The President’s Speaker Series for the Arts launched in 2013 aims to bring a global leader in the Arts to the University each year to speak about the value and meaning of the Arts to universities, communities and the nation. The UVA President’s Speaker Series for the Arts is supported by the Offices of the President and the Provost, the Vice Provost for the Arts and The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation.

2018-2019: Leslie Odom, Jr.  To Be UVA’s President’s Speaker for the Arts on January 19

JPJ Arena | 3pm | FREE with Tickets

Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom, Jr., who originated the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway megahit Hamilton, is coming to John Paul Jones Arena at 3pm on January 19 as the 2019 UVA President’s Speaker for the Arts. The multi-talented entertainer will discuss his life and career, the impact of the arts on education, and on the world in which we live during a brief address followed by a moderated conversation with University of Virginia President Jim Ryan.

Presented in conjunction with the University of Virginia’s 2019 Community MLK Celebration, the event is free and open to the public. Details regarding the distribution of general admission tickets can be seen here. The event will not conflict with the UVA Men’s Basketball game at Duke, which has now been scheduled for 6pm.

The President’s Speaker Series for the Arts is supported by the offices of the President and the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Vice Provost for the Arts, UVA Arts, the Office for Diversity and Equity, the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights, and The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. Media Sponsors are WTJU 91.1 FM, Charlottesville Radio Group (CRG) and C-VILLE Weekly.

Details & Full Press Release

2016-2017: Bryan Cranston To Be UVA’s President’s Speaker for the Arts on March 26

President’s Speaker Series for the Arts: A Conversation with Bryan Cranston – best-selling author and award-winning actor, screenwriter, director and producer – will be the University of Virginia’s guest for the third annual UVA President’s Speaker Series for the Arts. Cranston will reflect on his career as an artist and the impact that the arts have on our lives, education and the world. Academy Award-winning producer and University alumnus Mark Johnson will moderate the conversation, to be held at the John Paul Jones Arena on March 26 at 2 pm. It is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. #Hoos4Cranston

Details & Full press release 

2013-2014: The President’s Speaker Series for the Arts was launched in 2013 with Tina Fey as the inaugural Speaker. 

Tina Fey – actress, comedian, writer, producer and star of NBC’s “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live” – will return to the University of Virginia in the fall of 2013 to kick off a new speaker series highlighting the positive impact of arts on society. Fey studied playwriting and acting and graduated from the College of Arts & Sciences in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in drama.

Her appearance, set for Sept. 14, 2013  at 8:15 p.m., will be the inaugural address of the “President’s Speaker Series for the Arts,” an initiative of the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost.