Former University President Jim Ryan demonstrated genuine support for student arts organizations through his attendance at countless student-organized events and administrative support over the course of his term.
As the University enters a new chapter, students and alumni are reflecting on Ryan’s impact and involvement in the University arts scene, while also voicing hopes for growth, at a school where creativity and freedom of expression are deeply ingrained in the culture.
Sam Solliday, Hullabahoos social chair and second-year Commerce student, noted Ryan’s unwavering support for the arts, as the a cappella group was often invited to sing at Carr’s Hill during open house events.
“He was so open to having stuff like that [which] was so great,” Solliday said. “I hope that the next president is just as welcoming and encourages students to interact with them.”
Carr’s Hill is the home of the University president, with a pavilion level for hosting events with students and faculty. In 2020, Ryan introduced Arts on the Hill, a recurring event on Carr's Hill that hosted artists both from the University and across the world each month during the academic year.
Ryan was eager to prioritize the University’s own acts, including acts like the Virginia Belles a cappella group, former University director of jazz performance John D’earth and Shakespeare on the Lawn in the highly sought-after event. Campbell Kirby, former Shakespeare on the Lawn vice president and Class of 2025 alumnus, expressed appreciation for Ryan’s shared desire to make classical theater accessible to everyone.
“He was genuinely interested [in SOTL] and engaged in the work that we were doing, which wasn't a shock for me, as I've interacted with him in other capacities and he was a very genuine and kind person every time,” Kirby said.
The group got the opportunity to perform an act entitled “The Bard on The Hill” in February 2025 from a cold email to Ryan, pitching their act while stating why their work is important. Ryan went for it, which Kirby said demonstrates the attitude Ryan’s team had when it came to supporting student-led arts at the University.
“It was really wonderful to see how when he said that he cared about something or he wanted to give something a platform … he meant it,” Kirby said. “To be able to go to Arts on the Hill, show our work, show the effort that we put into the theater and how much we care about it, and then to see him truly engage with it was a really special experience.”
Ryan further encouraged arts on Grounds by attending student events and using his platform to create visibility for their work. Zoe Benton, Hauntings on the Hill co-chair and fourth-year Engineering student, remarked that Ryan attended and helped advertise Hauntings, Brown College’s annual student-created haunted house, after she simply reached out to him and asked if he would like to attend.
During his term, Ryan consistently showed understanding and support for the hard work that goes into producing the many art related events on Grounds, including Hauntings, which raises money for charity through Brown College. Benton noted how Ryan even did a feature on his Instagram on Hauntings to help promote the event.
“Jim Ryan actually said that he did not like haunted houses, but he still wanted to go because he thought it was very cool that we were being creative and crafting these rooms, and also that we were helping raise money for charity,” Benton said. “He was there for the art, not for the scares.”
According to Benton, who was also involved in Overcranked, he attended this year’s Overcranked Film Festival, where students have the opportunity to premiere films that they have written and directed over the course of two semesters.
Through attending events such as these, along with starting Arts on the Hill, Ryan simultaneously supported community artists while making unique performances accessible to students and community members who might not have gotten the chance to experience them otherwise. However, the Ryan administration had its flaws regarding accessibility in the arts, despite good intentions.
First Year Players is a student-led group that puts on shows where the entire cast is comprised of first-years, giving them an opportunity to get involved with University drama right from the beginning. The troupe has over 100 members, but performs in the empty Student Activities Building where they had to put in their own stage.
Caroline Jareb, former First Year Players producer and Class of 2025 alumnus, expressed concern about the administrative complications that the executives of First Year Players have to deal with in order to put on a show.
"It's great we have this building … but it's still not like the best space to perform in and there's always a lot of red tape,” Jareb said.
Virginia Lee, co-president of the Cavalier Symphony Orchestra and fourth-year College student, expressed concern for the accessibility of University arts due to the difficulties that accompany funding.
“Our CIOs specifically struggle with accruing enough funding to do what we want to do … A lot of the times we have to find places to do our concerts off Grounds,” Lee said. “A lot of the time this does take a really big hit to our budget, especially if we want to do somewhere nice.”
Solliday also discussed the difficulties that University performing arts groups struggle with when it comes to finding spaces on Grounds to host their acts, along with his hopes for more University assistance when it comes to finances and administrative holdups.
“I’d like to see consistent pricing so that other groups that don’t make as much money have the opportunity [to perform],” Solliday said. “I hope that continues.”
In times like these, it is essential that the next administration under Ryan’s successor does not disregard the capability of art to inspire conversation, showcase diverse perspectives and enact meaningful change in our communities. After the Department of Justice pressured University administration in June, some students worry that the future of arts programs at the University has come into question.
“I think that the way that that went down this summer has a lot of sort of dangerous ramifications for things like celebrating the arts at the University,” Kirby said.
Following Ryan’s resignation, It is the hope of the artistic community here at the University that his values will not be forgotten as leadership switches hands, and that the new administration can expand on his work through more tangible programs as well as continued support.
“I hope that the interim president whoever is eventually appointed as president recognizes the importance of the arts, the importance of genuine storytelling and of storytelling about the diversity of the human experience,” Kirby said.
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