“ideaFest 2025 is your opportunity to be both inspired and inspiring,” says Cyril Oberlander, Library Dean. “It’s a chance to celebrate the brilliance of our student community, to see the tremendous impact of academics and creativity.”
Each year, ideaFest transforms the Library into a vibrant tapestry of student projects and performances, Oberlander adds. “Music in the lobby, dance and theater performances on the second floor along with sculptures and poster presentations everywhere. The Library will be filled with the hum of creativity and learning, a celebration of the incredible academic and creative achievements of our students.”
This year, scholars from the University’s Pelican Bay B.A. in Communications program will present live via Zoom on topics ranging from media to representation and advocacy. The program is the first in the state to be taught in person at a high-security facility, and the first in the nation to receive Pell Grant eligibility under new federal policy. Audience members will have the opportunity to engage in discussion and provide feedback to the incarcerated students.
ideaFest is rooted in the University’s 2013 centennial celebration, which originally included approximately 40 poster presentations. Today, the event has grown to showcase more than 200 research, performance, and digital projects from students, staff, and faculty in all three colleges.
While participants primarily showcase their creative projects through posters and presentations, ideaFest also features live music, dancing, guided tours, film screenings, and more. Participants can also choose to publish their work in the ideaFest journal, Humboldt’s own peer-reviewed academic journal.
Sponsored by the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, Marketing & Communications, and the Library in collaboration with the University’s three colleges, ideaFest is free and open to the campus community and the public.
Past contributions to ideaFest can be viewed at the Cal Poly Humboldt Digital Commons.
ideaFest
Friday, May 2
Cal Poly Humboldt Library
Noon
Meet at the Library Nordstrom Lobby for the Sculpture Walk
2-2:30 p.m.
Dances from a range of styles, including Danza Azteca, contemporary, and jazz, on the second floor
2 p.m.
Art tours begin every 30 minutes between 2-3:30 p.m. Participants meet at the Nordstrom Lobby before being ushered to the Reese Bullen Gallery to view works from senior Art students
2:30 p.m.
Marching Lumberjack perform at main entrance
2-4 p.m.
Musical performances in the Nordstrom Lobby
3-5 p.m.
Poster and Symposium and reception on the second and third floors
3 p.m.
Pelican Bay student presentations in Library RM 317
4-5 p.m.
Transfer student panel showcase in the Library Learning Lab, RM 308
4-5 p.m.
Film screenings from the University's Film Department in RM 120
5 p.m.
Final sculpture walk begins—meet at the Library Nordstrom Lobby