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Our arts programming provides the community with a robust selection of vibrant cultural experiences. At Hope College, award-winning student performances share the stage with nationally known writers, musicians, performers and artists.

Our calendar of events is full of stage and screen opportunities every week, and our community arts experiences are complemented by a thriving Arts and Humanities Division.

Great Performance Series

Visiting artists and ensembles bring the best in music, dance and theater to the Hope campus several times each semester. Past performers include Emerson String Quartet, L.A. Theatre Works, Ballet X and Sweet Honey in the Rock. Read more information.

Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series

The Jack Ridl Visiting Writers Series provides diverse and rich literary experiences, with Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners performing alongside the nation’s finest new voices. Previous visiting writers include Robert Olen Butler, Billy Collins, Anthony Doerr, Edward Hirsch, Naomi Shihab Nye and Sharon Olds. Read more information.

Hope Repertory Theatre

Every summer, Hope Repertory Theatre (The Rep) presents seven plays in three locations, performed by a mix of distinguished artists and young theater professionals. Learn more about The Rep.

Knickerbocker Film Series

The Knickerbocker Film Series offers a year-round lineup of independent, documentary and classic films. View the full schedule.

Patrons for the Arts

Patrons for the Arts encourages and supports the fine and performing arts by providing additional competitive grants, beyond funding from tuition and tickets, that enable Hope College to expand the quality and quantity of artistic offerings to students and the community throughout the academic year. Patrons for the Arts explicitly support the fine and performing arts, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre and arts community outreach through annual gifts and contributions from annual contributions and the Patrons for the Arts Endowment fund. Over $98,000 was awarded for grants in 2021–2022. Patrons for the Arts subscribers are invited to engagements such as HSRT “Patrons Night,” Musical Showcase and other special events.

Hope College is unique as a nationally recognized private liberal arts college with accreditation in four areas of the arts: music, art, dance and theatre. Each year in rotation, one of the fine arts receives a larger grant to support an initiative that adds significant energy and value to the student and patrons’ experience in addition to a major grant to HSRT. Support Patrons for the Arts with your gift.

If you would like to learn more, please email us give@hope.edu or call 616.395.7775. Thank you for your support of the arts at Hope College.

Academic Arts Programs

Hope’s academic departments provide instruction and experience in every major arts program. In fact, Hope College was the first private, liberal arts college to hold national accreditation in art, dance, music and theater.

We encourage you to apply for a Distinguished Artist Award scholarship, which grants $2,500 in renewable, annual tuition to students with strong academic records and outstanding creative abilities in art, dance, music, theatre or creative writing.

Art and Art History

Study one of earth’s oldest disciplines in our nationally accredited art department. Courses are offered in two- and three-dimensional art and art history.

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Dance

Engage in the performance and academic study of dance while developing artistically, intellectually, physically and spiritually.

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Music

Our nationally accredited music department provides intensive training through enriching hands-on experiences for those choosing a musical vocation.

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Music events →
Theatre

The Hope College Department of Theatre develops theatrical artists of recognized excellence on- and off-stage in a nationally accredited academic program.

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