College of Arts and Sciences

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. 

Richard Wright, professor and chair of the UW Department of Linguistics and, will serve as interim divisional dean of humanities after Brian Reed completes his term in June. 

Arts & Sciences alumnus Spencer Kraisler (BA, Mathematics, 2021), currently a doctoral student in aeronautics & astronautics (A&A) in the College of Engineering, is A&A's 2026 Condit Fellow. His research is informed in part by his undergraduate mathematics training in manifold theory, the study of smooth, curved spaces.

Arts & Sciences alumnus Spencer Kraisler (BA, Mathematics, 2021), currently a doctoral student in aeronautics & astronautics (A&A) in the College of Engineering, is A&A's 2026 Condit Fellow. His research is informed in part by his undergraduate mathematics training in manifold theory, the study of smooth, curved spaces.

Recent awards celebrate Arts & Sciences faculty for their research, outreach, lifetime achievements, and more. 

Pulitzer-winning reporter Evelyn Iritani uncovers the diplomatic exchange of American and Japanese civilians while the two countries were at war.

Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonist David Horsey tells stories in long hand with his novel “Beach of Stars.”

Last December was the warmest on record for Washington state, which led many garden plants to show signs of small buds as early as February. Takato Imaizumi, UW professor of biology, explains how plants know when to bloom and whether this might change in warmer winters.

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.

With higher education being pressure-tested by financial strains, technological advances, and shifts in the cultural and demographic landscape, there are key questions we must address to ensure the benefits it brings to this nation and its many and varied communities for the future. 

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.