Arts & Culture
Pitzer is a community where creative spirits soar
“Favorite thing about Pitzer – the physical campus, specifically the murals! The murals tell the story of who we are, what we stand for, and what matters to us.”
Dey Wallace-McKinstry ’25
Psychology and Political Studies major
Students paint most of the murals on campus, while others were completed by world-renowned artists.
Builders. Makers. Doers.
Pitzer students are free thinkers who see art as more than art. Whether it’s on the page or the stage – murals, galleries, or student-run arts and music festivals – 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 Pitzer’s 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
Pitzer College Art Galleries believes in the power of art to inspire, engage, and transform. The Galleries facilitates exhibitions and collaborations with artists and the Pitzer 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 “Groove at the Grove” music performances. You can also stop by The Shakedown Sounds, a bi-weekly open mic at the Shakedown Café.
Pitzer also hosts two student-run arts & music festivals every year.
Arts & Music Festivals
Rockabilly
Pitzer’s 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
Kohoutek
This annual music and arts festival is Pitzer’s first and oldest tradition. Kohoutek is named after a comet that appeared in 1973. The media hyped it as “the comet of the century.” Unfortunately, the comet’s display failed to impress. Then in true Pitzer fashion, a professor turned a spectacular dud into a spectacularly original idea. Thus, the Kohoutek festival was born!
Learn More About the Kohoutek FestivalArts & Our Values
Pitzer’s 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
“Students 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.”
Elizabeth Affuso
Media Studies Academic Director
On a north-facing wall on Mead Hall, students add to and change the murals here throughout the year.
Pitzer’s Endowed Lectures
Visit Our Endowed Lectures Page
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.
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 ’17 and Morgan Pepper ’12.
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 ’69.
Arts at The Claremont Colleges
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.
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 Joint Music Program serves Pitzer, 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.
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.
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.