The Arts at Colgate

The Arts at Colgate are undergoing a powerful change.

With new technologies strengthening connections between the arts and other fields of study, Colgate's vision shifts the focus from final creation to creative process, empowers students in knowledge discovery, and helps them become more imaginative thinkers and innovators.

Colgate's ambitious and visionary plan will transform both the campus and its pedagogy with the goal of better integrating the arts into life and learning at Colgate.

About the Middle Campus Initiative

A scene on stage during performance of R&J&Z

By making and studying theater at a liberal arts university, Colgate students act out a variety of perspectives on the world.

Kris Pfister ’17 works on her art installation, knitting in the Clifford Gallery

For the installation Casting Off at Clifford Gallery, Kris Pfister ’17 collected discarded clothing and reused the yarn to make hats for LGBTQ homeless over the course of 31 days.

Visiting artist Reet Aus works on up cycle projects

Visiting artists such as Reet Aus bring a constant flow of fresh perspectives and methods to the Colgate campus.

Students perform a choreographed dance on stage at Dancefest

Every semester the campus is drawn together for the flagship student-run event Dancefest — a celebration of self-expression and diversity through the art of dance.

A music class learns to play Balinese instruments and music

Engaging in the arts across cultures is just one way in which Colgate continues to promote diversity, equity and inclusion at the institution.

Community Building

Led by Art Force 5, members of the Colgate community work on painting canvas tiles to recreate a painting of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. '30, as part of MLK 2019.

Giving Students a Voice

Students from Colgate's radio station WRCU provide music for homecoming weekend.

Entrepreneurship

The Thought Into Action incubator provides mentorship and growth opportunities to students as they take business concepts and build them into viable ventures.

Faculty of Practicing Artists

Colgate faculty members like Glenn Cashman (on saxophone) are world-class artists and performers in their own right.

Sustainability

Groups of students came together at Parker Commons to create and design their own wearable art clothing, all made with trash, recyclables, old t-shirts and dresses.

Hands-on Experience

Colgate's Clay Club offers a respite from academic work and a space for students to learn how to throw on the wheel, hand-build, or just lean into experimentation and play.

Activism and Empowerment

Sisters of the Round Table, a student organization dedicated to raising the awareness of the issues surrounding women of color, presents spoken word artists reflecting on activism, race, and love.

Performance and Collaboration

Inspired by the traditions and grammar of the Grimm’s Fairytales, "Wald, a Wondertale" was wholly written and performed by Colgate students in the Children’s Theater Workshop.

The Arts at Colgate are undergoing a powerful change.

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