UNCG faculty and staff offer free public talks, gallery events in February

UNCG is opening a slate of free public talks and gallery events this winter to connect campus expertise with the Greensboro community. The faculty and staff presentations, announced on Jan. 22, 2026, include gallery conversations and program introductions designed for students and local residents, and they highlight opportunities for civic engagement, cultural learning, and workforce-ready skills.

The Weatherspoon Art Museum will host the Making [Art] History gallery talk on Jan. 30, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m. The gallery conversation will feature Weatherspoon curator Elaine D. Gustafson and Leila Villaverde, Ph.D. That event offers a close look at exhibition curation and interpretation, and it brings museum staff expertise into a public forum where residents can see how collections are contextualized and conserved.

UNCG’s Model United Nations program will be introduced on Feb. 4 from noon to 1 p.m. in Foust 206. The presentation will outline the structure and achievements of UNCG’s award-winning Model United Nations, giving students and community members a clear path to participate in simulated diplomacy, debate, and international policy practice. For student attendees, the event can translate into résumé-building experience and networking with faculty who advise competitive extracurricular programs.

These events are free and open to the public, reducing cost barriers to cultural and civic participation. For Guilford County, such programming supports the local cultural economy by drawing visitors to campus venues, encouraging midday foot traffic for nearby restaurants and businesses, and strengthening ties between UNCG and Greensboro civic life. For example, gallery talks at the Weatherspoon frequently bring cross-generational audiences that increase museum visitation and volunteer engagement without admission fees for these targeted programs.

Beyond immediate economic effects, the series functions as an investment in human capital. Faculty-led talks provide practical exposure to curatorial practice, international affairs, and other disciplines that complement classroom learning. Programs like Model United Nations cultivate negotiation, public speaking, and policy analysis skills that employers in law, public service, and nonprofit sectors actively seek.

Residents interested in attending should note the dates, times, and locations: Making [Art] History gallery talk at the Weatherspoon Art Museum on Jan. 30, noon to 1 p.m., and Model United Nations presentation in Foust 206 on Feb. 4, noon to 1 p.m. Additional talks and seminars are part of the ongoing faculty and staff listings intended to offer regular, low-cost access to campus expertise.

These events are a practical reminder that UNCG’s academic resources are a community asset. For Guilford County readers, they offer low-cost ways to deepen civic knowledge, support local cultural institutions, and gain skills that have tangible value in the regional labor market. Future listings will expand topics and dates across late January and February.