Normally, Davis’ role includes assisting with setup and performer logistics in venues across campus. This year, she and her fellow student producers reviewed video performances and helped coordinate the mix of live and prerecorded content.

“I only get to see a segment of all the amazing things happening at the festival when I produce in person, and now I have the chance to peek in at all the things that I’ve been missing. I’m definitely very excited for it,” said Davis. “We’re not necessarily focusing on what we’re lacking by not being able to physically gather, but really play up some of the benefits of being able to access art from all over the world.”

“I am excited to think that mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, and mentors — no matter where they are — will be able to access this year’s festival over the course of 11 evenings. We are bringing their children’s performances into the family home, wherever that home may be,” added Megan. “If we are lucky enough to produce next year’s festival on campus, this level of global accessibility has to stay a priority.”

The videos were compiled and produced with support from staff members from FAS Media and Technology Services, including manager of the media production center Tony Di Bartolo and media technicians Peter Traver, Otto Klammer, Plamen Petkov, and Jose Mejia. The performances will be complemented by a series of panels featuring conversations with previous Harvard Arts Medal winners — including Yo-Yo Ma ’76, Mira Nair ’79, and Margaret Atwood ’62 — on subjects including “Writing and Inner Witnessing,” “Performance and Creative Agility,” and “Music and Human Connection.”

Throughout the festivities, visitors to the Arts First website can also browse online galleries and exhibitions and audio creations by members of the Harvard community. And in keeping with tradition, there will be art-making. The Materials Lab at the Harvard Art Museums will provide activity suggestions for viewers to do at home, and the Art Museums’ Jenny’s Café created a recipe for a signature drink inspired by this year’s purple color scheme: a blackberry thyme soda.

For Davis, the celebration of Harvard’s artistic spirit is a bright spot in what remains an uncertain and difficult time, particularly for performers whose careers are still in flux due to the pandemic.

“With everything that’s happened with a pandemic, the arts and artists have really taken a hit, so it has been great to see Harvard students still be able to come forward and put together really innovative, creative performances,” she said. “They’re letting their light shine through all of the chaos and all of the tragedy. That perseverance is very comforting and reassuring to see, because even though there are all these other things going on, the arts aren’t going anywhere.”

All Arts First events are free and open to the public.