xFeatured Archives

“A Show of Hands: Recent Work by Ben Stone” on Display at NIU Art Museum

Ben Stone, sculptor and coordinator of 2D and 3D Foundations in NIU’s School of Art and Design, is showcasing new work in an installation in the North Gallery of the NIU Art Museum. According to Stone, “the work relates to several concurrent themes dealing with late...

SNL cast members coming to NIU with free live show for students

Live, from DeKalb, it's... First-year Saturday Night Live cast members Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow are coming to NIU, Wednesday, February 8 for a free, live show exclusively for NIU students. Students can claim two free tickets by using the NIU ticket portal....

NIU Concert Choir and NIU Black Choir to perform at Mavis Staples concert, Feb. 3

The NIU Concert Choir and NIU Black Choir will have the unique and exciting opportunity to perform on the same stage as music legend Mavis Staples as part of her concert, February 3 at 8 p.m. at DeKalb's Egyptian Theatre. A limited number of free tickets are available...

NIU hosts visiting lecture on “Defining Tunes of the Chinese Diaspora”

The NIU School of Music and World Music Club are two of the sponsors of an NIU Asian American Lecture Series presentation on "Defining Tunes of the Chinese Diaspora" by Dr. Nancy Yunhwa Rao, Professor of Music, Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University....

Avalon String Quartet Jan. 27 performance features a world premiere by Stacy Garrop

Avalon String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence in the Northern Illinois University School of Music's January 27 performance (7 p.m., Recital Hall) will feature music by Joseph Haydn and Johannes Brahms, and the world premiere of a piece for string quartet and narrator...

School of Music hosting reception at IMEC, January 27

Join the NIU School of Music for a reception at the Illinois Music Education Conference  (IMEC), Friday, January 27 in the Cheminee Ballroom of the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The NIU Jazztet will perform at the reception and there will...

How to watch the NIU Jazz Orchestra compete at Lincoln Center this weekend

The NIU Jazz Orchestra is one of only 10 collegiate jazz programs invited to participate in the 2023 Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jack Rudin Jazz Championships in New York City. The competition is a two-day invitational, January 14-15. The championships are held...

Theatre and Dance to present world premiere of “The 30,000 Bequest” at the Egyptian Theatre

A movie more than a decade in the making will have its world premiere, Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at DeKalb's Egyptian Theatre. The NIU School of Theatre and Dance will present the original film production of Mark Twain's "The $30,000 Bequest." Filmed in 2011, the...

Fine art photography of Laura Fenwick, ’12, featured in British Vogue

Laura Fenwick, ’12, was only 23 when she started her fine arts photography business, but for her, it was a stressful beginning, and success came after a lot of hard work. Fenwick’s most recent achievement is her outstanding work being featured in British Vogue over...

Art and Design students tops in NIU holiday card contest

The winners have been announced for the annual NIU President's Greeting Card contest. The theme for this year's holiday card competition was "joyful wishes for a peaceful season and year ahead." More than 30 students submitted original artwork and the winning entries...

Jeff Lietz, ’96, builds the future at Charles Vincent George Architects

For Jeff Lietz, ’96, his work in the field of architecture and as principal at Charles Vincent George Architects in Naperville, Illinois, means he gets to do three simple but very fulfilling things—“create new things, renovate old things, and preserve spaces when...

Best in Show and Jurors’ Choice award recipients announced for NIU Art Museum’s “Stories From My Childhood”

Best in Show and four Jurors’ Choice Awards were announced during the Dec. 1 opening reception of “Stories From My Childhood,” at the Northern Illinois University Art Museum. "Stories From My Childhood" is a group show based on a national call for entry exploring both...

Graduate profile: Austin Cruz, School of Music

Congratulations to all of the new alumni of the College of Visual and Performing Arts who graduated last weekend. One of the featured students at the commencement ceremony for students from the Graduate School was the School of Music's Austin Cruz who received his...

Graduate profile: Steffi Delgado, School of Music

Congratulations to all of the new alumni of the College of Visual and Performing Arts who graduated last weekend. One of the featured students at the commencement ceremony for students from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, College of Liberal Arts and...

Liam Teague honored with Key to the City of San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago

Liam Teague, NIU Board of Trustees professor, presidential research, scholarship and artistry professor and head of steelpan studies in the NIU School of Music was honored with the Key to the City of San Fernando in his native country of Trinidad and Tobago at a...

School of Art and Design seeks entries for annual Community College Invitational Exhibition

The Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design is accepting entries for its annual Community College Student and Faculty Invitational Exhibition. The exhibition will run from January 15, 2023 through February 4, 2023. The student exhibition will be held...

NIU Philharmonic Orchestra to perform “Oratorio Without Words: Edward Elgar and Alice Mary Smith” Nov. 21

The Northern Illinois University Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Wilbur Lin, assistant professor of music at NIU, will perform "Oratorio Without Words: Edward Elgar and Alice Mary Smith," Monday, November 21 at 7 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in NIU's...

NIU Jazz Orchestra to preview their Lincoln Center set at concert Nov. 17

The Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra will be heading to New York City in January to compete in the third annual Rudin Jazz Championship at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and you can get a preview of that performance at...

NIU Fall Dance Concert “Carmina Burana” runs Nov. 17-20

Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance will present "Carmina Burana" at the School of Theater and Dance’s Stevens Building beginning Thursday November 17, at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue Friday, November 18, and Saturday, November 19 at 7:30...

Scholarship established, and reception scheduled to honor Melanie Parks before Sunday’s Dance Concert performance

The College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Theatre and Dance are hosting a reception, Sunday, Nov. 20, in the lobby of the Stevens Building to honor Melanie Parks who worked for nearly 30 years in the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts as an...

“Stories From My Childhood” exhibition to open at NIU Art Museum

A group show based on a national call for entry, “Stories From My Childhood” explores both dark childhood experiences and somewhat humorous and quirky observations of life from a child’s perspective. Artists were asked to depict a transformative event that occurred...

Ron Carter to be awarded The Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor

Ron Carter, the world-famous former director of Jazz Studies at NIU will be awarded The Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor, Wednesday, December 21 at McCormick Place Convention Center during this year's Midwest Clinic. It is the world's largest instrumental music education...

Music’s Bobby Broom featured as one of Chicago’s Very Own on WGN-TV News

Bobby Broom, associate professor of jazz guitar and jazz studies was featured as one of "Chicago's Very Own" on WGN-TV News. Broom discussed his passion for playing music and teaching, and School of Music students Jackson Wheeler and Alejandra Hernandez were also...

NIU professors put their unique expertise into a new play about labor icon Mother Jones

A brand new play that brings together a pair of twentieth century labor icons, also brought together a pair of NIU professors. "A Table For Two At The Dill Pickle," written by Irish writer and musician Larry Kirwan will have its world premiere, Sunday, November 13, at...

Theatre and Dance Alumni and Faculty notes

Alumni and faculty of the School of Theatre and Dance are doing some amazing things. Slee Mumford, MFA '22 is performing in the Off-Broadway "Stranger Sings" Stranger Things parody musical. Slee plays Barb, the best friend of Nancy who (spoiler alert) met her demise...

God of Carnage opens at NIU November 9

What happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with the unruly behavior of their children? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums, and tears before bedtime? ‘Boys will be boys’, but the adults are usually...

Illinois Brass Band to perform at NIU, Nov. 13

The Illinois Brass Band, a group made up of 30 volunteer musicians dedicated to bringing British-style brass band music to audiences in Chicago and throughout the Midwest, will perform in concert, Sunday, November 13 at 7 p.m. at the NIU School of Music in Boutell...

NIU Hosts Summit on Urban Music Education, Oct. 28-29

The Northern Illinois University School of Music is hosting a Summit on Urban Music Education, Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29. Mary Lynn Doherty, assistant director of the School of Music, associate professor of music, and coordinator of music education...

10th Anniversary NIU New Music Festival to feature two guest alumnae composers and several special guest performers

The NIU New Music Festival celebrates its tenth year with three consecutive evenings of music November 2, 3, and 4, 2022. The evening programs begin at 7 p.m. and tickets are available through the online School of Music Box Office. Here's a look back at the history of...

Theatre and Dance presents “She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen

An exciting performance of sisterhood, queer-identity, and nerd culture! Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance will present She Kills Monsters at The O’Connell Theatre in the Stevens Building on Oct. 21-22 and 27-28 beginning at 7:30 each evening...

Upcoming events feature 1619: The Musical and a Rebuilding Democracy Lecture with the author of The 1619 Project

The campus and community are invited to participate in a pair of free, upcoming events focused on the history and ongoing impacts of African slavery in the United States. The musical 1619: The Journey of a People will be performed at DeKalb’s Egyptian Theatre,...

NIU presents Much Ado About Nothing

Shakespeare's iconic romantic comedy comes to the stage of the NIU School of Theatre and Dance Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance will present Much Ado About Nothing in the Sally Stevens Players Theatre on October 7– 9 and October 13 – 15...

School of Music’s Bobby Broom to present master class highlighting release of “Keyed Up”

Update: 10/18/22 - This event will be rescheduled for a later date.  Bobby Broom, an internationally renowned guitarist and associate professor of jazz guitar and jazz studies at the NIU School of Music, is hosting a master class, Friday, October 21 at noon in Boutell...

Performing Southeast Asia exhibition open now at NIU’s Pick Museum

"Performing Southeast Asia" has been curated in collaboration with faculty and students from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and considers the role of performance in Southeast Asia, from popular music to traditional dance. The exhibition runs from September 8,...

NIU Art Museum to host in-person lectures with award-winning illustrator and author

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum is pleased to present three in-person lectures related to their Children’s Illustrated Literature Exhibition Suite by award-winning illustrator of over 60 books, James E. Ransome. Ransome will be joined by his wife, author...

Student Frederick McClure credits Patterson Scholarship for musical therapy vision

As part of this week's Homecoming festivities, a ceremony is being held at 3 p.m.., Friday, October 7, for the re-naming of New Hall as the Fanny Ruth Patterson Complex, in honor of NIU's first African-American graduate. A scholarship established to honor Patterson...

Music students can see Paragon Ragtime Orchestra live at the Egyptian Theatre for FREE

The 14-piece Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, who plays live scores to complete silent films, will  be appearing at DeKalb's historic Egyptian Theatre, Sunday, October 2 at 3 p.m. and NIU School of Music students are invited to attend FREE, simply by showing their NIU...

