students doing African dance

The Arts at Bryn Mawr

The arts are essential to Bryn Mawr's campus culture at every level, from student organizations to performances by world- renowned artists.

Shayna Israel '08

"Feminism is not a dirty word to me. It is like a freedom song."

— Shayna Israel '08  »

Arts in the Curriculum

The arts are a prime example of Bi-College cooperation in which Haverford and Bryn Mawr combine their resources to offer students a full arts curriculum. Bryn Mawr takes primary responsibility for creative writing, theater and dance, while Haverford hosts music and fine arts. Members of the Bryn Mawr arts faculty have recently joined with some of Philadelphia's top performing artists to offer a unique semester-away program that is open to students from liberal-arts colleges across the country.
Creative Writing Program
Dance Program
Fine Arts at Haverford
Music at Haverford
Theater

Visiting Artists

The Office for the Arts presents a Performing Arts Series of renowned performers and sponsors a variety of performances and workshops in theater, music and dance, as well as an intimate "Learning to Listen" series that gives students an opportunity to talk to young classical musicians after performances. The Creative Writing Program's Reading Series has brought some of the world's heaviest literary hitters to campus; many offer workshops for student writers. Student-run concert series, film series and events sponsored by the College's Student Activities Office also present arts and entertainment throughout the academic year.

Student Initiatives

Less formal creative outlets also abound at Bryn Mawr. For many cultural groups on campus, the highlight of the year is a culture show that shares the group's artistic heritage with a diverse student body. Student a cappella singing groups offer a variety of styles and genres; the Chamber Music Society and the Renaissance Choir pair students with members of the faculty and visiting musicians. A literary magazine and a writers' group give peer support to developing wordsmiths; student-run theater groups and student dance ensembles stage performances several times each semester. Other student organizations focus on visual arts, sewing, filmmaking and gourmet cooking.