Renowned Artist and MacArthur 'Genius' Liz Lerman to Lecture on How Creativity Emerges From Uncertainty

The U of A's Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Art, will host internationally renowned choreographer and arts educator, MacArthur Fellow and Guggenheim Fellow Liz Lerman for a visiting artist lecture on March 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Faulkner Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. 

Lerman's lecture, "Shape and Momentum: How We Communicate, Work and Plan for an Uncertain Future," explores creative tools for navigating times of uncertainty. Drawing on themes from her forthcoming book, Shape and Momentum: An Insomniac's Guide for a World in Constant Motion (June 2026), Lerman will blend physics, personal experience and artistic practice to demonstrate how creativity emerges from change.  

Lerman is the creator of the Critical Response Process®, a feedback method used by artists, educators, designers and organizations around the world. Developed in the 1990s, the process transforms critique into a structured dialogue that helps creators refine ideas, strengthen communication and connect their work more effectively with audiences. She has written extensively about the method, and her facilitation practice has supported creative development for institutions such as the Yale School of Drama and the New York Theatre Workshop. 

Her visit marks a significant opportunity for U of A students, faculty and the broader Arkansas community to engage directly with one of today's most influential figures in contemporary socially engaged art. The lecture is a collaborated effort between Fulbright and the School of Art whose faculty and staff, in addition to attending the lecture, will be meeting with Lerman and her team for professional development. 

"Liz Lerman's visit reflects Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences' commitment to positioning the University of Arkansas as a destination for internationally recognized artists," said Lia Uribe, associate dean of arts and humanities of Fulbright College. "By bringing artists of this caliber to campus, we create opportunities for students, faculty and the public to engage with global perspectives that are driving a bright future for the arts in this era." 

The School of Art has also been working closely with Lerman and her team over the school year on a strategic framework for the school. "Our partnership led by Liz Lerman has been valuable as we think about the future of the School of Art," said Rachel Debuque, director of the School of Art. "Her expertise in creative practice, collaborative learning and arts administration is informing the modern model of arts education we're building, and we're grateful for her team's partnership." 

Lerman is a choreographer, writer and educator, and the recipient of a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2002 MacArthur "Genius Grant" Award. Current projects include building an online resource and archive, the Atlas of Creative Tools, a registered trademark, and Legacy Unboxed, also trademarked, which includes site-specific research performance events trademarked as My Body is a Library. She founded and led the Dance Exchange from 1976 until 2011. Lerman is the author of several books, including a forthcoming collection of essays, and currently an Institute Professor at Arizona State University and Fellow at the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. 

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the campus calendar link.