Dance alumnus James Stevko returns to conduct masterclass

James Monroe Števko, Chicago who earned his degree in dance from NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance, is currently performing in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Fiddler on the Roof. Last week, he took time out to return to his alma mater and conduct a...

Apply by October 28 to audition for CSA Sinfonia Concerto Competition 2022

The Community School of the Arts at Northern Illinois University invites musicians eighteen years old and younger to audition in the annual CSA Sinfonia Concerto Competition.  Applications must be received by October 28.  Auditions are scheduled in the Recital Hall of...

School of Theatre and Dance 2022-2023 performance season

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance 2022-2023 season features daring new works, familiar favorites and the always crowd-pleasing fall and spring dance concerts. The season opens Friday, September 23 with Melancholy Play. Three performance spaces will be utilized in...

NIU School of Art and Design’s Jack Olson Gallery hosts “Meeting of Makers: Merging of Space”

The Jack Olson Gallery of the NIU School of Art and Design is home to the exhibition "Meeting of Makers: Merging of Space" from August 29 through October 27. It is an invitational exhibition of artist printmakers with interest in installation. Works by Laura Berman,...

NIU Large Ensemble Concerts for Fall

There is something for music lovers of all kinds at the NIU School of Music this fall. The School of Music has talented ensembles in jazz, winds, orchestra, percussion, choral, world music and our famous NIU Steelband for you to choose from. Tickets are only $5 for...

NIU’s Yuko Asada featured in new “Women in Pan” web series

Yuko Asada, Musical Instrument Technician and Director of the CSA Steelband in the NIU School of Music is one of four pioneers of steelpan highlighted in the 10-episode web series "Women of Pan." A new episode premieres each Friday, and the the first two installments...

NIU School of Theatre and Dance opens new season with Melancholy Play

The Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance will open their 2022-2023 performance season with Melancholy Play in the Stevens Building's Black Box Theatre. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 23, 24, 29 and 30, and 2 p.m. matinees on Sept....

Alumni band members invited back for two special performance celebrations

As part of our 115th Homecoming festivities, the Huskie Marching Band invites all alumni back to campus to participate in two special performance celebrations. In addition to Saturday's annual Fill the Field event at Huskie Stadium, all School of Music and Huskie...

NIU Art Museum hosts virtual talks with internationally acclaimed historian Leonard S. Marcus

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum is pleased to present three virtual lectures related to their Children’s Illustrated Literature Suite by internationally acclaimed historian on children’s books, Leonard S. Marcus. Marcus served as a co-curator for the...

Avalon String Quartet to premiere a commissioned work based on Seven Ages of Man

The Avalon String Quartet, artists in residence at the NIU School of Music will perform an original composition based on one of Shakespeare's most famous speeches. Seven Ages of Man will be premiere, Wednesday, September 7 at 7 p.m. in the NIU Music Building Recital...

Founders Learning Commons Open House Week Events, Sept. 6-8

NIU's Founders Memorial Library offers a Learning Commons has everything students need to succeed in your studies. We can answer your questions, assist you with research and help improve your writing. The Learning Commons can assist with access to or help with a...

Art and Design’s Peter Van Ael and spouse Jessica Gondek to exhibition work at Bridgeport Art Center

Peter Van Ael, coordinator of the Jack Olson Gallery in the NIU School of Art and Design and museum studies faculty member, and his spouse, Jessica Gondek, will open an exhibition of their work at the Bridgeport Art Center, Friday, September 16. The exhibition is...

The Big Sing featuring NIU and local high school choirs returns to the Egyptian Theatre

An exciting choral concert that includes performances by professional, collegiate, and high school choirs  returns to the Egyptian Theatre for a second straight year, Sunday, September 18 at 3 p.m. “The Big Sing” brings together the finest choral ensembles in DeKalb...

Video: Oscar winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis’ 1996 return to NIU to talk with students

Oscar winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis is best known for directing blockbuster movies like the Back to the Future franchise, Forrest Gump, Romancing the Stone, Castaway, Contact, and more. He won his Oscar for Forrest Gump in 1995, and just a year later he returned...

Longtime costume designer, advisor, and associate dean Melanie Parks remembered for her talent, style, advocacy and wit

Beloved artist, designer, educator, student advocate and administrator Melanie Parks passed away July 28 after a long battle with cancer. Parks came to the NIU School of Theatre and Dance in 1990 as costume director and taught all of the technical costume classes. In...

Banda NIU receives grant from the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation

Banda NIU, an ensemble in the NIU School of Music that honors the tradition of the great Bandas of the western Mexican state of Sinaloa, has received a program grant of nearly $5,000 from the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation to support music education outreach activities...

NIU’s 115th Homecoming is coming up October 3-9

NIU President Lisa Freeman is inviting everyone to attend the university's 115th Homecoming, with a host of events being held October 3-9. https://youtu.be/RTIcvzN0EgM   Dozens of staff, faculty and alumni are hard at work on the week’s events, which will...

Get On The Bus trips return to the NIU Art Museum

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum is pleased to announce its roster of bus excursions for fall 2022. The Get-On-The-Bus trips of the NIU Art Museum are great ways to meet other art lovers, keep up with what’s happening in the art world, see innovative...

NIU Art and Design and NIU baseball alumnus Tim Kuncis brings sports art to famed locales

When former NIU baseball player Tim Kuncis, ’96, was majoring in art in college, it was not clear how or if he would use his degree. In fact, for the first two decades of his career, he worked in the trading pits of the Chicago Board of Trade before realizing his...

Art and Design alumna, Nestlé’s Jasmin Nava, brings entrepreneurial mindset to NIUAA Board

As an undergraduate student at NIU, Jasmin Nava changed her major several times, as she began to understand her passions and strengths. “I realized I could be an independent and entrepreneurial artist while also thriving as a businesswoman in a corporate environment,”...

Google Doodle on steelpan has NIU tie-in

It's probably not a surprise that when you see an example of steelpan in popular culture that there's a tie-in to the NIU School of Music's Steelpan Studies program. Not only does NIU boast the oldest university steelband in the nation, but there has been an...

Children’s Illustrated Literature Exhibition suite to open at NIU Art Museum

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum is pleased to present two exhibitions of framed artwork and books – some no longer in print – organized and traveled by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature in Abilene, Texas from Tuesday, Aug. 23...

Northern Illinois University Art Museum Annual “Art to Lend” selection period now open

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum’s annual “Art to Lend” 2022 selection period will open for faculty and staff on campus. This annual service allows individuals and departments to enhance their private offices and the administrative areas of the university...

Five NIU music students selected for the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy

Five students from the NIU School of Music have been selected as one of just four combo/small ensemble groups from around the nation to participate in this year's Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy in Aspen, Colorado. The NIU combo is named Northern Collective and is made up...

Kane Repertory Theatre presents outdoor production of Twelfth Night

Kane Repertory Theatre, founded in 2019 by a group of alumni from the NIU School of Theatre and Dance, in partnership with the St. Charles Park District, presents a live outdoor production of the Shakespeare classic "Twelfth Night" at the Historic Pavilion on the Fox...

Support NIU during Huskies United June 22-23

Show your support for Northern Illinois University by making a donation during this year's Huskies United, June 22-23. Want to learn more? Check out this video hosted by Kate Drury, a BFA Acting candidate in our very own School of Theatre and Dance....

Michael Barnes work featured in major exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum

Michael Barnes, NIU Presidential Professor, Head of Printmaking and Coordinator of Graduate Programs in the NIU School of Art and Design has eight of his works featured in a new, major exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum. "Catching the Moment: Contemporary Art from...

School of Music Professor Geof Bradfield named a City of Chicago Esteemed Artist for 2022

Geof Bradfield, professor jazz studies in the NIU School of Music, has been named one of the City of Chicago's Esteemed Artists for 2022. Bradfield was one of only four musicians to receive this recognition this year. The award includes $15,000 to use to support any...

Arman Sangalang recipient of fellowship from Jazz Institute of Chicago

Arman Sangalang, who just earned his MFA in Jazz Studies from the NIU School of Music is serving a two-year fellowship with the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Sangalang, a saxophonist and composer, received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University earned the Jazz...

Save the date for NIU’s 115th Homecoming

It's never too early to make your plans to attend NIU's 115th Homecoming festivities. This year's events will be held from October 3-9. We have the oldest homecoming in the state of Illinois and one of the oldest in the entire nation. There will be even more...

Art and Design’s Kerry Freedman moderated international panel on post-pandemic visual arts education

Kerry Freedman, professor and division head of Art and Design Education in the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design initiated and moderated a five-hour international panel that brought together arts educators from around the globe to discuss a...

CVPA alums feature prominently in Netflix’s “Senior Year”

The new Netflix movie Senior Year features Rebel Wilson playing Stephanie, who was injured in a cheerleading stunt when she was 17 only to wake from a coma 20 years later and insisting on returning to finish out her senior year of high school and attend her prom. Mary...

At the intersection of art and engineering in the Senior Design Program

While the disciplines of art and engineering are not always thought to converge, they quite often do. In fact, art converges with many industries and careers that many might not realize. “Art applies to many fields, such as architecture, landscape architecture,...

Congratulations to all of our Spring 2022 graduates

Congratulations to all of the students in the NIU School of Art and Design, School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance who earned their undergraduate and graduate degrees last weekend. Nina Caliendo received her bachelor's degree in music education, and was...

Retired Art History professor Avra Liakos passed at 86

Avra Liakos, who taught art history in the NIU School of Art and Design from 1968 to 1999 passed away, April 29 at the age of 86. Avra was born in Athens, Greece and attended the University with the intention of studying law, but her love of art won out and she earned...

School of Music’s Gregory Beyer and percussion alumni featured on PBS’s “Now Hear This”

Gregory Beyer, Professor and Director of Percussion Studies in the NIU School of Music and percussion alumni Ethan Martin and Noel Streacker were recently featured on PBS' "Now Hear This." The three are part of Arcomusical, made up of Beyer and NIU Percussion graduate...

Artist, educator and philanthropist Dorothea Bilder passes at 81

Dorothea Bilder, an accomplished artist and educator and longtime philanthropic supporter of the visual arts passed away last week at the age of 81. Bilder was a professor of art in the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design for more than 35 years, and...

