The University of Georgia's diverse offerings in the visual, literary and performing arts will be on display this November during the fifth annual Spotlight on the Arts festival, which features more than 100 events and exhibitions over 12 days.

The fifth annual festival begins Nov. 2 with a kaleidoscope of student performances in an Opening Celebration scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Continuing through Nov. 13, the arts festival includes art exhibitions and demonstrations, book talks and readings, film screenings and theater, music and dance performances, many of which are free and open to the public.

"Spotlight on the Arts has become one of the university's most beloved campus traditions, and it underscores how the arts enrich our lives and our understanding of the world," said Pamela Whitten, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Created in 2012 by the UGA Arts Council, Spotlight on the Arts celebrates the visual, literary and performing arts at UGA. This year's festival includes performances of "Jane Eyre" presented by University Theatre as well concerts from a dozen student and faculty groups from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, exhibitions at the Lamar Dodd School of Art and Georgia Museum of Art and performances from the department of dance's Young Choreographers Series.

A special daylong Student Spotlight event Nov. 3 will feature student performances from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tate Plaza. On Nov. 5, the first Spotlight on the Arts Family Day will include performances, activities, demonstrations and workshops in art, dance, theater, music and writing designed for children and families to enjoy.

Other highlights of the festival include a talk and DJ set from acclaimed music producer Jacknife Lee, a Shakespeare symposium, lectures from internationally renowned artists and scholars and guest performances from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, folk music group The Dardanelles and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

"The mission of the Arts Council is to foster an awareness and appreciation of the arts and to create an environment conducive to artistic innovation," said Vice Provost Russell Mumper, who chairs the Arts Council. "Although arts are an ever-present fabric of UGA, this festival allows us a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on it."

Members of the UGA Arts Council include representatives from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the creative writing program, the department of dance, the department of theatre and film studies, the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Georgia Museum of Art, The Georgia Review, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, the Lamar Dodd School of Art, the Performing Arts Center, the UGA Press, the special collections libraries and the Willson Center. Also contributing to the 2016 Spotlight on the Arts festival are the College of Environment and Design, Ideas for Creative Exploration and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

More information on the 2016 Spotlight on the Arts festival, including a schedule of events, can be found at www.arts.uga.edu as well as on the Arts Council Facebook page, Twitter feed or Instagram.

Many of the performances are free or discounted for students. Events presented by the Performing Arts Center, dance department, Hugh Hodgson School of Music and University Theatre will be available for purchase online at www.pac.uga.edu, at the PAC box office or by phone at 706-542-4400 (toll free at 888-289-8497).