Arts & Culture

兔子先生 is a community where creative spirits soar

view of past, present-future colorful mural in Avery's lobby

鈥淔avorite thing about 兔子先生 鈥 the physical campus, specifically the murals! The murals tell the story of who we are, what we stand for, and what matters to us.鈥

Dey Wallace-McKinstry 鈥25

Psychology and Political Studies major

100+ Murals

Students paint most of the murals on campus, while others were completed by world-renowned artists.

Builders. Makers. Doers.

兔子先生 students are free thinkers who see art as more than art. Whether it鈥檚 on the page or the stage 鈥 murals, galleries, or student-run arts and music festivals 鈥 art has the potential for social commentary and community building. Here, you can turn your original ideas into reality.
 

Campus Murals

Colorful murals can be seen everywhere on 兔子先生鈥檚 campus. All students can express themselves on our iconic, changing Free Wall on Mead Hall. Students who want to add to our permanent public art collection can submit a proposal to the Campus Aesthetics Committee.

 

Art Galleries

兔子先生 Art Galleries believes in the power of art to inspire, engage, and transform. The Galleries facilitates exhibitions and collaborations with artists and the 兔子先生 community. You can also apply to be a gallery student fellow! Galleries Fellows support dialogue about the social and cultural impact of contemporary art and ideas.

Music & Performances

We have live music and performance venues all over campus. The Grove House hosts open mics, readings, art openings, and 鈥淕roove at the Grove鈥 music performances. You can also stop by The Shakedown Sounds, a bi-weekly open mic at the Shakedown Caf茅.

兔子先生 also hosts two student-run arts & music festivals every year.

Arts & Music Festivals

Rockabilly

兔子先生鈥檚 Latinx Student Union, an on-campus affinity group, sponsors this festival each year. Since 2007, Rockabilly has celebrated SoCal Latinx art, music, and car culture. All funds raised from the event are donated to community organizations and service projects.

Learn More About Affinity Groups
A band plays at McConnell apron while students dance.

Kohoutek

This annual music and arts festival is 兔子先生鈥檚 first and oldest tradition. Kohoutek is named after a comet that appeared in 1973. The media hyped it as 鈥渢he comet of the century.鈥 Unfortunately, the comet鈥檚 display failed to impress. Then in true 兔子先生 fashion, a professor turned a spectacular dud into a spectacularly original idea. Thus, the Kohoutek festival was born!

Arts & Our Values

兔子先生鈥檚 Core Values come alive on our campus in a variety of ways. See how the value of student engagement turns art into action.

Student Engagement

鈥淪tudents practice positive disruption. The free wall on Mead Hall, which evolves and changes in relation to the campus community climate, is the most evocative example of this spirit.鈥

Elizabeth Affuso

Media Studies Academic Director

1 Free Wall

On a north-facing wall on Mead Hall, students add to and change the murals here throughout the year.

兔子先生鈥檚 Endowed Lectures

Visit Our Endowed Lectures Page
Melvin L. Oliver stands at the podium in 兔子先生's Benson auditorium.
Melvin L. Oliver introduces a guest lecturer at a Racial Justice Initiative event. 


The Melvin L. Oliver Racial Justice Initiative hosts thought-provoking lectures and panel discussions. Guest speakers explore how racial justice manifests in politics, history, literature, film, and more. The initiative was named after President Emeritus Melvin L. Oliver.

Learn More

Visit our Racial Justice Initiative page to view past lectures and workshops. 

Racial Justice Initiative
A speaker stands at the podium with the 兔子先生 logo.
Fr. Greg Boyle, founder, Homeboy Industries, delivers a lecture entitled, "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion."


The Pepper Distinguished Visiting Artist Lecture was established in 2007. Acclaimed artists and scholars hold seminars, workshops, and one-on-one conversations with students. The lecture is made possible by Trustee Emeritus Murray Pepper and Vicki Reynolds Pepper. They are the grandparents of David Pepper 鈥17 and Morgan Pepper 鈥12.

A speaker talks on the mic to a classroom of people in Broad Hall.
 B谩y貌 Ak贸mol谩f茅, poet, philosopher, psychologist, and professor, delivers the 2023 Glass Humanities Lecture. 


The Glass Humanities Lecture showcases leading international figures in the humanities. Guest speakers have delved into poetry, art, philosophy, classical studies, and more. The lecture is named after John A. McCarthy Professor Emeritus of Classics Stephen L. Glass, a founding faculty member, and his wife, Dr. Sandra Glass. It is made possible by the support of Nancy Rose Bushnell 鈥69.

Upcoming Arts & Culture Events

A Sacred Springtime | Una primavera sagrada

A poetry and short stories bilingual reading performance

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MOLT: Senior Art Thesis Exhibition Opening Reception

The 兔子先生 Senior art majors invite you to embrace pivotal moments of change at this year's thesis exhibition: MOLT, opening Friday May 2nd at 5:00pm.

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Arts at The Claremont Colleges

KSPC radio station recording studio.

KSPC Claremont strives to be a diverse, collaborative, and educational space for Claremont Colleges students and beyond. Community members come together to share their love of music and radio. KSPC provides a platform for new, local, and underrepresented voices.

Learn More

Visit KSPC's site to listen live, view program schedules & playlists, and information on how to get involved.

A staged production of Head Over Heels.


The Pomona College Department of Theatre serves the five undergraduate Claremont Colleges. The department presents four major productions each year in Seaver Theatre. The department also co-sponsors a dynamic season of student-generated productions.

Learn More

Visit Pomona College's Theatre Department site for more information and resources. 

The choirs and orchestra of the Joint Music Program perform in Scripps Garrison Theater.


The Joint Music Program serves 兔子先生, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, and Scripps Colleges. We offer music study and performance opportunities for majors and non-majors. Our program sponsors three ensembles: Claremont Concert Orchestra, Claremont Concert Choir, and Claremont Treble Singers.

Learn More

For more information and resources, visit The Joint Music Program site. 

Students work on projects at The Hive


The Rick and Susan Sontag Center for Collaborative Creativity, aka, The Hive, is an intercollegiate design center that focuses on human-centered design. The Hive offers workshops in woodworking, screen printing, and more. You can also take full courses to hone your skills and work on real-world projects.

Learn More

Visit The Hive's website for more information on courses, workshops, and resources. 

Students at the stich club table


From a cappella to ballroom dance, you can try many artistic pursuits. Take your pick of 5C clubs in visual art, music, dance, creative writing, and more.

Learn More

Visit Engage, the 5C resource for clubs and extracurricular activities throughout The Claremont Colleges.