May 1 NIU Philharmonic concert a tribute to Jan Bach

The Northern Illinois University Philharmonic Orchestra is dedicating their upcoming concert to Dr. Jan Bach, an award-winning composer, musician and educator who passed away in 2020. The concert is Sunday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the...

Congratulate Professor of Dance Judith Chitwood on her retirement after the Dance Concert, May 1

Join the NIU School of Theatre and Dance at the final performance of this year’s Spring Dance Concert “The Past to the Present” as we congratulate Judith Chitwood, professor and coordinator of dance, on her retirement. In her distinguished career as a dance educator...

Spring Dance Concert features dances from “The Past to the Present”

The Spring Dance Concert in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance features a little something for everyone as the six dances feature styles that range from classic to cutting edge. The dance concert is held in the O'Connell Theatre in the Stevens Building on the NIU...

School of Theatre and Dance presents “The Language Archive”

Researchers studying a dying language become involved in a love triangle in this absurdist farce that teases out the quirky differences between what’s expressed and what’s meant in "The Language Archive" written by Julia Cho, directed by Bethany Mangum-Oles and Emily...

Art and Design Education’s Kryssi Staikidis named 2022 NIU Presidential Engagement and Partnership Professor

For nearly 20 years, Kryssi Staikidis has, through her work as a researcher and an art educator, been asking fundamental questions about how artistic engagement and intercultural exchanges within communities on a global level form bridges of mutual understanding and...

School of Music’s Liam Teague selected as 2022 NIU Board of Trustees Professor

Liam Teague, Professor of Music and Head of Steelpan Studies in the School of Music has added to his impressive list of accomplishments with his selection as a 2022 Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees Professor. Liam Teague has been selected as a 2022...

Caroline Kent, Northwestern University art theory and practice professor to give visiting scholar presentation at NIU, April 12

Caroline Kent, assistant professor of art theory and practice at Northwestern University, will deliver a visiting scholar presentation, Tuesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. in Room 100 of Jack Arends Hall, the Visual Arts Building on the NIU Main Campus. The presentation will...

Celebrate Thai New year with NIU

As part of NIU's World Music Festival you can celebrate Thai New Year with the NIU School of Music. On Thursday, April 14, the Music Building will be the site of a Songkran Thai New Year Celebration hosted by the NIU Thai Language Program and the NIU Thai Music...

Malika Green, ’05, M.M. ’07, Forges Passion for Jewelry-Making Into Business

Malika Green has always been an artistic soul, and her passion for creating has manifested itself in several ways and stages throughout her life. Growing up in Maryland in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Green was always an introvert, but she never shied away from...

World Music Festival features six free concerts over five nights

The annual World Music Festival in the NIU School of Music features six concerts between April 11 and 16. All concerts are free to attend. Monday, April 11 Japanese Taiko Concert Boutell Memorial Concert Hall 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 Chinese Music Concert Recital...

Steelband concert features guest artists, new songs, old favorites and more

The annual spring concert of the NIU Steelband, All-University Steelband, and CSA Steelband features guest vocalists, musicians, the DeKalb High School Steelband, the DeKalb High School Treble Symphonic Choir, Banda NIU, Dance Dimensions Company and more. The concert...

School of Music online merchandise shop taking orders through April 22

The NIU School of Music will offer a variety of branded items like t-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, quarter zips, hats, water bottles, sweatpants and more, through an online merchandise store at: niumusic.itemorder.com. The temporary site will be live until April 22, and...

Music alum Matt Novack composes music for new Netflix series

Matt Novack, a 2002 graduate of the NIU School of Music with a degree in music composition, served as the music composer for the new Netflix series Murderville.  Murderville is a comedy starring Will Arnett with improvised elements, including a new guest star homicide...

School of Theatre and Dance presents “The Conference of the Birds” April 1-3, 7-9

The Conference of the Birds, a play based on a twelfth century Suffi poem that follows a group of birds on a spiritual quest for enlightenment, is presented by the NIU School of Theatre and Dance April 1-3 and 7-9 in the Black Box Theatre of the Stevens Building. This...

School of Music’s Gregory Beyer releases third album with non-profit organization, Arcomusical

  NIU School of Music Professor Gregory Beyer, Director of Percussion Studies in the School of Music, is the artistic director of Arcomusical, a DeKalb-based non-profit with a mission to spread the joy of the berimbau Afro-Brazilian musical bow. Since 2016, the...

NIU Art Museum hosts silent auction to diversify its collection

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum will be hosting a silent benefit auction of small art pieces. The goal is to raise funds to make targeted purchases to diversify the collection. With the intention of reflecting the changing demographics of the university...

NIU photography students best world record holder for largest paper snowflake

NIU School of Art and Design students in ARTD 464 Advanced Photography: Post Production created a paper snowflake that measured 44 feet, six inches, besting the current Guinness of Book of World Record of 20 feet and one half inch. The students, led by Jessica...

NIU’s Opera Theatre presents “The Happy Prince” and a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, April 1 and 3

Northern Illinois University will present both the one-act opera The Happy Prince and a tribute to American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim with performances Friday, April 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the NIU Music Building....

Follow along live with the world record attempt for the world’s largest paper snowflake

Students in the photography area of the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design are attempting to break the world record for the world's largest paper snowflake today, starting at 1 p.m. in the NIU Convocation Center. You can follow along live by...

NIU School of Theatre and Dance to present an evening of short plays by Ukrainian playwrights

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance will present an evening of short plays by Ukrainian playwrights, Sunday, April 3, to raise funds to benefit Ukrainian artists. The event is part of The Ukrainian Component of the World-Wide Reading Project, readings of brand-new...

Art and Design presents visiting artist presentation by Sharif Bey

Sharif Bey, associate professor of art at Syracuse University will present an online visiting artist lecture, Monday, April 4 at 5 p.m. titled "Life, Art and Social Responsibility." Bey is a teaching artist in ceramics, sculpture, art community programming and art...

Voices of Belonging exhibit to run from March 31-April 14 in Founders Memorial Library

An interactive audio exhibit that builds on the work of last year's "Faces of Belonging" collaboration, "Voices of Belonging" will run from March 31-April 14 in NIU's Founders Memorial Library. Voices of Belonging is a collaboration among NIU's Northern Public Radio...

New media artist Snow Yunxue Fu to present visiting artist talk April 6

Snow Yunxue Fu, US-based Chinese-born artist, curator, and Assistant Arts Professor in the Department of Photography and Imaging at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts will present a visiting artist talk, Wednesday, April 6 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Fu's work builds off of...

School of Music students present benefit concert for Ukraine, March 25

Students from the Northern Illinois University School of Music will present a benefit concert organized to raise awareness and aid for Ukraine, Friday, March 25 at 8 p.m. in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building on NIU's main campus. Performers from the...

NIU photography students to attempt to set a Guinness World Record

Just because the Olympics are over doesn't mean world records are safe. On Tuesday, March 29, photography students from the NIU School of Art and Design are going to attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the world's largest cut-paper snowflake. The snowflake...

Student tickets available for Rhythm of the Dance at the Egyptian Theatre

NIU Students can get tickets to The National Dance Company of Ireland's Rhythm of the Dance, Saturday, March 19 at the Egyptian Theatre for just $25, a $5 discount. Fans everywhere are enjoying 2,000 years, and more, of dance, music, songs and culture from pre-Celtic...

Art and Design’s Kryssi Staikidis solo exhibition “Emergence” opens at ARC Gallery on March 3

Kryssi Staikidis, Ed.D., Professor and Head of Art and Design Education at the NIU School of Art and Design has a solo exhibition at the ARC Gallery in Chicago from March 3-26. The show is titled "Emergence" and there is an opening reception, Friday, March 11 from 5...

Huskie Spotlight: Rachael Yoder, MFA Acting, ’22

Hometown: Niskayuna, NY Year: Anticipated graduation year: 2022 Major: MFA in acting What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path? I have always wanted to be an actor. I remember going to the...

Art and Design Professor Emeritus Richard Siegesmund to present on qualitative research and the arts

Richard Siegesmund, professor emeritus of Art and Design Education in the NIU School of Art and Design is the featured speaker of the Qualitative Inquiry Collaborative at NIU. He is the next speaker in their online speaker series that highlights varied research...

NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents “You Are You”

The NIU School of Theatre and dance presents a new work by alumnus Matthew C. Yee titled "You are You" based on characters from Karel Čapek's play "RUR." Before "RUR" there were automatons and androids, but this is the play that gave us the word “robot.” Čapek’s 1921...

School of Music’s Rodrigo Villanueva receives Fulbright Scholarship Award

NIU School of Music Professor of Jazz Studies Rodrigo Villanueva has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to spend four months in Brazil researching Afro-Brazilian rhythms and teaching at two universities, the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (May 1 through...

Robert Sims featured in PBS American Masters film on Marian Anderson

Robert Sims, professor of music in the NIU School of Music is featured in a PBS American Masters documentary film on renowned American vocalist Marian Anderson. Sims worked as a music consultant, interviewee and actor on the project. "I was honored to be included in...

Gay Magnus, M.M. ’03, Leads Alpha School of Music in Jamaica

Music has called Gay Magnus, M.M. ’03, back home. Today, as the director of the music program for the Alpha School of Music in Kingston, Jamaica, she has the opportunity to instill in young students a passion for music she...

“Hit the Wall” runs Feb. 4-6 and 10-12 in the School of Theatre and Dance

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents "Hit the Wall" running February 4-6 and 10-12 in the Sally Stevens Players Theatre in the Stevens Building on NIU's main campus. It’s 1969, summer in New York, and Judy Garland is dead. Police raid the Stonewall Inn on June...

Amelia Kraehe to present visiting lecture on Creative Abolitionist Teaching

Dr. Amelia Kraehe, associate professor in art and visual culture education at the University of Arizona will present a visiting artist/scholar lecture, Tuesday, February 2 titled, "Creative Abolitionist Teaching: Anti-Racism Theory and Practice in the Art Classroom"...

Theatre and Dance faculty and staff members help SpaceX post-landing party take flight

On September 20, a SpaceX four-person crew who had spent three days in orbit splashed down off the Florida coast. One of those four crew members was Hayley Arceneaux, a 29-year old physician assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. When...

