Bama Dining feeds thousands of students across campus on a daily basis, but now it is giving student musicians and artists a chance to play for a meal. The “Don’t Be a Starving Artist” program allows students to showcase their talents to other students, faculty and staff in exchange for $25 in Dining Dollars per hour of performance.

Sara Kolodziejczak, retail marketing coordinator for Bama Dining, piloted the project last fall and said she was pleased with the result.

“The ‘Don’t Be a Starving Artist’ program was an idea developed and spearheaded by Bama Dining last fall as a way to bring local entertainment to on-campus dining,” Kolodziejczak said.

Last fall, Bama Dining received more than 50 applications for the program. Most of the applicants were able to perform in several different dining halls to earn their dollars.

Ben Wallace, a freshman majoring in political science, said he thinks the idea is great for singers and guitarists, and he might be interested in performing himself.

“It’s a good way for student artists to get their music out there and for people to hear it,” Wallace said.

The only concern Wallace had was about the kinds of songs dining hall musicians might choose to play.

“I just don’t want to hear cliché guitar songs everyone always plays,” Wallace said. “Mostly like the acoustic versions of overplayed rock songs like ‘Wonderwall,’ ‘Time of Your Life’ and songs like that.”

Bama Dining is looking to continue the program’s success with previous and new artists on campus.

“Although most of the program database consists of singers and acoustic guitarists, registered performers specialize in all forms of music and unique performing art styles,” Kolodziejczak said. “One of our most valuable and notable returning performers specializes on marimba, a large, wooden mallet percussion instrument that when struck produces key tones like a piano.”

Katy Harp, a sophomore majoring in marketing, said she would be interested in performing.

“I would do songs that are easy to sing,” Harp said. One song Harp said she would want to sing would be “Team” by Lorde.

“It’s a popular song right now, and it’s pretty catchy,” Harp said.

When artists apply, they can put which location they would most like to play and what time they would prefer. Artists can perform in Lakeside Dining, Burke Dining Hall or the Starbucks in the Ferguson Center.

Wallace said he did not care which location he would play at, while Harp said she would prefer Lakeside. While Bama Dining will do its best to accommodate the artists for what they want, it decides who plays which dining venue at what time.

Both Harp and Wallace said they loved the idea that they would be paid in Dining Dollars.

“It’s the most versatile, and everyone can use them. You can even use them off campus at places like Domino’s and Buffalo Phil’s,” Harp said.

Student artists interested in finding out more about the “Don’t Be a Starving Artist” program can find Bama Dining online at bamadining.ua.edu, facebook.com/bamadining, or on Twitter @BamaDining.

“There is no guarantee that all of our registered artists will be hired, whether we have more musicians than space or whether we cannot find an appropriate space for the artist’s style,” Kolodziejczak said. “We work closely with the artists to make sure we can provide the best possible experience for the artist and for our customers.”