Northern Illinois University College of Visual and Performing Arts

10/12/2026

"Emma" opens in the School of Theatre and Dance, the Elizabeth Allen Visiting Scholars in Art History lecture series features a presentaton on triumphal arches, NIU's choirs perform songs of community, courage and change, and the Olson Gallery art exhibition reception features an NIU Jazz Combo. Sign up for the weekly arts newsletter at niuarts.substack.com

10/06/2026

A jazz combo from the NIU School of Music will perform at the exhibition reception for Kevin Cole’s (NIU ’84) exhibition in the Jack Olson Gallery, “The Risk Worth Taking.” The reception will be held at 6 p.m. in the Olson Gallery, and follows Cole’s artist talk, which is free and open to the public and will be held at 5 p.m. in Jack Arends Hall (Art Building) Room 100. Learn more about "The Risk Worth Taking" at niu.edu/olson-gallery

10/05/2026

Help paint the Homecoming mural and attend some great art exhibitions and concerts this week at NIU. https://niuarts.substack.com/p/help-paint-the-homecoming-mural-enjoy

09/28/2026

Sign up for the NIU Arts Newsletter to stay up to date on what's coming up in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. https://niuarts.substack.com

09/27/2026

NOTE: Due to an actor illness the Sunday, September 27 performance of Men on Boats has been cancelled. If you have tickets for that performance, please contact the Box Office to make changes. https://www.niu.edu/theatre/productions/box-office/index.shtml

09/25/2026

Today, 9/25 is Dolly Parton Day. In 1981, legendary jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins and his band covered Dolly's "Here You Come Again" on his album "No Problem." Featured on guitar is current NIU associate professor of jazz studies Bobby Broom, who played and toured with Sonny for six years. Here's video of them performing the song to open their 1982 set at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Full telecast

09/25/2026

Today is 9/25, which is Dolly Parton Day, and gives us an excuse to show off this really cool stained glass piece that Jeremy W. Floyd, associate dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and professor in the School of Theatre and Dance has created.

Saint Dolly '77
Jeremy W Floyd
July 2026
Leaded Colored Glass, wood
10.5 x 10.5 inches

09/23/2026

Join us Thursday, Sept. 24 for our Olmec Heads Experience Grand Opening Celebration!

This fall, the NIU Art Museum is presenting one of the most distinctive exhibitions ever hosted on our campus: The Olmec Heads Experience. The exhibition features twenty-five monumental, artist-designed sculptures inspired by the ancient Olmec civilization. The exhibition is open in the Art Museum South Gallery, and will run throughout the fall semester.

Visitors will discover colorful sculptures across campus while exploring an accompanying museum exhibition featuring educational displays, family activities, and an engaging graphic history of the Olmec civilization.

Be among the first to experience this remarkable exhibition by joining us for a Friends Preview and Grand Opening Celebration, Thursday, September 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Not only will you see The Olmec Heads Experience exhibition, but you’ll also be able to visit Celebrating 40 | Burma Art Collection, a retrospective of works from the NIU Center for Burma Studies’ extensive collection.

09/16/2026

The NIU School of Art and Design hosted visiting artist Melanie Yazzie September 14-16, where the indigenous Navajo artist met with Printmaking and Visual Arts Education students, and is presenting "Stories That Shape Us" in Jack Arends Hall Room 100 at 5 p.m.

Yazzie resides in Colorado and works in a wide range of media including printmaking, painting, sculpture, ceramics and installation art. Her art focuses on connecting with and educating people about the contemporary status of one indigenous woman, hoping others can learn from her experience.

09/15/2026

Opens next week!

The first production of the season opens in just 10 short days. Get your tickets now for "Men on Boats" in the Black Box Theatre opening Friday, Sept. 25 with productions from Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 1-3. go.niu.edu/arts-tickets