Written from IU press release
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Taylor Swift: The Conference Era is set for November 3 and 4 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater near the Indiana University Bloomington campus, with additional events both on November 2 and 5.
This unprecedented academic event, orchestrated by the IU Arts & Humanities Council, will bring together Swifties and scholars to explore a plethora of facets of the global pop sensation’s influence. Taylor Swift’s remarkable career, spanning over two decades, and her ongoing Eras Tour will be the focal points of discussion.
With more than 1,000 attendees already registered for this two-day extravaganza, it’s evident that anticipation is reaching a fever pitch.
The celebration commences with Swift-themed festivities at IU Bloomington’s First Thursdays festival on November 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Arts Plaza on campus, followed by a dance party at The Back Door at 9 p.m., allowing attendees to “shake it off.”
The heart of the conference takes place from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Attendees can also look forward to a screening of Swift’s directed masterpiece, “All Too Well,” starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The weekend culminates on November 5 with the Taylor Swift Artist Market, held from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cook Center for Public Arts and Humanities, featuring vendors offering a wide array of Swift-related merchandise.
While events at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater are free, they require tickets (limited to four per person), and it’s advisable that attendees be aged 12 or older. For those who’ve been wondering, despite the glittering world of Swift, organizers promise “no flashing lights or troubling content” within the venue.
Notably, ticket holders have the flexibility to choose which panels they attend, and while Saturday’s slots are already sold out, there are still limited tickets available for Friday.
The conference’s call for papers, issued by the Arts & Humanities Council in May, received submissions from across the United States and beyond. The selected 30 speakers, comprising IU faculty, graduate students, and alumni, will cover a wide range of topics. Panel discussions will explore themes such as “Taylor as an Anti-Hero,” “Tour Economy and Crowd Culture,” and “Feminism and Capitalism.” Distinguished international scholars, including culture and media theorist Amelia Morris from the University of Exeter in England, will also be in attendance.
Among the esteemed keynote speakers, Brenda Weber, Provost Professor and Jean C. Robinson Scholar in Gender Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington, will present insights on gender, drawing connections with the documentary “Miss Americana.” Additionally, associate professor of dance Mary Fogarty at York University in Toronto, music critic Gina Arnold, and Leah Donnella, the editor of NPR’s “Code Switch” podcast, will offer their unique perspectives.
A multitude of scholars from IU and institutions across the nation are scheduled to present, promising a comprehensive exploration of Taylor Swift’s cultural impact. The full conference schedule is slated for release on the Arts & Humanities Council website in late October, so make sure to mark your calendars.
