The arts thrive at UC Davis. From our student performers to our "town and gown" musical groups and our thought-provoking art exhibitions to the international troupes that visit the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis is awash in color, sound and motion. It is a place where students, faculty, staff and community members come to practice, enjoy and discover the arts.
The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
Presents a full range of campus-based and international musical, theatrical and dance performances and is a learning laboratory for students of the performing arts.
UC Davis Seminars and Events
Campus-wide calendar featuring continuing events such as art exhibitions as well as single events and academic seminars.
Performing arts and film
- Department of Music Events
- Theatre and Dance Productions
- Associated Students of UC Davis' Entertainment Council sponsors shows, speakers and films.
- Campus Cinema
Art galleries and museums
- The Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Arts Collection features contemporary art exhibitions and draws from its 4,000 works of art.
- The Design Museum has changing installations of architecture, graphic design, costumes, textiles, folk art and popular culture.
- The Carl N. Gorman Museum showcases contemporary Native American, Latino and African American art.
- The Memorial Union Art Gallery exhibits contemporary and historical California art.
- The Craft Center Gallery shows an array of work by area artists.
- Shields Library displays works of current and former members of the UC Davis art department.
Literary arts
- The Humanities Institute features a variety of visiting authors.
- Department of English's Scholars Symposium is a forum, run by English Department graduate students, for papers, presentations, and the free exchange of ideas.
- Seele undergraduate literary magazine
- Prized Writing is an annual contest that selects and publishes the best expository writing produced by UC Davis undergraduates during the academic year.
Cultural programs
- Campus Community Book Project
- Cross-Cultural Center
- Culture Days are devoted to the cultures of African Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Latinos and Native Americans.
- The Pacific Regional Humanities Center sponsors a variety of cultural/environmental programs about the Pacific West.
- Picnic Day is the campus's annual open house that features our museums, a fashion show and many other cultural programs.
- Shields Library exhibits run the gamut on people, places, issues and history.
- Whole Earth Festival
- Women's Resources and Research Center's calendar
Areas of study in the arts
- Art and Art History
- Design Program
- English
- Film Studies
- Music
- Technocultural Studies
- Theatre and Dance
Other arts, crafts and cultural classes
Local arts and culture
- Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento
- The Davis Art Center offers classes and exhibits local artists.
- Second Friday Art
- The Pence Gallery is an art gallery and cultural museum in Davis.
- The Vacaville Museum is a center for Solano County history.
- The Woodland Art Center offers classes and exhibits local artists.
- The Yolo County Historical Museum is located in Woodland.