Hamilton College
Skip Main Navigation
Skip Section Navigation Facts About Hamilton General Information The Student Body Academics Financial Information Athletics Services Contact Alumni Arts and Culture
Facts

Arts and Culture at Hamilton

Hamilton offers numerous programs and events that benefit the cultural life of the campus community and the surrounding area.

Art

The College's Emerson Gallery hosts exhibitions and related events, including gallery talks, lectures, workshops, performances and films. The gallery's permanent collection is available for student and faculty research and study and includes a wide range of works that represent different cultures, historical periods, and art forms.

Dance

The departments of theatre and dance sponsor major concerts and presents student-choreographed and student-performed works several times annually.   Student-run dance ensembles also hold public performances.  The College's professional performing arts series frequently bring noteworthy dancers and dance ensembles to campus for performances throughout the year.

Film

Several student-run organizations sponsor films for entertainment and education on campus.  Genres shown include foreign films, classic and fine art films, and musicals, as well as current motion pictures.  In addition, film showings for particular courses are occasionally opened to the public.

Music

The Department of Music provides instruction in numerous musical traditions and sponsors master classes and lectures by prominent scholars and visiting artists.  The College's eight ensembles perform regularly, and students and faculty members give solo performances through concerts, musicales and recitals. Several student-run musical groups also perform frequently.

The Department of Music also houses a Jazz Archive that includes more than 180 interviews with legendary jazz artists and several vintage jazz recordings. 

Performing Arts Series

Hamilton sponsors two professional performing arts series: Classical Connections and Contemporary Voices and Visions. Recent performers included Marian McPartland, Michael Brecker, le Percussions de Strasbourg, American Ballet Theatre 2, the Pacifica Quartet and others. Previous perfomances have included Dianne Reeves, Tim Miller, Syracuse Symphony, Chatham Baroque, and H.T. Chen and Dancers.

Theatre

The Department of Theatre and Dance produces two to three major theatrical productions and many student-directed shows each year. In addition, student-run theatrical groups produce performances regularly.

Many other College offices and student organizations sponsor events that enhance the culture life on campus. Of special note are the programs sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, including the Acoustic Coffeehouse series.

Scenes @ Hamilton

A Historic Campus See more in the Virtual Tour!