Northern Illinois University Art Museum presents Biennial School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibition

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum is pleased to announce the NIU School of Art and Design 2022 Faculty Biennial exhibition on display in the museum’s Altgeld Hall galleries Tuesday, Jan. 18 running through Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The biennial exhibition...

Free NIU student tickets for Jazz at the Egyptian, Feb. 5

DeKalb's iconic Egyptian Theatre hosts the Fifth Annual Jazz at the Egyptian, Saturday night, February 5 at 7 p.m. The concert features the NIU Jazz Orchestra, Jazz in Progress, the DeKalb High School Jazz Ensemble and the Sycamore High School Jazz Ensemble. Tickets...

NIU Chamber Choir and Percussion Ensemble to perform Misa Criolla at Illinois Music Educator’s Conference

NIU Professor of Music and Head of Choral Studies Eric Johnson had been waiting to have just the right mix of the number and kind of singers to take on a piece by Argentinian composer Ariel Ramírez, and last spring he had that mix, and enlisted the help of two fellow...

Father-daughter CVPA alumni score big on Shark Tank

What happens when you let Huskies into the shark tank? We found out in March, when Lindsey Valiulis Fleischhauer, ’04, and her father Stan Valiulis, ’84, presented their Totes Babies product to ABC’s critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy® Award-winning...

School of Music Sondheim tribute accepting auditions from students of any major by Jan. 28

SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 28 The School of Music and the Opera Department would like to offer an open call for students at NIU to be part of a Stephen Sondheim Tribute. Since the school is online the first week of school, it is asked that interested...

School of Music takes the show on the road to Indiana

The Indiana Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Ft. Wayne will have a distinct northern Illinois feel to it this weekend. Not only has Reggie Thomas, Professor and Head of Jazz Studies at NIU been asked to direct the Indiana All-State...

Dan Nichols named Chicagoan of the Year for Classical Music by Chicago Tribune

Dan Nichols, Head of Recording Services in the NIU School of Music has been named Chicagoan of the Year for Classical Music by the Chicago Tribune for the work his multimedia production company, Aphorism Studios has done in the past as "one of Chicago’s fastest-rising...

Illustration major Caitlyn Alejandre wins 2021 NIU Holiday Card Contest

Caitlin Alejandre, a senior illustration major from Marengo won the annual NIU Holiday Card contest this year with her entry, "NIU Community." "I love creating playful imagery and incorporating strange, delightful details," Alejandre said. "I wanted to include imagery...

Commencement profile: Jaron Woodsley, Steel Pan Studies

Jason Woodsley, a December graduate of the NIU School of Music was featured in this video profile that ran during the ceremony. Congratulations to Jaron and to all of our newest alumni. https://youtu.be/4B6ZZGnmfpo

Huskie Spotlight: CVPA Dean Paul Kassel

What year did you start working at NIU? July 1, 2016 Where is your hometown? and where do you live now? Geneva, IL Where did you attend college and what degree(s) have you earned? I attended Miami of Ohio and have a B.A. in communications and theatre. I also have an...

Art and Design presents Fall BFA Show, Nov. 30 – Dec. 3

The NIU School of Art and Design presents the Fall 2021 Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Show, an undergraduate exhibition, Tuesday, November 30 through Friday, December 3 in the Annette and Jerry Johns Gallery (Room 214) in Jack Arends Hall, the Visual Arts Building on...

Fall Dance Concert runs from November 18-21

A celebration of Broadway musicals is the theme of this year's NIU School of Theatre and Dance annual Fall Dance Concert. The Best of Broadway opens with a performance Thursday, October 18 at 7 p.m. with subsequent performances Friday, October 19 at 7 p.m., Saturday...

Art and Design’s Kelly Gross to present on artistic process and scientific principles at STEM Cafe

We often think of art and science as very different processes. But for Kelly Gross and Jolien Genus, art and science share the same processes of investigation, research and relationship building. At the next STEM Café, hear from these two artists and educators about...

2021 NIU Holiday Card Design Contest

NIU President Lisa C. Freeman invites all students to participate in the 2021 holiday card contest. Take advantage of the opportunity to be one of three artists who have their work featured on the official NIU president's electronic holiday card. President Freeman...

Thousands Strong kickoff featured several CVPA students

NIU's annual Thousands Strong day of giving got off to a great start on Wednesday night thanks to the hard work and talents of several students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The kickoff show was hosted by Kate Drury, a BFA acting candidate and dance...

Give today to Thousands Strong to support our students and programs

The Thousands Strong day of giving kicked off last night and we are off to an amazing start. As of 11 a.m. we have raised more than a half million dollars on more than 700 gifts. You can support the university and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Our giving...

David Maki, ’89, One of the Thousands Strong

When David Maki, ’89, sets off for a day’s work as NIU's School of Music’s coordinator of music theory and composition, he knows it will be filled with beautiful melodies. Teaching music theory and aural skills classes, as well as private composition lessons, a...

Second annual Thousands Strong event begins Nov. 10 at 5:30 pm

Thousands Strong is an opportunity for alumni and friends to engage with NIU in an exciting, virtual initiative that will increase and expand alumni pride and engagement, and celebrate the impact of philanthropy at Northern Illinois University. This year, this day of...

125th Anniversary event: Celebration Showcase of Southeast Asian Performing Arts

Don't forget the NIU 12th Anniversary event: Celebration Showcase of Southeast Asian Performing Arts, Friday, November 5 at 7 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building on the NIU main campus.

New adaptation of “Three Sisters” opens in School of Theatre and Dance

A new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's classic "Three Sisters" opens Friday, November 5 in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. This world-premiere of a new adaptation translated and directed by Alexander Gelman, the school's Distinguished Engagement Professor and Head...

Concerto Competition Final Round – November 6

A long running tradition continues when the NIU School of Music holds the final round of its annual Concerto Competition, Saturday, November 6 in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. Performances start at 4 p.m. Admission is free of charge. Here are the performers and...

NIU Steelpan students crowdfunding receives attention in Trinidad and Tobago

A crowdfunding campaign supported by the NIU School of Music and the NIU Foundation to help support the expenses of three NIU Steelpan Studies graduate studies from Trinidad and Tobago was recently featured in their home country's largest newspaper, The Guardian....

From wayang to gamelan, NIU presents a Showcase of Southeast Asian Performing Arts, Nov. 5

Ever since last spring’s pandemic shutdown, NIU Center for Southeast Asian Studies associate Jui-Ching Wang, professor of world music, looked forward to rescheduling what was going to be a showcase of Southeast Asian performing arts to celebrate NIU’s 125th...

AAPI Faculty and Staff reception to follow Classical Guitar recital by An Tran, Nov. 16

Immediately following a faculty recital, Tuesday, November 16, by the NIU School of Music's internationally acclaimed classical guitarist An Tran, an AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) faculty and staff reception will be held in the lobby of the Boutell...

Theatre and Dance presents Twelfth Night Oct. 29-31 and Nov. 4-6

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in the Stevens Building's Black Box Theatre, October 29-31 and November 4-6. Did you ever have the urge to run away to the circus? The upside-down world of Illyria is a little like a...

“On the Spot!!!” improv comedy show coming to NIU’s Third Onion Oct. 28-30

Part improvisational theatre, part late-night comedy club, On the Spot invites audience members to shout out ideas for Xavier Smith’s improv troupe to develop on stage and “on the spot.” In between skits and games, three stand-up comedians will perform seven-minute...

Ninth annual NIU New Music Festival to feature guest composer Regina Harris Baiocchi and Haiku Festival Chicago  

FEATURING: A composer portrait of music by Chicago-based composer Regina Harris Baiocchi A night of brand new music in conjunction and celebration with Haiku Festival Chicago Premieres of sixteen new works by NIU student and faculty composers NIU School of Music...

Crowdfund established to support three Steelpan grad students from Trinidad and Tobago with their studies

The NIU Foundation has established a crowdfunding campaign to support three School of Music graduate students from Trinidad and Tobago who are earning their master's degrees in music with an emphasis in steelpan performance at NIU. Joshua Bedeau, Jalen Charles and...

Art and Design presents visiting artist/scholar presentation on Learning in the Making

The NIU School of Art and Design presents "Learning in the Making" a visiting artist/scholar presentation by Dr. Kimberly Sheridan, co-director of the Mason Arts Research Center at George Mason University. The presentation will be held Monday, Oct. 18 in Room 110 of...

“Edward II” opens Friday in School of Theatre and Dance

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents Edward II a new adaptation of the play originally written in 1592 by Christopher Marlowe, opening Friday, October 15. Frankie DiCiaccio authored this adaptation and serves as both director and choreographer. In recent...

Theatre and Dance presents: “Kernel of Sanity” opening this weekend

The 2021-2022 performance season the NIU School of Theatre and Dance opens Friday, October 1 with Kermit Frazier's, Kernel of Sanity in the Sally Stevens Players Theatre, in the Stevens Building on the NIU main campus. The production is directed by School of Theatre...

Live theater returns with a full season of productions at the NIU School of Theatre and Dance

A full season of live theater and dance productions returns to NIU this year, as the School of Theatre and Dance welcomes back audiences to the theaters in the Stevens Building on the main campus. From classics like Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, new adaptions of Three...

Science photographer Michael Peres to speak at School of Art and Design

Michael Peres, an award-winning photo educator, author and science photographer in the School of Photographic Art and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology will be presenting at the NIU School of Art and Design, Thursday, October 7 on "Images Within Images."...

Huskie Marching Band to perform at Bears-Bengals game Sunday

Halftime of Sunday's game at Soldier Field between the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals will feature the Pride of the Midwest, the NIU Huskie Marching Band! If you're not going to that game, you can next see the band in action at the next home NIU football game,...

NIU, area high schools present The Big Sing to celebrate choral music

A live choral concert with a chance for the community to sing-a-long at various points, promises to be a fun-filled afternoon at the newly renovated Egyptian Theatre, September 19 at 3 p.m. "The Big Sing" features local choral ensembles Cor Cantiamo, the Northern...

Pokorny Low Brass Seminar brought musicians from all over the country to NIU this summer

For four days late in July, the NIU Music Building was full of the sounds of some of the best tuba and trombone players from around the country sharing tips, learning new things and enjoying being able to play in person with others for the first time in a while. NIU...

