Arts Division

After decades of refining her own artistic voice while navigating ever-shifting cultural, economic and aesthetic tides, Valerie Curtis-Newton is embracing her role as an elder states-artist, retiring from her UW role and looking toward the future.

In a recent School of Drama production about the transition from life to death, actors swapped roles nightly, creating a different experience with each performance. 

We've curated a few of our favorite recent media releases—plus recommendations for this summer's Book Bingo!

Nia Brice’s undergraduate experience wasn’t just about one major, one course, one project or one grade. It was about finding joy, challenging herself and redefining what it means to be resilient.

A spring quarter sabbatical in 2025 provided the time and space for Professor Giselle Wyers to complete and debut parts of "The Lips of the Sky," a multi-movement choral work that premiered at Carnegie Hall in May 2026 in a performance presented by MidAmerica Productions.

The College of Arts & Sciences celebrates undergraduate and graduate students from across all four divisions, who are recognized for making the most of their time at the UW. 

A hummingbird darts up to a flower, slips in its long, thin beak and drinks. The whole visit lasts a fraction of a second, and for years scientists assumed the bird simply sucked the sweet liquid up and swallowed. Alejandro Rico-Guevara, associate professor of biology at the UW and curator of birds at the UW Burke Museum, is mentioned.

“I feel like my experience at the UW has been incredibly well-rounded," says Eddie McClary, who graduates in June 2026 with bachelor's degrees in dance and biochemistry. 

Using fabric, oil paint, glycerin and wax, Mackender explores the way humans and animals share the experience of grief.

Mounting a stage show, where five actors draw lots at the start of every show to determine who plays what, sounds intimidating. Chi-wang Yang, assistant professor of acting and directing at the UW, is quoted.

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. And you don’t have to wait until June: Take a look at everything still happening in May. Sign up to receive a monthly notice when the ArtSci Roundup has been published. ArtSci On Your Own Time: Through July...

UW Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band’s “Scenes and Portraits” is a collection of works that evokes strong emotions, from dark romanticism to lively pop-like compositions. The performance embodies a flowing river, taking the audience through a seasonal journey of life itself and the experiences it holds. 

With its Music and Technology program, the School of Music provides a foundation in music recording and experience in a recording studio. 

The Improv Music Project Festival (IMPFEST), hosted by the School of Music and the student-run organization Improvised Music Project, occurred from April 25-26. It celebrated exploration of sound through two shows featuring headliners Overall on Friday and Skúli Sverrisson on Saturday, playing alongside jazz studies students and faculty.

This year’s Neddy Artist Award Recipient in Painting is UW Associate Professor of Painting + Drawing Sangram Majumdar.

The Neddy Artist Award is one of the most generous and longest-running awards for visual artists in the state of Washington. This year's eight Neddy Awards finalists included alums Dana Blume (MFA 2023) and ralph salazar (MFA 2025).