hope is that
because of this they will continue to come back because they see how amazing our theater and music departments are.” said UAFS administration.
After a successful meeting with UAFS administration, Encore 360 set off advertising and getting people to attend these performances.They set up a sign in book at the entrance of every performance and made the rule that when you sign in you put which organization you were with to keep track of who had the most attendance; they even let people who were not part of an organization but came with people who were, or were sent by people who were, sign in with that organization. This was huge success. Attendance increased, there was more support for the arts, and people genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves. UAFS sophomore Amanda Gramlich commented, “I am so glad my sorority encouraged us to go to these performances for a chance to win money for our organization. It would be great to win, but I had no idea how talented our theater students are. I can’t wait to come to the next performance!” The prize money became an afterthought almost, but when the semester ended the group with the highest attendance was ecstatic to win.
Encore 360 was such a success that the professor decided to continue it on this semester as well. They got their officers selected and committees put together and off they went. Problems quickly arose when they found out they wouldn’t be receiving funding for this project again. No one wanted to go just because they could go for free, like most people the UAFS students wanted to get something out of it. Encore 360 president Corey Waldrop stated, “We were not really sure what to do when we found out we wouldn’t be funded. We truely believe students would go to performances just because they enjoyed them if we could get them in the door one time, but getting them to attend the first time without an incentive was the difficult
part.” Thankfully they did not give up. Corey went to Dr. Dave Stevens, UAFS’s student activities director and student government association advisor, and pitched Encore 360’s cause. He agreed it was a worthy cause and decided to fund the group for this semester. Thanks to Dr. Stevens’ donation, Encore 360 will be offering prize money for organizations that get the most attendance at theater and music performances in one semester.
Encore 360 has hit the ground running since getting the good news that they would indeed have the $1,000 prize for the organization with the highest attendance. They have been tabling, hanging up flyers, and blowing up social media. Students that are in RSOs on the UAFS campus should really take advantage of this competition. Tickets to performances are free to all UAFS students and the winners get $1,000 for their organization, so there is no downside. Encore 360 marketing committee member Kristan Wilson encourages, “If you aren’t already, follow us on twitter and instagram: @uafstheaterart and like us on facebook: UAFS Theater & Art so your organization can keep up with upcoming performances and have a chance to win $1,000.” It really is a great cause and a win win for everyone.