NIU Art Museum opens exhibitions that examine refugees and global humanitarian crises

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum’s exhibition Refuge and Refugee as well as The Art of Surviving: The Journey of the Karen Refugees in Illinois organized by the Center for Burma Studies at NIU opens in the Art Museum’s Altgeld Hall galleries Tuesday, August...

Own an iconic School of Music Recital Hall chair

Anyone who has attended a recital at the NIU School of Music in the last 40 years has had the opportunity to sit in an iconic Herman Miller Eames chair. Now, you have the opportunity to own one (or more) of those chairs. The School of Music has replaced the chairs as...

Art and Design returns to face-to-face exhibitions with “re-Emerge”

After nearly a year and a half without face to face exhibits the School of Art and Design is excited to host re-Emerge, an exhibition of work by recent alumni in the School of Art and Design at the historic Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb, during Corn Fest, August...

Register for lessons, classes and ensembles at NIU Community School of the Arts

The NIU Community School of the Arts has provided high-quality arts education opportunities for community members of all ages for more than 30 years.  CSA programs and activities currently offered for personal enrichment include music and art classes, music ensembles,...

NIU School of Music well represented on Corn Fest Community Stage

Several ensembles from the Northern Illinois University School of Music will be performing on the Community Stage at this year's DeKalb Corn Fest. The Community Stage is located in the newly renovated (and air conditioned!) Egyptian Theatre. There is no entry fee and...

Music Ed alum Eric Caliendo shares “The Chicago Experience”

When Eric Caliendo, ‘91, earned his bachelor’s in music education, it was no surprise when he began a career as a music teacher in Schaumburg, Illinois. Today, as the band director at Jane Addams Jr. High School in Schaumburg, Caliendo has been teaching in the same...

CVPA Dean Paul Kassel to direct outdoor performances of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for Kane County Repertory Theatre

Kane Repertory Theatre, in partnership with the St. Charles Park District, presents a live outdoor production of the Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet at the Historic Pavilion on the Fox River. The play, is directed by Northern Illinois University’s Dean of the...

Memorial service for retired art faculty member John Rooney

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary Church, Sycamore, at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24 to celebrate the life of John Rooney, celebrated painter and former faculty member at Northern Illinois University School of Art. John was a member of the painting faculty at...

Artist and Educator Agnes Ma grateful for NIU faculty mentorship

Just as Agnes Ma, M.F.A. ’15, was finishing up her bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, she was also discovering a totally different career path as an artist. “Up until my senior year of college, I had...

CVPA’s Christopher Scanlon joins Chicago based, award winning chamber ensemble, Axiom Brass

Christopher Scanlon, assistant professor of trumpet in the NIU School of Music has joined the award-winning ensemble Axiom Brass. Described as “exceptional ambassadors for classical music” and “innovative programmers” Axiom Brass pairs newer works by composers such as...

Paul Kassel to serve second five-year term as Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts

Paul Kassel, Dean of the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts, who has guided the college through some extraordinarily challenging times, has accepted the offer of a second five-year term as dean. Kassel came to NIU in 2015 after more than a dozen years as a...

Show your support as Huskies United kicks off

At 4:25 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, the NIU Foundation kicks off  Huskies United — a day of giving — when those who love our great university can show their Huskie pride and help move NIU forward. Huskies United centers around four strategic...

Douglas Boughton to serve as Director of the School of Art and Design

Douglas Boughton, Ph.D., who had been serving as Acting Director of the NIU School of Art and Design since the fall of 2020 has accepted the position on a permanent basis. It is Boughton's second stint as director of the school. He also served in the role from 2008 to...

Ed Klonoski selected Associate Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts

Ed Klonoski has been selected as the Associate Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Northern Illinois University. He stepped into that role on an acting basis in the fall of 2020 after serving as NIU's Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate...

Graduation Stories: Angie Redmond, MFA Paining, Museum Studies certificate

Angie Redmond received her MFA in Painting with a museum studies certificate, and was one of many NIU students who were able to attend an in-person graduation ceremony over the weekend. Angie's story was featured in the master's degree commencement video. Also...

Graduation Stories: Jill Belluomini, Lincoln Laureate winner, Dance Minor

Jill Belluomini, NIU's 2021 Lincoln Laureate winner, chemistry major and dance minor, was featured in the commencement video for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Here's Jill's story: Also featured were Art and Design's Angie Redmond and Music's Izabella...

Graduation Stories: Izabella Gieron, BM Music Education and Violin Performance, independent study orchestral conducting

Izabella Gieron was one of a brand new group of NIU alumni to be able to attend an in-person commencement ceremony. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Violin Performance with independent study in orchestral conducting. She was also featured in the...

Congratulations to the Class of 2021

Congratulations to all of the graduates in the class of 2021. NIU is holding in-person commencement ceremonies Friday, June 3, Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 in Huskie Stadium. Programs are available online for the June 2021 commencement, May and August 2020...

NIU awards steelpan innovator Anthony Williams an honorary doctorate in human letters

One of the most unique and iconic aspects of the School of Music at Northern Illinois University, and the university as a whole, is the success and prominence of its Steelpan program. It is fitting that a man who has had both a direct and indirect influence will have...

NIU students partner with WNIJ reporters to tell stories with data

A collaboration between public radio station WNIJ and students in NIU’s data visualization courses helps to build student portfolios and improve reporting in the region. In 2020, NIU graduate student Bharat Kale prepared graphics to accompany WNIJ reporting in...

Still time to sign up for summer online arts camps

The NIU Community School of the Arts is offering online summer camps for kids ages 11-19 (grades 6-12). Have fun and make lifelong friends while exploring your love of performing and visual arts. Faculty, staff and alumni from the College of Visual and Performing Arts...

Thank you for your support of Curtain Call!

Thank you to everyone who helped support the College of Visual Arts first crowdfunding campaign. Donations to Curtain Call! totaled more than $2,000 and will help fund seniors in the Schools of Art and Design, School of Music and School of Theatre and Dance for the...

First-Generation Huskie Daniil Krimer, grows Kane Repertory Theatre

When Daniil Krimer graduated with his M.F.A. in acting in 2019, he had no way of knowing the kinds of changes that were on the horizon. When he founded the Kane Repertory Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois, in 2019 and became its artistic director, he had no idea that...

Still time to give to Curtain Call! and the Dean will match your donation

Just two days remain to give to our Crowdfund campaign to support our senior artists. As a last minute incentive, Paul Kassel, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts will match the next $750 in new donations! Visit our crowdfund page to make your...

Huskie Spotlight: Matthew Kiser

Matthew Kiser Bachelor's in Music Performance, emphasis in Steelpan Studies What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path? As a kid, my interests were always evolving and changing. I always was...

NIU Philharmonic Orchestra joins Rockford Symphony Orchestra for “The Orchestra Sings” online

Due to the pandemic, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra's annual Youth Concert for students in grades three through five was not able to proceed “as usual.” However, the RSO wanted to find a way to offer the concert because it is a  valuable experience for the students...

Huskie Spotlight: Izabella Gieron

Izabella Gieron Spring 2021 graduate, Bachelor's in Music Education and Violin Performance, Independent Study in Orchestral Conducting "I decided to study these majors because I want to be able to share my knowledge and passion for music through playing, teaching, and...

CVPA faculty serve as mentors on College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Senior Design Day projects

Every year seniors in NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology engage in a year-long design project that involves creating or improving commercial products or industrial processes. They are mentored by faculty and industry professionals to get hands-on,...

Art History’s Sinclair Bell named 2021 Presidential Teaching Professor

In nominating Prof. Sinclair Bell for the Presidential Teaching Professorship, Judith Testa, professor emerita of the NIU School of Art and Design, described Bell as “that rare individual among university faculty members: a brilliant, innovative and extraordinarily...

Dance’s Paula Frasz named 2021 Presidential Engagement and Partnerships Professor

For the past 28 years, Paula Frasz has been designing dances that mirror her students, their experiences and the world we all live in. “All artists reflect wherever they are,” she said. “I don’t just see our students in the classroom. This is my community. This is...

An internship provided Izabella Gieron the conducting experience she’s long waited for

Izabella Gieron knew she wanted to be a conductor since high school, and as she completes her degree in the NIU School of Music, an internship this year with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) has given her the chance to get hands-on experience. “My high...

CVPA’s Jessica Labatte and Paula Frasz among this year’s winners of Deacon Davis Awards

The Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE), formerly the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities (PSCM), has reimagined the annual Diversity and Inclusion luncheon as a virtual summit. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 14...

NIU Foundation launches crowdfunding campaigns, including one to support graduating artists

Those looking to make a difference at NIU have a new tool to help raise much-needed financial support. NIU Impact, the NIU Foundation’s new crowdfunding program at http://crowdfund.niu.edu and features ten campaigns. One of those campaigns is "Curtain Call! - Support...

Reggie and Mardra Thomas featured in immersive online experience “Into The Mist”

Reggie Thomas, professor of music and head of jazz studies and his wife, jazz vocalist Mardra Thomas are part of the cast of characters and performers in the immersive, online musical experience, "Into the Mist" developed by Evanston artist Steve Rashid. Into the...

April 22 Wind Symphony concert to feature world premiere music

As the spring semester nears an end, the NIU School of Music presents a special Wind Symphony concert that will not only showcase the hard work of NIU students, but will also feature a pair of premieres of newly composed music. The concert will feature the world...

David Maki named finalist in Zodiac International Music Competition

David Maki, professor and coordinator of composition and theory in the NIU School of Music is a finalist in the Third Zodiac International Music Competition in the composers category. The Third Zodiac International Music Competition aims to discover exceptional...

Exhibits and conversations promote Belonging in DeKalb

While the pandemic has been keeping people apart, the City of DeKalb, Northern Illinois University and a collection of local agencies have been working to bring the DeKalb community closer together through the Belonging initiative. The initiative to develop a...

Theatre and Dance Black Artists Speaker Series presents J. Nicole Brooks, April 9

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance Black Artists Speaker Series welcomes alumna, J. Nicole Brooks for a guest artist lecture, Friday, April 9 at 3 p.m. via Zoom. Brooks is an award-winning actor, writer and director. Her selected acting credits include Lottery...

NIU alumni founded theater to premiere work starring Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts

Kane Repertory Theatre was founded by a group of recent graduates from the NIU School of Theatre and Dance and premiered their first show in 2019. Kane Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Daniil Krimer and Managing Director Avery Bowne announce the world premiere...

