College of Arts and Sciences

Some art moves you, some art challenges you, and some art strikes you so deeply that you lie awake at night with one vivid image plastered against your skull. Jacob Lawrence Legacy Resident indira allegra’s The Book of Zero does all three. The exhibit presents an immersive experience that steadily leads viewers through a sacred end-of-life ritual for oppressive and violent structures that, in allegra’s own words hand-painted on the walls, “haunt the earth,” as these “imitations of freedom could not keep you alive.”

When she was working as the social impact and marketing director at Molly Moon’s, UW communication alum Emily Kim, ’08, saw an opportunity: a free pastry education program to help people facing barriers to employment. Thus the Pastry Project, complete with a Pioneer Square storefront, was born. 

UW Magazine’s Aleenah Ansari checks in with Kim about the origins of the Pastry Project, what it means to run a social impact business and how she developed the curriculum for their free pastry education program.

Come curious. Leave inspired. The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. Sign up to receive a monthly notice when the ArtSci Roundup has been published. ArtSci On Your Own Time or From Your Own Home Video | Katz Distinguished Lectures Playlist (Simpson Center for the Humanities) From Mourning across...

The cultural icon and former UW student will be seen by even more people on envelopes carrying their mail.

The first comprehensive national study on fatal police violence in and around American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) reservations, from researchers at the UW and Drexel University, found that roughly 73% of AIAN people killed by police violence were on or within 10 miles of a reservation. Theresa Rocha Beardall, co-author and UW associate professor of sociology, is quoted.

Astronomers say they've likely witnessed the collision of two planets orbiting a distant star, Gaia20ehk, located 11,000 lightyears from Earth. Doctoral student Anastasios Tzanidakis and research assistant professor James Davenport, both in the UW Department of Astronomy, are quoted.

For more than 50 years, UW Communication has offered students an unparalleled opportunity to step out of the classroom and directly into the fast-paced world of state politics. The State Government Communication Program, affectionately known as the “Olympia Program,” places undergraduates in full-time reporting roles during the state’s winter legislative session.

A top 4 finalist on Season 27 of The Voice, 2023 alumna Lucia Flores-Wiseman is just getting started. Read more about her journey and how her Journalism and Public Interest Communication degree influences her storytelling!

Sub Pop is frequently mentioned in the same breath as the “Seattle Sound.” It is often cited as a historical event because of its enormous legacy, rather than a label that has an ongoing impact on modern music and is still functioning independently. Sub Pop is actively making your favorite songs, and they are doing it by putting artists first.

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. 

The benefits of learning more languages go far beyond the positive classroom experience; there are substantial advantages in your career and personal life. Previous scholarship has demonstrated that bilingual job candidates have up to a 35% increase in job opportunities.

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, lead author on the research and a UW biology graduate student, and Christian Sidor, UW professor of biology and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum, are quoted.

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.