Arts Division

The University of Washington School of Music is stepping up their offerings. In fall 2024, they hired Grammy-nominated recording engineer, producer, and drummer Andrew Munsey to lead and build out a Music and Technology program, dedicated to providing students with experience in studio recording, mixing and producing. UW students are now able to gain skills in audio recording at the School of Music. 

Nowadays, musicians finding the most success are not only refining their musical skills, but also business, publicity, and technical skills like studio recording and production. With the latter in mind, the University of Washington School of Music is stepping up their offerings. The UW's Ted Poor, associate professor of music; and Andrew Munsey, assistant professor of music and technology, are quoted. Jol-Franois Durand, director of the UW School of Music and professor of composition, is mentioned.

Roughly 215 million years ago, an unusual-looking reptile traipsed around what is now Arizona. About the size of a poodle, the creature had large eye sockets, a toothless beak and short arms. During the early part of its life, the animal seems to have walked around on all fours. But as it grew, it stood upright and began striding around on two legs instead. Elliott Armour Smith, graduate student of biology at the UW, and Christian Sidor, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum and professor of biology at the UW, are quoted.

Scientists have unearthed a "peculiar" ancient crocodile that walked on two legs after beginning its life on four. Named Sonselasuchus cedrus, the creature roamed the Earth during the Late Triassic period, approximately 225 to 201 million years ago. Elliott Armour Smith, graduate student of biology at the UW, is quoted.

An early relative of crocodiles spent its juvenile years walking on all fours, then stood up on two legs as an adult. Its arm and leg bones grew at different rates to enable this transition. Elliott Armour Smith, graduate student of biology at the UW, and Christian Sidor, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum and professor of biology at the UW, are quoted.

A "peculiar" ancient relative of the crocodile started life on four legs before it began walking on two, according to new research. Elliott Armour Smith, graduate student of biology at the UW, and Christian Sidor, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum and professor of biology at the UW, are quoted. Multiple outlets ran this story.

The 2026 annual Dance Majors Concert (DMC) was from the minds of seven dance majors, the undergraduate choreographers: Taylor Burbacher, Natasha Crowley, Kate Hancock, Sachiko Miyoshi, Sam Stratman, MC Womack, and Amanda Winterbauer. DMC presented seven concepts at Meany Hall — Studio Theater from Feb. 26 to March 1.

The Henry's annual gala provides an opportunity for Seattle’s contemporary art community to get together and celebrate. The gala is also the Henry's most important fundraising event that powers many projects throughout the year. 

Between college and "the real world," design alum and animator Vivian Cho (BDes 2025) was the 2025 Artist in Residence at the University Bridge. Her final project will be on display at ARTS at King Street Station from June 4 through August 8, 2026.

The night sky promises Seattle an array of celestial wonders this year, one of which is a six-planet parade Saturday.Chris Law, a principal research scientist of biology at the UW and an affiliate curator at the UW Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, is quoted.

Kristine Matthews, Professor of Visual Communication Design and principal of Studio Matthews, continues to earn national and international recognition for her work. She founded the Seattle-based design practice in 2008, building a studio of designers, teachers, and makers known for award-winning projects, elegant solutions, and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.

The once small college campus gallery has grown into an eminent artistic center within the Pacific Northwest and a museum for contemporary art and ideas, at the fingertips of students and local residents alike. Given the growth it’s experienced, the Henry, and arts as a whole, continue to provide a unique, non-textbook way to engage and learn about the complex human experiences around us. 

Indira allegra, the Jacob Lawrence Gallery’s 2026 Legacy Resident, held a reception for their exhibition “The Book of Zero” on Feb. 4. Their time in the School of Art culminated in a multimedia meditative experience focused on cycles of death and rebirth, encouraging participants to let go of what no longer serves them before allowing an era of healing to unfold. 

During this year's Super Bowl on Sunday, some blind and low-vision fans will be able to experience football more directly thanks to tactile devices that vibrate to indicate the position of the ball on the field.

The devices, which are designed by OneCourt, vibrate in dif­fer­ent ways for dif­fer­ent plays like tackles, touchdowns, and field goals. OneCourt is a Seattle-based startup founded by Industrial Design alum Jerred Mace (BDes 2023).

From the thousands of undergraduate students at the University of Washington, three are selected each year for the prestigious President’s Medalist Award.

Kaytlin Rose Vanderhorst (Psychology; Education Studies: Wellness and Social Emotional Learning), Carilyn Brandt (English: Creative Writing) and Luna Crone-Barón Drama: Performance; English) are the medalists for 2024–25, selected by a committee for their high GPAs, rigor of classes and number of Honors courses. All three Honors students are pursuing the Interdisciplinary Honors track, a unique academic opportunity that challenges students to explore connections across disciplines and prepares them to address complex societal challenges.