Kirkwood Visual and Performing Arts

08/12/2026

🎭 Announcing auditions for Kirkwood's Fall Musical: Pippin!
Follow the young prince Pippin, heir to the throne, as he enters adulthood convinced he must find a truly extraordinary and fulfilling life. Guided by a mysterious troupe of performers, Pippin embarks on a quest for his "Corner of the Sky." He'll sample the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh, and the intrigues of political power, meeting memorable characters along the way. With an unforgettable score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and circus-inspired theatricality, Pippin is a mesmerizing exploration of self-discovery that asks: What does it really mean to live an extraordinary life?

🎭 This show has a large cast, with many opportunities to get involved onstage or behind the scenes. Auditions will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Wednesday, Sept. 2. All Kirkwood students are welcome to audition! More information can be found on the Pippin Audition Form: https://tinyurl.com/KirkwoodPippin

07/16/2026

🎭 Kirkwood Theatre is excited to announce the 2026-27 season, including this year's fall musical, Pippin!

📆 SAVE THE DATE: Pippin runs Oct. 30-Nov. 1 and again Nov. 5-7. Watch our page for information about auditions, rehearsals, and ticket sales, coming soon!

"There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love, and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece. Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Winner of four Tony Awards, Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world. Heir to the Frankish throne, the young prince Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfillment. In the end, he finds that happiness lies not in extraordinary endeavors, but rather in the unextraordinary moments that happen every day."
— Music Theatre International

07/07/2026

Huge CONGRATS to Kirkwood grad Arrianna Kula! She recently earned a Juror’s Choice Award in the League for Innovation in the Community College’s 2025–26 International Student Art Awards competition for her piece, “Slab Box, With Holes.”

Arrianna created the wood-fired stoneware piece as part of a series exploring “the combination of heavy textures, oxides, and their interaction with the wood ash in Kirkwood’s large wood kiln.”

06/30/2026

🎶 Are you passionate about music and want to build a future around it? Do you love performing, teaching, or diving into the world of composing or creative collaboration? Kirkwood's Associate of Applied Arts in Music program could be your perfect starting note! Check out this video to learn more, or visit: https://www.kirkwood.edu/programs/degrees/arts-design/music

06/18/2026

🚗 Kirkwood Community College art students and faculty recently attended the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts Conference (NCECA). Here are some photos of the group at the conference, including the students modeling a Ford Mustang. Did you know that even today, all cars begin as full-scale clay models? This remains a highly tactile process and an amazing career opportunity for those in the 3D arts!

05/21/2026

⚱️🏺 Kirkwood's Advanced Ceramics class competed against one another at the end of the semester in the "Clay Olympics." Events included the longest coil, tallest cylinder, longest slab, tiny-hands throwing, partner throwing, team throwing, and the fastest teapot! Check out some photos from this fun event!

05/15/2026

Congratulations to Kirkwood Visual and Performing Arts student Bryce Engberg on receiving international recognition in the 49th Annual DownBeat Student Music Awards!

The DownBeat Student Music Awards have been considered the “gold standard” in jazz education since 1976, honoring exceptional student musicians, engineers, composers, and educators.

Bryce, a mathematics major from Red Wing, Minn., was honored for Engineered Studio Recording in the Community College Outstanding Recording category.

“Bryce is a passionate, friendly, dedicated, and highly driven individual,” said Dr. Chris Navarrete, Kirkwood’s director of instrumental music. “Deeply involved in the Kirkwood music program, Bryce performs in many ensembles and events while also recording and producing multiple groups as an aspiring recording engineer.”

Bryce has contributed to performances and recordings through Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Combos, Jazz Jam Sessions, Lunch and Listen while pursuing an Associate of Science in Mathematics at Kirkwood.

We are proud to celebrate Bryce’s talent, dedication and outstanding accomplishment!

Congratulations to Kirkwood Community College student Bryce Engberg on receiving international recognition in the 49th Annual DownBeat Student Music Awards!

The DownBeat Student Music Awards have been considered the “gold standard” in jazz education since 1976, honoring exceptional student musicians, engineers, composers, and educators.

Bryce, a mathematics major from Red Wing, Minn., was honored for Engineered Studio Recording in the Community College Outstanding Recording category.

“Bryce is a passionate, friendly, dedicated, and highly driven individual,” said Dr. Chris Navarrete, Kirkwood’s director of instrumental music. “Deeply involved in the Kirkwood music program, Bryce performs in many ensembles and events while also recording and producing multiple groups as an aspiring recording engineer.”

Bryce has contributed to performances and recordings through Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Combos, Jazz Jam Sessions, Lunch and Listen while pursuing an Associate of Science in Mathematics at Kirkwood.

We are proud to celebrate Bryce’s talent, dedication and outstanding accomplishment!

05/08/2026

05/08/2026

🥣 The Kirkwood Community College Art Club sponsored a day of making bowls at the end of the term! Over 20 students joined us to make bowls that will be donated to the Empty Bowls Project at the Marion Arts Festival, held Saturday, May 16, in Uptown Marion.

All of the 90+ bowls made by our students will be sold, and the proceeds go to support area food pantries. This is the third year the Kirkwood Art Club has sponsored this event.

The Empty Bowls Project brings together students, artists, educators, and volunteers to support local food banks. Since 1996, this beloved program has raised over $118,000 to help fight hunger in our community. Every bowl represents creativity, compassion, and the belief that art can make a difference.