School of Performing Arts Celebrates ISU Artists with #shareyourheART Series

As performances were canceled and classes moved online due to COVID-19, Meg Stover knew there was never a more important time to highlight the talent and passion of Idaho State University students.

The business and promotions manager for ISU’s School of Performing Arts normally promotes live theatre, dance and music events at the university. But when campus closed, Stover wanted to ensure students and supporters could continue sharing their love of the arts from home.

“Like the rest of ISU, our students felt the rug had been pulled out from under them with canceled and postponed shows,” Stover said. “I was determined to find a way to connect to our students and connect the students with the community who loves them and would be missing their spring performances.”

Stover quickly reached out to the SOPA community for submissions for the online #shareyourheART series, named to recognize ISU students’ incredible talent and heart. 

Music students sent excerpts from concertos, and theatre students sent clowning routines and renditions of songs from musicals. An ISU alumnus recorded the results of two months of piano lessons. 

SOPA supporters interacted with the videos on Facebook and Instagram. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, Stover said, and underscores the importance of sharing art in periods of stress and disconnection. 

 “The arts have a unique way of bringing us all together regardless of where we are,” she said. “There is also something truly special about seeing people where they are — still working, still creating — getting through this hard time by digging deep, using only the resources they have on hand. It's humbling and such an honor to watch.” 

SOPA will accept #shareyourheART submissions through the summer. To contribute to the series, please contact Meg Stover at stovmega@isu.edu.