Theatre and Dance presents live stream of Angels in America

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents a live streamed performance of Tony Kushner's Angels in America. Tickets are free of charge and can be reserved online. Performances will be streamed at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27. The School of...

Typography, Memory and Heritage – A Brazilian Perspective, lecture March 24

Priscila Farias, PhD, a professor at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, will give a presentation on Typograpy, Memory and Heritage, A Brazilian Perspective as part of the NIU School of Art and Design's Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History lecture...

Wrapped in Fashion: Japanese Kimono next up in Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History Lecture Series

"Wrapped in Fashion: Japanese Kimono," is the next talk in the Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History Lecture Series. Presented by Janice Katz, the Roger L. Weston Associate Curator of Japanese Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, the lecture will be held...

NIU Printmaking exhibition at ARC Gallery Chicago

Students in the Printmaking Area of the NIU School of Art and Design are exhibiting their work at the ARC Gallery in Chicago, 1463 W. Chicago Ave. Plucked & Gleaned opened on March 6 and runs through March 27. It is a group exhibition of fine art prints. The work...

Visiting artist lecture on Ohio Earthworks and World Heritage, March 17

Join Dr. Christine Ballengee Morris, professor in arts administration, education and policy development and director of American Indian Studies for The Ohio State University for a free, open to the public virtual lecture, Wednesday, March 17 at 5 p.m. Several thousand...

Artist, entrepreneur Cheryl Holz virtual visiting artist talk, March 9

Join mixed-media artist Cheryl Holz as she presents a visiting artist talk to the NIU School of Art and Design, Tuesday, March 9 at 11 a.m. Holz is a Midwestern artist whose mixed media artwork celebrates nature's strength, beauty and diversity. Like sediment...

Learning to take risks at NIU helped Jermaine Stegall’s work on “Coming 2 America”

For Jermaine Stegall, composing the music for the long-awaited sequel to the Eddie Murphy hit movie "Coming To America" came with a set of challenges, seen and unforeseen, but the final product reflects a film where music is as much of a character as any of the...

Theatre and Dance to present “Everybody” via webcast March 5 and 6

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents "Everybody" by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. There is no charge for tickets but you must reserve your space. This modern riff on the fifteenth-century morality...

Cartoonist Leigh Rubin visiting artist presentation, March 4

Cartoonist Leigh Rubin, whose cartoon "Rubes" is syndicated in more than 400 media outlets worldwide and distributed by Creators Syndicate will take part in an online visiting artist presentation with the NIU School of Art and Design, Thursday, March 4 at 11 a.m....

Photographer John Opera to give visiting artist lecture March 1

John Opera, a photographer who "works at the intersection of photographic materiality and light-derived abstraction" will present a visiting lecture for the NIU School of Art and Design, Monday, March 1 at 5 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public via Zoom...

Honors Recital to feature CSA Talent Scholarship Winners 

Six talented young musicians perform in the annual CSA Honors Recital at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on Saturday, February 27 at 1:30 p.m.  All are recipients of this year’s CSA Talent Scholarship, awarded annually by the NIU Community School of the Arts. ...

LVL3’s Vincent Uribe to chat with ARTS715 class

Vincent Uribe, director of LVL3, an artist-run exhibition space and online publication launched in 2010 will chat with students in ART715: Professional Studio Practices, in an open to the public Zoom, Thursday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. Uribe is an artist and creative...

In Art Gallery director to discuss resources for artists to exhibit their work

Haley Clancy Inyart, co-director of The In Art Gallery, an online gallery and resource for artists in all ranges of careers to have a platform to exhibit artwork and reach a global audience, will be the subject of a Zoom meeting, Thursday, February 25 at 11 a.m. The...

Alexis Lamb earns scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters

Alexis C. Lamb, an alumna of the NIU School of Music with bachelor of music degrees in both percussion performance and music education, has been selected as one of six winners of the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Lamb studied...

TV’s influence on the work of Jean-Michael Basquiat is the subject of the next Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History series

The influence of television on the works of acclaimed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1980s paintings, drawings and music is the subject of the next installment in the NIU School of Art and Design's Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History series. "Jean-Michael...

MFA grad Geoffrey Todd Smith featured at Western Exhibitions

Chicago based artist Geoffrey Todd Smith, a 1997 MFA graduate of the NIU School of Art has a solo exhibition currently running at Western Exhibitions, 1709 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago. Sordid Orchestra is Smith's sixth solo show at Western Exhibitions. The gallery...

Theatre alumna Nicole Upton promoted to managing director of Ingenuity

Nicole Upton, an NIU graduate who earned her bachelor of arts in comprehensive theatre studies from the School of Theatre and Dance has been promoted to managing director of Ingenuity. Ingenuity is an organization founded in 2011 to increase arts education access,...

NIU Art Museum Gallery Talk on the works of Ellen Roth Deutsch

The work of artist Ellen Roth Deutsch was the subject of an online gallery talk given by Jo Burke, director of the NIU Art Museum. In the presentation, "From the Mind of Ellen Roth Deutsch" Burke discussed the current exhibition in the NIU Art Museum and showed some...

Art and Design Professor Todd Buck’s work featured in Doctors Without Borders publication

Todd Buck, professor and illustration area coordinator of the NIU School of Art and Design created all of the illustrations in a new report published by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders titled "Overcoming Neglect" which calls for an improved global...

NIU Art Museum Artist Lecture – Landis Blair

Artist Landis Blair gave an online artist lecture for the Northern Illinois University Art Museum titled: "Mirth and Mayhem: Landis Blair Selection of Drawings and Books." To view more of Blair's work visit his website at landisblair.com. Bio of Landis Blair: Author...

Dr. Philip Ewell to discuss “Music Theory’s White Racial Frame” at School of Music Convocation

Dr. Philip Ewell, associate professor of music theory at Hunter College of the City University of New York will discuss "Music Theory's White Racial Frame" at the School of Music All-Student Convocation, Thursday, February 18 at 11 a.m. The convocation will be...

Art and Design alumnus Joe Tallman advances in Pabst Blue Ribbon can design contest

Joe Tallman, a graduate of the illustration program in the NIU School of Art and Design is one of five finalists in Pabst Blue Ribbon's contest to redesign their cans. Tallman's entry was one of thousands submitted and he made the cutdown to the top 25 designs and has...

Art and Design Education’s Kryssi Staikidis honored by National Arts Education Associaton

Kryssi Staikidis, Ed.D., Professor and Head of Art and Design Education in the Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the National Arts Education Association's June King McFee Award. The June King McFee Award...

Photography students selected for publications and exhibitions

A number of photography students in the NIU School of Art and Design have had work selected for publications and exhibitions recently. Mikayla Shuster's "Cat Nap" was chosen for Analog Forever Magazine's December "Love in all forms" exhibition:Amy Fleming earned...

Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History Series returns with Linda Safran on the relevance of medieval art

The Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History Series returns for the spring with an online lecture titled, "When, Where and What is Medieval Art--And Why Does It Matter?" presented by Linda Safran, PhD, Associate Fellow at the Pontifical Institute of Medieval...

Photography project among next steps to enhance ‘belonging’ in DeKalb

Efforts by Northern Illinois University and local partners to increase racial healing recently got a boost from the State of Illinois in the form of a grant to foster efforts to create a Belonging leadership council and fund public art and engagement activities in...

Playwright Ike Holter to address Theatre and Dance students as part of the Black Artists Speaker Series

Ike Holter, an award-winning playwright based in Chicago will give a guest lecture to students in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance, Friday, January 29 from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. as part of the school's Black Artist Speaker Series. Holter is a winner of the...

South African actor Anton Krueger to serve virtual residency at School of Theatre and Dance

South African actor, playwright, director and scholar Anton Krueger will be serving a virtual residency in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance with free events on Thursday, January 21 through Saturday, January 23. Krueger is a writer and scholar specializing in South...

Audition for STIGMA: a collection of scenes and monologues with etudes and dances

Sabrina Helton, a senior in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance is working on her senior project, a performance piece centered around the theme of suicide prevention. She is inviting other students to audition to participate in the project, STIGMA: A collection of...

Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing available Jan. 10-12

NIU, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the DeKalb County Health Department are partnering to offer our community free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, through Tuesday, Jan. 12.  Employees and students who are not in the...

Johns Fund provides annual support to NIU Art Museum

The DeKalb County Community Foundation and the NIU Art Museum are thrilled to announce the Friends of NIU Art Museum Endowment Fund. This new Designated Fund provides annual financial support to the NIU Art Museum to further their mission of serving campus and...

Narrative art exhibition suite opens at NIU Art Museum Jan. 12

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum opens three exhibitions that consider narrative artwork and imagery Tuesday, January 12. The exhibitions examine artworks’ ability to chronicle or present narrative themes that relay a series of events, subjects, or use...

Art History Professor Sinclair Bell wins prestigious NEH Fellowship to study Race in Antiquity

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently announced $32.8 million in grants to support 213 humanities projects in 44 states, including a research Fellowship for Sinclair Bell, Professor of Art History at Northern Illinois University, to research the...

Dance minor Jill Belluomini chosen as NIU’s Lincoln Laureate

Jill Belluomini can gracefully conquer both a molecular dynamics simulation and a pirouette. Her major and minor at NIU—chemistry and dance—represent her two passions. As different as they may seem, to her, they’re intertwined. For Belluomini, life is all about...

College of Visual and Performing Arts Virtual Commencement video

In case you missed it, or want to see it again, help us congratulate the Class of 2020 once again with this year's virtual commencement. All of last weekend's virtual commencement ceremonies are available to watch online.

NIU hosts virtual commencement ceremonies this weekend

While the COVID-19 pandemic has robbed us of many special moments, Northern Illinois University is determined that the graduating classes of 2020 will get the send-off they deserve. This Saturday and Sunday, the university will host virtual commencement ceremonies to...

Watch the premiere of Michael Barnes’ artist talk on lithography, Dec. 10

Join Michael Barnes, Northern Illinois University School of Art and Design Professor of Art, Head of Printmaking and 2020 Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor as he discusses lithography history and historic prints for the NIU Art Museum. The...

