Teenage brains aren’t broken, they’re ready to flourish
March 6, 2026
This week, cheer on women’s tennis, imagine a brighter future at the Buffett Institute’s spring symposium and learn about the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of AI and education. Here’s what to add to your calendar. As always, all are welcome!
Art and access
Attend the opening reception of the Dittmar Gallery’s 2026 community show, “I was here.” Art represents our curiosities, communities and aspirations, but artistic spaces and practices have not always been accessible to everyone. For this community show, artists considered how their perspectives could be integrated to manipulate and redefine art in spaces to reclaim personal identities, art practices and cultures that have complex histories.
The reception begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, in Dittmar Memorial Gallery, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston.
A better world
As the world faces myriad challenges, the Buffett Institute’s spring symposium, “Brave New Futures,” considers bold new visions for building a more just and sustainable future. The symposium will open with a performance by rapper and poet Omar Offendum featuring multi-instrumentalist Zafer Tawil, followed by a full day of programming with international thinkers on topics such as the future of work and the arts’ role in social change.
The symposium’s opening performance is at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, in the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. Register here. See the full symposium schedule here.
Serving aces
Women’s tennis takes on USC in the latest game of the Wildcats’ homestand stretch.
The ’Cats play at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, at Combe Tennis Center, 2311 N. Campus Drive, Evanston.
Cultural celebration
Celebrate and learn about Persian and Turkic culture during the third annual Nowruz event series. At the kickoff event, sample ethnic cuisine and enjoy a live multicultural performance with Chicago-based diaspora communities. Future events this spring include a four-part film series and literary translation workshop.
The event begins at noon on Monday, April 13, in room 108, Harris Hall, 1881 Sheridan Road, Evanston. See the full 2026 Nowruz schedule.
Navigating a changing landscape
Medill’s Jeremy Gilbert and McCormick’s Sara Owsley Sood take part in a distinguished panel event, “AI & the Future of Education,” moderated by Karen Smilowitz. They will discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents for learning outcomes, academic integrity, institutional governance and the evolving roles of educators and students.
The panel is at noon on Tuesday, April 14, in the Wildcat Room, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston. Register here.
Tides of progress
Join curators for a tour of “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back: The Continued Struggle to Treat Mental Illness in America.” Created to complement the traveling exhibit “Care & Custody: Past Responses to Mental Health,” this exhibit explores societal and medical treatments of mental illness from the 18th century to today, highlighting patterns of advancement and retreat that continue to the present day.
The tour is at noon on Tuesday, April 14, in Galter Health Sciences Library, Ward Building, 303 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Register here.
