A note from the director

As Connecticut College prepares for a new academic year I have realized that I am entering into my twenty-seventh season as Director of Arts Programming at the College. The realization has inspired me to reflect back on all of the performances, exhibitions, workshops and discussions that we have presented over the years. The most rewarding aspect of my work is creating opportunities for our community to engage with artists and their creative work. Some of that work challenges audiences to see things from a new perspective, engage in a new art form, introduces us to a new culture, stimulates our emotions, inspires us and above all creates opportunities for communities of all ages and backgrounds to come together and share an experience. We need to remember that the arts are vital to the survival of communities and it is important to come together to share moments of joy, reflection, discovery and inspiration.

I feel fortunate to direct a program at a liberal arts institution like Connecticut College where the arts are an integral part of our academic and co-curricular program and have been since the College’s founding in the early twentieth century. Connecticut College was one of the first college’s in the country to offer music and visual art as full academic disciplines and we launched our performing arts series in 1917. As a liberal arts institution we have always known of the importance of the arts in communities.

Connecticut College continues this tradition of presenting unique and innovative programming in dance, film, music, theater, visual art and literary arts. The artists that grace our stages come from a wide array of ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds and perspectives and offer performances and exhibitions that are rarely seen elsewhere in our community.

We offer a full suite of programs, including the onStage at Connecticut College guest artist series, a professional performance series filled with world-class music, dance and theater. It is unique, eclectic and innovative programming designed to engage, entertain and inspire.  The performing arts venues at the College include the recently renovated Athey Center for Performance and Research at Palmer Auditorium, Evans Hall in Cummings Art Center and Tansill Theater. The diversity of the venue styles enables the College to present performances in venues that best suit the needs of the performance.

To stay up to date on our events and performances make sure you sign up to be on our email list.

We are excited to launch our next season of programming that includes student work and the work of seasoned professionals. We hope that you will join us in the coming year by attending a screening, performance, reading, exhibition, workshop and/or discussion. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Robert A. Richter ’82
Director of Arts Programming