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Arts & Culture

  • female students in cultural dress
  • Females discussing paintings
  • Female student singing into microphone
  • Audience picture at Daymond John lecture
  • Music theatre students performing

The mix of music, theatre, lectures, exhibits and cultural events open to you at BW will give you plenty of options for filling your free time and your senses. Expand your cultural horizons, be wowed by talented peers and professors, and take in an array of celebrated guests from all around the globe who headline free lectures, concerts, master classes, workshops and performances.

World Class BW Performers

With a world-class Conservatory of Performing Arts that includes members of the renowned Cleveland Orchestra, a nationally acclaimed music theatre program (catch them here on their way to Broadway!) and award-winning faculty artists leading all areas of music, theatre and dance, the BW campus is always hopping with horizon-expanding, standing-ovation-worthy events. And you can see most of them for FREE with your student ID.

Your BW bucket list should include as many of these memorable performances as possible, including the country's oldest collegiate Bach Festival, held each April for the past 90+ years, with special events, like Bach Haus, taking place year-round.

International Guest Artists

BW's Academic and Cultural Events Series (ACES) is highlighted by the World Music Series, featuring globally diverse musicians who often bring colorful cultural costumes, authentic indigenous instruments, and, always, exceptional artistry. ACES helps to coordinate BW's annual observances for Martin Luther King Jr. Week, Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month, too.

Inspiring Speakers

There's nothing like getting to quiz a leading expert in your field in a small workshop, or sitting in the front row for a dynamic talk by a national thought leader or author. You'll have plenty of chances to do just that at Enduring Questions: The Mark Collier Lecture Series, the Boesel Business Lectures and endowed lectures in economics, psychology, faith and life and the humanities, all free.

Cultural Celebrations

Through events like Culture Night and It's a Small World, coordinated through BW's International Student Services, our community gathers each semester to celebrate the heritage and traditions of BW's diverse student body. Students from all around the world come together to host activities, performances, demonstrations and a sampling of cuisine unique to their cultures.

Fawick Art Gallery

Celebrated studio art faculty, students and guest artists all contribute to changing exhibitions at Fawick Art Gallery in the Kleist Center for Art & Drama. Watch the schedule for opening receptions that include free refreshments and conversation with the artists.

Burrell Memorial Observatory

Located at the northernmost part of the campus, the Burrell Memorial Observatory is one of BW's hidden gems. Even if you don't take an astronomy class, you can still pop in on one of the Observatory's Open House nights, which feature a lecture followed by stargazing through our amazing 13-inch refracting telescope.

Cleveland Culture

While events on campus could fill your culture cup to the rim, don't forget there's a world of additional cultural opportunities waiting for you in Greater Cleveland, from Playhouse Square (the largest theatre district outside New York City) to University Circle, home to the incredible Cleveland Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History and breathtaking Severance Hall, where the acclaimed Cleveland Orchestra performs. And, that's just the beginning.