AEIM’s final boss: ArtBeast festival preparation

By Sofia Santiago

As spring prepares to bloom, another campus tradition is gearing up to bring even more life to Rider: ArtBeast, the annual multi-arts festival.

The celebration is produced by the arts events and festivals management class of the arts and entertainment industries management program, and incorporates student clubs and performers from across campus. As one of the applied learning classes for AEIM majors, the class was created as one of the key components of the program and was designed to give students real-world experience. The final project of the class, the ArtBeast event itself, becomes a culmination of everything they have learned throughout the semester and in previous classes. 

They will have previously taken courses ranging from business planning, marketing and communications to arts fundraising, venue, production and touring management. 

Associate Professor Todd Dellinger explained, “By the time they take this class, they’ve already learned about all of those nuts and bolts pieces. This is a way for them to apply all those different aspects in producing a live event.” 

Dellinger is the founder and coordinator of the AEIM program and has taught the class nearly every year since its inception in 2011.

Other than providing access to the funds allocated to the program by the university, he plays a minimal role in the planning and execution of the festival, serving more as an executive producer rather than a director. Dellinger, by taking a step back in class, allows ArtBeast to become an event that is almost entirely student-led.

Anna Dalessio, a senior arts and entertainment industries management major who is currently taking the class said, “This [class] feels more real and concrete and consequential. Since it’s a real festival, the stakes are much higher. But I think that makes it more exciting, since we’ve already learned so much about putting stuff like this together.” 

Robert McLaren, a junior arts and entertainment industries management major who is also in the class, echoed this sentiment, “This class has been kind of like the final boss of all of our classes.”

The class begins by coming up with a theme for the current year’s festival. Marking its 13th installment, ArtBeast’s theme for 2026 is: SpiritBeast “Believe with All Your Art.” This was decided through a class brainstorming session, during which ideas and motifs were called out and written on a chalkboard. Their inspiration for the theme this year pulls from the “I Believe in Rider” campaign and from East Asian cultures, such as the Chinese zodiac calendar cycle and the practice of decorating Spirit Trees by hanging colorful ribbons from large trees to honor something. 

“[At the] beginning when we had a completely blank slate, and anything was on the table, it was just the 12 of us being like, there is so much we could do with this event. The possibilities are endless,” Dalessio said. “What current events, what personal values could we draw a theme from? What’s going on in the world right now? What does the school need? That boundless creative potential was my favorite part.”

According to the vision statement crafted by the class, “Individuals from every walk of life will celebrate a deeply rooted harmony of culture, letting our spirits run free. In this tumultuous world, we believe in a Rider united under one heart, one community and one artistic soul.”

After the initial brainstorming session, students split off into smaller groups to tackle individual tasks, such as designing a logo, coming up with activities and contacting performers.

Previous years have included activities such as photo booths and frame decorating, culinary instruction, Greek Life bingo, tie dye, and of course, the live music and dance performances. This year, the class is also partnering with the Student Entertainment Council and the Pop, Rock and Hip Hop Ensemble, providing various food and entertainment options.

This collaboration across different sections of campus is what makes the class a beneficial experience for AEIM majors, and is also what cements ArtBeast as a special tradition for Rider.

SpiritBeast will take place on May 1 on the Campus Green if weather permits or in the Cavalla room, if needed.

“I think it’s important that we have an event where, no matter what major you’re studying, science, business, or arts, you have a chance to just be creative and release the artist in all of us,” McLaren said.