Researching the Reverse Glass Painting Tradition Across Buddhist Southeast Asia with Dr. Catherine Raymond

Catherine Raymond, Director of the Center for Burma Studies at NIU and Professor of Art History in the School of Art and Design presented an online lecture for the NIU Art Museum, November 19 titled, Researching the Reverse Glass Painting Tradition Across Buddhist...

NIU educator-licensure programs rated highly in inaugural Illinois Preparation Profile report

A first-time report released Dec. 7 by the Illinois State Board of Education gives high marks to Northern Illinois University’s educator-licensure programs. The Illinois Preparation Profile (IPP), called a “continuous improvement and accountability system,” aims to...

CSA Steelband concert live on YouTube, Dec. 5

Enjoy the Community School of the Arts (CSA) Steelband and Friends LIVE CONCERT online this Saturday, December 5 starting at 5:00 pm on YouTube. Under the direction of NIU's Yuko Asada, the CSA Steelband has prepared a fun and uplifting music program for all to enjoy...

Co-writer Mary Holland ’07, stars in Hulu’s acclaimed holiday movie “Happiest Season”

Mary Holland, a 2007 BFA graduate of the NIU School of Theatre and Dance is the co-writer and co-star of Hulu's acclaimed new holiday movie, Happiest Season. Holland co-wrote the romantic comedy with Clea DuVall, whom she starred with on HBO's Veep, and the film also...

Watch: Dr. Ellen Winner’s guest lecture, “How Art Works: Five Puzzles”

In her lecture, “How Arts Works: Five Puzzles,” presented to NIU School of Art and Design, November 10, artist and experimental psychologist Dr. Ellen Winner discusses puzzles about the arts that have preoccupied philosophers as well as the general public. Can art be...

Dancing Together Forward: Fall 2020 Dance Concert premieres Nov. 20

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance presents Dancing Together Forward: Fall 2020 Dance Concert with six airings over the next two weeks, premiering Friday, November 20 at 7 p.m. on YouTube. This screen dance was made in collaboration with the dancers and...

Girls and Dolls cast and crew take ‘explore the space’ to new limits

There is a certain satisfaction that can be achieved in finding a solution to a problem that you not only have never faced, but had never anticipated. The cast and crew of the recent production of Girls and Dolls in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance certainly know...

Thousands Strong kickoff video features CVPA talent

The NIU Foundation kicked off its annual Day of Giving with a Thousands Strong video event, Wednesday, November 18, and the video featured a number of students and alumni of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The video is hosted by Kate Drury, a B.F.A....

Bobby Broom featured in DownBeat magazine’s annual reader’s poll

Bobby Broom, assistant professor of jazz guitar and jazz studies in the School of Music was featured, for the second time in five years, in DownBeat magazine's annual reader's poll edition. In the December 2020 issue, Broom was chosen as one of the top guitarists in...

Register for music lessons, ensembles, and classes at the NIU Community School of the Arts 

For more than 30 years, NIU Community School of the Arts has offered music education and instruction for children and adults of all ages.  The CSA offers activities for personal enrichment year-round for community members who participate in classes, lessons, and music...

NIU’s “Thousands Strong” Virtual Events Celebrate Huskie Pride

In celebration of our positive impact throughout the world, Northern Illinois Huskies and friends of the university are invited to participate in the NIU Foundation “Thousands Strong” virtual events, which will take place Nov. 18-20. From 7-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday,...

David Spoehr, ’02, gets creative with Chicago-based design company Monroestar

It is the year 1998, and NIU visual communication student David Spoehr is passionately cheering on the Huskies football team (who were on a significant losing streak) while decked out in full face and chest paint at Huskie Stadium. He is there with his best...

Mike Rea and friends present, “I Yell Because I Care, He Needs Me” on instruments real, and imagined

One of the most talked about pieces in the NIU Art Museum's current installation, the NIU School of Art and Design Faculty Continuum is a sculpture of a piano, "Tight Notes and Black Holes, CTINH (Conceptualize there is no Heaven"  created by Mike Rea, associate...

Emily Vitrano, M.F.A. ’19, Enriches World Through the ‘Art of Theater’

Growing up in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Emily Vitrano, M.F.A. ’19, was a very imaginative child. She had lots of time on her own, creating different worlds and playing in them for hours and hours. “I was a very outgoing child and loved to make my older brothers laugh,”...

Kelly Clarkson “Zoom crashes” NIU Music Education alumna’s online class

Amanda Brex-Castillo, the choral director at South Elgin High School and Kenyon Woods Middle School, received an unexpected visitor during one of her recent South Elgin online classes. Three-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson popped into the Zoom stream to...

University Chorus creates a ‘musical postcard’ for the campus

Singers in the NIU University Chorus, conducted by Mary Lynn Doherty, Assistant Director of the School of Music, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education, received a little extra assignment as they were learning the four part arrangement to the NIU Alma...

Art and Design’s Mike Rea presents “I Yell Because I Care, He Needs Me” music video, November 14

Artist and Associate Professor of Sculpture Mike Rea puts together "a band" to produce a music video featuring his ​sculpture Tight Notes and Black Holes, CTINH (Conceptualize there is no Heaven), 2019. I Yell Because I Care, He Needs Me, ​is a site-specific...

Comic book cover illustrator Jenny Frison to present visiting artist talk, Nov. 18

Jenny Frison, who has created covers for Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Batman, Black Panther, The X-Men and many more will present a virtual visiting artist talk on Zoom, Wednesday, November 18 at 5 p.m. The lecture can be accessed on Zoom with meeting ID 845 2949 1367,...

Visiting artist Kayla Schlipf on when illustration is “more than just a job”

Kayla Schlipf, a BFA graduate from the NIU School of Art and Design will give a virtual visiting artist talk for the Illustration Area titled, "Redefining success: When illustration is more than just a job." The lecture will be presented Thursday, November 12 at 5...

Illustration area presents visiting artist talk from Brian Povich, industrial designer

Brian Povich, an industrial designer and 2007 BFA graduate in Illustration from the NIU School of Art and Design is presenting a visiting artist talk, Wednesday, November 11 at 5 p.m. The virtual presentation can be viewed on Zoom, (Meeting ID 833 4676 7133, with the...

Black Playwrights Reading Series presents: “Sender” by Ike Holter

The final show in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance Black Playwrights Reading Series is "Sender" by Ike Holter, Sunday, November 16. The reading will be live streamed on Zoom (passcode: 697381), at 7:30 p.m. "Doors" will open at 7 p.m. Following the reading, we...

School of Theatre and Dance presents: Black Playwrights Reading Series, beginning Nov. 1

The NIU School of Theatre and Dance is presenting a Black Playwrights Reading Series, beginning Sunday, November 1 at 7 p.m., with Tanya Barfield's "Bright Half Life."The first reading will be streamed free and open to the public on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. November 1....

NIU Illustration visiting artist talk, Gawki, Oct. 28

The Illustration area of the School of Art and Design presents a visiting artist talk with independent artist Ki, Wednesday, October 28 on Zoom. The visiting artist talk will be held at zoom.us/join at 5 p.m. The Meeting ID is 880 3625 2467 and the password is 155171....

“Follow Us Home” Huskie Marching Band 2020 Homecoming performance

Homecoming at NIU was a little different this year, with COVID-19 restrictions in place and a MAC football season that doesn't start until November, but the Pride of the Midwest, the Huskie Marching Band put together a halftime show for everyone to enjoy in the...

Artist/experimental psychologist Ellen Winner to lecture at NIU, Nov. 10

The School of Art and Design at Northern Illinois University will host a guest lecture by artist and experimental psychologist Dr. Ellen Winner, titled "How Art Works: Five Puzzles." Winner is professor of psychology at Boston College and senior research associate at...

Larissa Barnat wins Best Artist Video at Woodstock art exhibition

Larissa Barnat, a third year Master of Fine Arts student in the School of Art and Design earned the "Best Artist Video" prize at the Dangerous Lullabies VI art exhibition in Woodstock, Ill. The exhibition is being held at the Old Courthouse Arts Center in Woodstock,...

NIU NAEA Student Chapter presents an alumni lecture on interviewing and teaching during unexpected circumstances

The NIU Student Chapter of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) welcomes Chelsea Cwiklik, a 2020 MFA graduate of the School of Art and Design to their Invited Speaker Alumni Series. Cwiklik's presentation, "Not A Normal Year: Navigating the Interview Process...

Art From Home: Raphael (studies)

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

Visiting Artist Lecture: The Lettering and Calligraphy of WA Dwiggins, Nov. 4

The School of Art and Design is hosting a visiting artist lecture by calligrapher, type designer and design historian Paul Shaw, on the words American graphic artist W.A. Dwiggins. William Addison (W.A.) Dwiggins was a master calligrapher, book designer, and type...

Community conversation “Belonging” with john a. powell, Oct. 22

The City of DeKalb and Northern Illinois University present, "Belonging" a community conversation with Dr. john a. powell. It is a virtual conversation, from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 22. In January 2020, the NIU Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion...

Geof Bradfield and this “temporary trio” featured on NPR’s Fresh Air

Geof Bradfield, professor of jazz saxophone and jazz studies in the NIU School of Music was part of a feature on NPR's "Fresh Air" about the release of his trio's new album "General Semantics." Fresh Air's jazz critic Kevin Whitehead described the new effort, "Reed...

Scenes from Black Lives Matter street mural painting

Students, faculty, staff and community members joined together on Thursday, Oct. 1 on Castle Drive to enjoy music from the NIU Black Choir, percussion and jazz ensembles of the NIU School of Music and a performance by students in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance,...

NIU to host art for social justice event to paint Black Lives Matter at the university’s entrance

The Northern Illinois University Center for Black Studies and the College of Visual and Performing Arts are hosting an art for social justice event, "Art and Soul."  The event will be held Thursday, October 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the main entrance of the university on...

Art and Design’s Kryssi Staikidis publishes book on Artistic Mentoring as a Decolonizing Methodology

Kryssi Staikidis, Professor and Head of Art and Design Education in NIU's School of Art and Design has recently published the book, Artistic Mentoring as a Decolonizing Methodology: An Evolving Collaborative Painting Ethnography with Maya Artists Pedro Rafael González...

NIU Sculpture Visiting Artist Talk – Heather Mekkelson

The sculpture area of the NIU School of Art and Design is hosting a virtual Zoom presentation by visiting artist Heather Mekkelson, Thursday, October 8 at 5 p.m. Mekkelson is a sculptor and installation artist based in Chicago. She has had several solo exhibitions at...

