Northern Illinois University College of Visual and Performing Arts

09/02/2026

"Fuerza Mexica Jr." created by Jose Manuel Jacobo Torrecilla of Mexico City, Mexico is one of 13 Olmec Heads currently standing guard on the NIU campus. This head is located just to the east of Davis Hall overseeing the open space between the building and the lagoon. These heads are part of an exhibition that opens in the NIU Art Museum, Wednesday, September 16, and is free of charge. Learn more at go.niu.edu/olmec

08/31/2026

Sign up for the NIU Arts e-newsletter and get regular updates about performances, exhibitions and more coming up in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The latest edition includes information on new exhibits in the Jack Olson Gallery and the NIU Art Museum plus season ticket information for concerts and theater productions. niuarts.substack.com

08/26/2026

As you "head" out on campus this first week of classes, have you noticed anything different on campus? You may have noticed some very cool pieces of art in front of the library, the art building, Altgeld Hall and Davis Hall. They are part of The Olmec Heads Experience, an exhibit opening in the NIU Art Museum on September 16. Learn more about it at niuarts.com.

08/21/2026

The schools welcomed our students back with fun events. Theatre and Dance students enjoyed Karaoke and Kiki, Music students had a jam session and Art and Design students showed off their skills making tape murals. Here's to a great fall semester!

08/19/2026

Welcome back CVPA students! Be sure to attend the Welcome Event in your school on Friday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. There will be snacks and cool things to do at all three sites. School of Art and Design - Jack Arends Hall Student Lounge, third floor. School of Music - Concert Hall Lobby, Music Building. Theatre and Dance, Stevens Building lobby.

08/05/2026

A great opportunity for students to show off their pride in NIU on camera for future students!

🎥 Casting Call! Know a Huskie who would be great on camera? Share this post to let them know that we're looking for current NIU students to be featured in an upcoming episode of The College Tour, the hit series on Amazon Prime Video.

This is a great opportunity for Huskies to share their story, highlight their experience at NIU and inspire future Huskies by being a part of our episode.

Visit go.niu.edu/the-college-tour for details and to submit an audition video. The deadline to apply is Sunday, August 16.

07/22/2026

Summer camps are still underway in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Here are some scenes from last week's Visual Arts Camp.

07/15/2026

Summer camps are well underway in the College of Visual and Performing Arts bringing middle and high schoolers from all around the region to campus for a fun, immersive experience in the art(s) that they love. Here's a look at some scenes from last week's Percussion Camp. This week is both Visual Arts Camp and Theatre Arts Camp, and next week is Jazz Camp!

07/14/2026

Congratulations, Daniel!

Congratulations to Daniel Chukwunyem, a graduate student in the School of Music pursuing his master of music, for winning the Advanced Classical Voice category at the 59th Annual National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) convention in San Antonio. https://niuarts.com/2026/07/daniel-chukwunyem-wins-advanced-classical-voice-category-at-nats/

07/13/2026

Welcome John F. Paul, DM, an educator, musician and composer with more than 30 years of teaching experience and nearly 25 years as a department chair who is serving as the interim director of the NIU School of Music. niuarts.com