With transportation costs and admission fees, finding access to art and cultural exhibitions can prove pricey. Luckily, UT holds countless free artistic showcases at campus museums and cultural centers. To assist with the affordable search for displays of talent and thought, The Daily Texan compiled a list of budget-friendly exhibitions for students to explore. 

Words into Worlds: Creating Place in the Theater

The success of a live theater production relies heavily on the communication between the playwright and their scenic designer, a concept demonstrated by various set models at the Harry Ransom Center. The “Words into Worlds” exhibit showcases the figurative worlds of playwrights such as Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller brought to life by artists such as Jo Mielziner and Boris Aronson. The free exhibition came to campus on Aug. 26 and will remain on display until Feb. 4 of next year, revealing the importance of thoughtful collaboration. 

If we are here…

Campus’ cultural powerhouse, the Visual Arts Center, will present the “If we are here…” exhibition from Sept. 22 to March 9. The exhibition combines the viewpoints of five Black feminists whose works address topics such as the intersection of culture and ecology, the feeling of discontent and how creativity flourishes in unlikely situations. Free and open to the public, the showcase features visual art that communicates the multitude of emotions involved in the chaos of modern-day society.

Exhibit: Foraging the Literature for Useful Plants of the Past & Present

The Life Science Library provides a glimpse into the pre-agrarian practice of foraging through the “Foraging the Literature for Useful Plants of the Past & Present” exhibition. According to the UT Libraries website, the exhibit showcases structuring a relationship with plants in order to know when to harvest and use them. Modern foraging practices come to light as well, encouraging people to become familiar with plant species native to Texas and surrounding areas. Opened on Aug. 21, the educational display will remain available until Dec. 22. 

If the Sky Were Orange: Art in the Time of Climate Change

Jeff Goodell, the guest curator for this exhibition, reached across a number of the Blanton Museum of Art’s gallery spaces to investigate the complex history and urgency of the climate crisis. The two-part exhibition features works from the museum’s Paper Vault, The Contemporary Project and Film & Video Gallery alongside texts from well-known scientists and writers analyzing the artwork through the lens of climate change. The exhibition opens Saturday, Sept. 9, and closes on Feb. 11 and includes free entrance for UT ID holders.