To be fair, every month is Art Appreciation Month at the University of Utah, but we’ll happily join the rest of world in celebrating the power and influence of the arts this August.

In fact, did you know the U issued more than a quarter of a million tickets to arts experiences like performances, exhibitions and screenings last year alone? It’s true, and not only is the U a cultural hub for the state of Utah, it’s a mecca for creativity, inspiration, entertainment and exploration for our students as well.

Thanks to the U’s one-of-a-kind Arts Pass program funded by Fine Arts Fees, students can use their Ucard to get free or deeply discounted access to hundreds of arts experiences on campus each year. This includes events produced by the College of Fine Arts (art exhibitions, dance performances, film screenings, theatre productions, and music concerts) and the U’s three professional arts orgs: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, UtahPresents and Pioneer Theatre Company.

The thing is, while these experiences can be wildly entertaining and engaging, they’re even more than that.

Did you also know more and more research is showing the positive impacts of the arts on education? The findings are significant: exposure to the arts is linked with better critical thinking skills, greater social tolerance, a greater likelihood of seeking out art and culture in the future and better workforce opportunities. Not to mention, they can make for way more interesting dates than mini-golf.

The arts aren’t just beauty and aesthetic. They’re how we explore societal issues. They’re how we document our humanity. They’re how we express ourselves. They’re the common language we share when words alone don’t suffice.

So, here’s the scoop: You can show up to the box office or museum (this includes events with the Departments of Art & Art History, Film & Media Arts, Theatre, the Schools of Dance and Music, and our professional arts organizations on campus: Utah Museum of Fine Arts, UtahPresents and Pioneer Theatre Company), show your UCard and get access to all the art your curious heart desires!

Find box office locations and what events are happening when and where by visiting utah.edu/arts.

Will you be one of the students who attends the ballet for the first time? Or will you cast your vote for the best student animated film? Or maybe you’re more into choral concerts or witnessing global artists you’ve never even heard of before.

Whatever it is, join us. And start thinking differently with Arts Pass. Your brain, your heart and your wallet will thank you.