ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan website Montage features the latest news and features about the arts, creative endeavors, collaborative projects and upcoming events. To visit the site, go to www.montage.umich.edu.

This week’s top features on Montage include:

Priceless Inspiration: The thought-provoking, entertaining and indispensable Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series features a lineup of today’s most compelling creative thinkers, designers and performers. The highly popular lecture series is a hallmark of the U-M School of Art & Design’s fall outreach, and one of the most-talked-about events of the week. The first presentation, held Thursday, Sept. 15, explores how emerging technologies have the potential to transform society, but not always for the better.

Memorializing an Icon: Three people with ties to U-M contributed to the conception, design and construction of the newest national monument in Washington, D.C.

UMS New Season: The University Musical Society opens its new season this weekend with performances by Ahmad Jamal and the Emerson String Quartet. Season highlights include a remounting of Phillip Glass’ “Einstein on the Beach” in late January. The renowned American composer will be in Ann Arbor during rehearsals of the four-act opera. More information: www.ums.org.

Mapping Natural Heritage: The U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum has received a grant of about $127,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant enables a two-year project to locate and assess at-risk plant communities growing on the four properties managed by Matthaei-Nichols. The project runs through May 2013.

Noteworthy exhibits, lecture and events on campus:

• “The Big Scrum: How Teddy Roosevelt Saved Football,” a lecture by author John J. Miller at the William L. Clements Library. Miller’s new book examines the history of college football and the social changes in America that made college football popular. 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14.
• Two high-flying events will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U-M’s Center for Chinese Studies:

  Kite FLY-A-THON: Master kite fliers will showcase their skills with demonstrations at U-M’s Ferry Field (outdoor track), 1150 S. State St., Ann Arbor. The free, public event is 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23;

  Kite FESTIVAL: Kite-flying competition with U-M students and demonstrations by master kite makers from China and Michigan. All kite lovers are invited to participate by bringing their own self-crafted kites. The festival will also include Chinese ribbon dancing, yo-yo demonstrations, lion dances, taiko drumming, zithers and a community art table. The free, public event, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, will be held at U-M’s Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor.

• “The Games We Played: Sports in Nineteenth Century America” at the William L. Clements Library offers rare books, manuscripts, prints, photographs and more to illustrate the new pastimes of 19th century Americans. Runs through Oct. 7.
• “Looking Both Ways” explores the legacy of the Xinhai Revolution. The exhibit is at the North Campus Research Complex. Runs through Oct. 8.
• The U-Michigan Museum of Art presents “Multiple Impressions: Contemporary Chinese Woodblock Prints,” featuring works by 41 leading printmakers from contemporary China. The exhibit showcases the extraordinary innovations, in both technique and conception, which have transformed this long-established art form in recent years. Runs through Oct. 23.

Related Links:

• Montage