Huskies Vote: National Voter Registration Day

Participating in elections is one of the key freedoms of American life. Many people in countries around the world do not have the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past. No matter what you believe or whom you support, it is important to exercise your...

River Weaving walking tour rescheduled for Oct. 3 and 11

UPDATE: The River Weaving walking tour has been rescheduled for two dates, Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 11. Both will be held at 2 p.m. and attendees can pre-register for free at go.niu.edu/riverweaving. The walking tour and discussion will begin at the...

Listen to some of our greatest hits as you run the Virtual Corn Classic

The relatively new tradition of hearing songs performed by members of the NIU School of Music as you run the course of the annual Corn Classic continues this year, even as the race has gone virtual. The Corn Classic, now in its 40th year, allows runners to choose...

Art From Home – William Lewin

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

Enrollments up in CVPA and at NIU overall

After months of dire predictions nationwide for fall college attendance, Northern Illinois University announced Tuesday that total enrollment is up for fall 2020. Students are back on campus at NIU, where 8% growth in the freshman class helped the university post...

As NIU celebrates the 125th Anniversary, River Weaving affirms its commitment to sustainability and the environment

Thirty-four years ago, John Siblik was an NIU art student drawing up a concept for an environmental sculpture to be placed in the Kishwaukee River where it flows past the lagoon and the Music Building. Now, Siblik finds himself standing in that same river, in that...

Avalon String Quartet to live stream concert, Sept. 10

The award-winning Avalon String Quartet, artists-in-residence at the NIU School of Music will perform via live stream, Thursday, September 10 from the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall at 7 p.m. A limited number of seats are available due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please...

Five faculty earn rank of full professor in School of Music

Five faculty members in the NIU School of Music have earned the rank of professor. JeongSoo Kim, Jui-Ching Wang and Marie Wang are the first females to earn promotion to full professor since Edna Williams became Professor of Voice in 1987. JeongSoo Kim is Professor of...

Northern Illinois University Art Museum plans to reopen to the public September 8

The NIU Art Museum welcomes the campus and community back to the galleries on Tuesday, September 8 with the extended exhibition of the NIU School of Art and Design Faculty Biennial Continuum. We are excited to reopen cautiously providing a space for reprieve,...

School of Music Convocation to feature world premiere of the film “If You Didn’t Laugh”, Sept. 10

An upcoming NIU School of Music convocation will feature the world-premiere of Kenneth McQueenie's film, "If You Didn't Laugh" inspired by the music of John Kenny. Both McQueenie and Kenny will join the convocation's live stream for a question and answer session,...

Art and Design’s Todd Buck featured as one of 16 medical illustrators doing groundbreaking work

Todd Buck, Professor of Illustration in NIU's School of Art and Design is among those featured by Creative Bloom as "one of 16 medical illustrators doing groundbreaking work." Medical illustration is a specialized field that has gained increased importance during the...

Music’s Benjamin Firer named Music Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony

Benjamin Firer, a visiting assistant professor who directs the NIU Philharmonic and teaches music theory, orchestration and orchestral literature in the NIU School of Music, has been named the Music Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony for the 2020-2021 season....

Music’s Gregory Beyer excited to be part of the Grossman Ensemble’s first album

The Grossman Ensemble, a "supergroup" made up of 13 contemporary music specialists in residence at the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition, has released their first album, "Fountain of Time." Gregory Beyer, professor of music and director of percussion studies...

NIU Steelpan and Percussion studios present an online Welcome Back concert, Sept. 1

Your wait for live music to enjoy from the NIU School of Music is over. Join the NIU Steelpan Studio and NIU Percussion Studio and friends  as they present an online Welcome Back concert, Tuesday, September 1, live streamed on the NIU School of Music website. The...

Art From Home: Edward Gorey

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

Art and Design’s Olivia Zubko honored by the International Sculpture Center

Olivia Zubko, a May graduate of the NIU School of Art and Design has been honored by the International Sculpture Center in their 2020 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award program. This year 217 students from more than 100 college and...

Art and Design adds a pair of top five program rankings

The nationally renowned School of Art and Design at NIU has earned a pair of new top five rankings. Animation Career Review has announced their 2020 Graphic Design School Rankings. More than 700 schools with graphic design programs across the nation were evaluated and...

Art From Home: Wolf and Jackal

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

Art From Home – Warrington Colescott

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

Art and Design’s Stephanie Sailer’s sculpture selected for CSI 20 20 show

Stephanie Sailer, program advisor and recruitment coordinator in the School of Art and Design has had one of her sculptures selected for the Chicago Sculpture International (CSI) 20 20 show. CSI 20 20 is a juried members exhibition that showcases 20 sculptures created...

Register for music lessons, ensembles and classes at the Community School of the Arts

For more than 30 years, NIU Community School of the Arts has offered music education and instruction for children and adults of all ages.  The CSA offers activities for personal enrichment year-round for community members who participate in classes, lessons, and music...

Theatre and Dance students host Black Art Matters open mic event

The School of Theatre and Dance Student Advisory Committee sought to give students and alumni an outlet for expression by hosting Black Art Matters, an online open mic night, July 10. Brandon Sapp, a BFA Acting major and member of the Student Advisory Committee, said...

School of Music faculty statement

In June, as a way of response to and support of, the Black Lives Matter movement, an ad hoc group of faculty in the NIU School of Music began collaborating to craft a statement with the objective that it would direct a path forward for the school, its students,...

Scott Metlicka joins faculty of School of Music to teach flute

Scott Metlicka, a 1993 graduate of NIU, has returned to his alma mater to join the faculty of the School of Music to teach flute. Metlicka is an accomplished performer and educator with prior teaching experience at NIU. In 2010 he served as a sabbatical replacement in...

Guitarist An Tran joins School of Music faculty

An Tran, an international soloist with roots in world music has joined the NIU School of Music's faculty to teach classical guitar. Tran is an internationally acclaimed Vietnamese classical guitarist who has won more than 13 international competitions and awards....

Latest key moments in NIU’s first 125 years feature iconic arts initiatives

All year long, Northern Illinois University is celebrating our 125th anniversary and NIU is working its way through key moments in the university's history. In the latest installment, two important milestones in the arts at NIU are featured. The 1973 creation of the...

Art From Home – Francisco Goya

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

School of Music Black Lives Matter statement

Art History’s Catherine Raymond to present on the Future of the Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris

Catherine Raymond, professor of art history and director of the NIU Center for Burma Studies is presenting a free, open to the pubic, online lecture through the DeKalb Public Library on "The Future of Cathedral Notre Dame of Paris After the Great Fire." Raymond is a...

Music’s Mary Lynn Doherty to present at ILCMP summer session

Mary Lynn Doherty, associate professor of music and coordinator of music education in the NIU School of Music is one of the presenters at this summer's Illinois Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (ILCMP) professional development seminar. ILCMP is...

Art From Home – Edouard Travies

In this ongoing series, Peter Olson, assistant director of the NIU Art Museum will discuss pieces in his personal art collection. See all of the Art From Home videos.

NIU Center for Burma Studies presents online exhibition “Looking At Women in Contemporary Burma”

The Center for Burma Studies at Northern Illinois University has launched an online exhibition, "Looking At Women in Contemporary Burma." It focuses on the evolving portrayal of Burmese women as depicted today by Myanmar artists reflects a politico-cultural milieu in...

NIU Music Library curates a look at protest music through history

The Music Library at Northern Illinois University has curated an exhibit titled, "Just Give Me My Equality: A Look At Protest Music Through History." The exhibit is available online and select items will be featured in the display cases in the lobby of Boutell...

Still time to support Huskies United

There is still time to support Huskies United, a day of giving for everyone who loves NIU to show their Huskie pride and move NIU forward. The online giving event is running for a total of 1895 minutes in honor of NIU's opening in 1895 in this, the university's 125th...

NIU Artists. Never. Quit. – Penguin Project choreography

The cancellation of the season's final performances in the College of Visual and Performing Arts had an impact on all students, but for senior dance performance majors Chloe McCoy and Katie Meyer it not only wiped out their final dance performance, but left them in...

Support NIU through Huskies United June 24-25

At 4:25 p.m. the NIU Foundation will launch Huskies United, a day of giving for everyone who loves NIU to show their Huskie pride and move NIU forward. The online giving event will run for 1895 minutes in honor of NIU's opening in 1895 in this, the university's 125th...

Music alumna Amy Jensen selected as RSO outstanding music educator

Amy Jensen, who earned her Master of Music from NIU in 2007, has been named the 2020 outstanding music educator by the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Jensen has taught music at Hononegah High School in Rockton, Ill. for 30 years, serving as choir director, music theory...

Grad profiles – Dajhumbay Russell

The spring class of 2020 hasn’t had a traditional conclusion to their studies, but they do have a lot of great stories. Over the summer months we’ll be profiling some of them. Dajhumbay Russell Degree Earned: Bachelors of Arts in Music Education and Music Performance...

Art and Design Senior Spotlight – Ethan Deboer

The School of Art and Design is spotlighting recently graduated students and their work on Facebook, and we’ll be sharing them here on the blog, as well. Ethan Deboer, BFA in Time Artswww.ethandeboer.com Artist Statement:"My work is made up of characters in the form...

Three NIU photography majors featured in Float Magazine’s “Best of Quarantine”

NIU School of Art and Design photography majors JB Rivera, Maeve Wallace and Manny Espejel had work featured in Float Magazine's online exhibition "Best of Quarantine."  

Art and Design Senior Spotlight – Eric Craps

The School of Art and Design is spotlighting recently graduated students and their work on Facebook, and we’ll be sharing them here on the blog, as well.Eric Craps, BFA in Visual CommunicationsGalleryView all of the College of Visual and Performing Arts Class of 2020...

June 18 Supreme Court Ruling on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: I am writing today to let you know that I join many of you in appreciating today’s Supreme Court ruling blocking efforts to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This cause has been a priority for me from the...

Art and Design Senior Spotlight – Daniel Ortiz

The School of Art and Design is spotlighting recently graduated students and their work on Facebook, and we’ll be sharing them here on the blog, as well.Daniel Ortiz, BFA in IllustrationDanielortizillustration.com Artist Statement“My mission as an artist is to show a...