When was the last time you felt inspired? Learned something new? Pushed boundaries? Let’s do that—again.

Experience an exclusive UC Santa Cruz evening with complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate with world renowned artist, and UCSC faculty member, Sir Isaac Julien whose retrospective exhibit Isaac Julien: I Dream a World is opening at the de Young Museum.

Reconnect with UC Santa Cruz alumni, parents, and friends at this special event in San Francisco. Enjoy the chance to network, engage with your vibrant UCSC community, and participate in a thought-provoking discussion led by our brilliant faculty.

Sir Isaac Julien, Distinguished Professor of the Arts and Humanities

Julien, a filmmaker and installation artist, blends film, dance, photography, music, theatre, and sculpture into powerful multi-screen narratives. A Distinguished Professor of the Arts and Humanities at UC Santa Cruz, he co-leads the Moving Image Lab and teaches in the History of Consciousness Department. His honors include the 2017 Royal Academy Charles Wollaston Award, the 2022 Kaiserring Goslar Award, a knighthood, and a 2024 British Academy Fellowship.

“Isaac Julien: I Dream a World” will be at the de Young Museum April 12-July 13 and will feature 10 major video installations by the British artist, a genre he has pioneered.

Jennifer González, Professor of the History of Art and Visual Culture

González writes about contemporary art with an emphasis on installation art, digital art and activist art. She is interested in understanding the strategic use of space by contemporary artists and by cultural institutions such as museums. More specifically, she has focused on the representation of the human body and its relation to discourses of race and gender.

Hosted by, Chancellor Cynthia Larive

As the 11th chancellor of the University of California at Santa Cruz, Cynthia Larive leads an institution known worldwide for its interdisciplinary approach to high impact research, for seeking solutions to the world’s greatest challenges and for its commitment to social and environmental justice. UC Santa Cruz joined the Association of American Universities in 2019 and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities in 2020, remarkable achievements that underscore the impact and quality of the university’s research and teaching across the five academic divisions of Arts, Baskin Engineering, Humanities, Physical and Biological Science, and Social Science. Under her leadership, in 2022 UC Santa Cruz was ranked No. 1 in the nation among top research universities for racial and gender diversity in leadership.

Learn more about the INSPIRE series events here. The INSPIRE series has something for all UCSC alumni, parents, and friends.