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Arts at St. Thomas

Visual Arts at St. Thomas

The art galleries and public art throughout the Ƶ campus serve as points of creative inspiration and cultural awareness.

interior of the american museum of asmat art

American Museum of Asmat Art

The AMAA has one of the largest collections of Asmat art in North America with nearly 3,000 objects dating from the 1950s to the present. In addition to a physical gallery space, you can find the .

interior of the john p monahan gallery

John P. Monahan Gallery

Encouraging new paths of inquiry and intercultural understanding through an exhibition program that fosters dialogue centered around issues of contemporary and historical art and architectural topics.

interior of the department of art history gallery

Department of Art History Gallery

By providing access to contemporary art exhibitions, the gallery supports local and regional arts communities and bolsters a wider understanding of artistic engagement with societal issues.

exterior of a building designed by voorsanger architects

Voorsanger Architects Archive

The archive of New York-based architectural firm Voorsanger Architects PC houses physical and digital collections which highlight the design and creative process of the firm's various projects and includes items relating to Bartholomew Voorsanger, FAIA, Principal and founder of the firm.

examples of art from the st thomas art collection

St. Thomas Art Collection

Our diverse collection seeks to bring the visual arts to the university, providing an enriching and engaging experience for all students, scholars, and Ƶ members while fostering critical thinking about global cultures and the material world.

interior of the hoedeman gallery

Hoedeman Gallery of Sacred Art

Run by St. Thomas Campus Ministry, this gallery presents exhibitions of sacred art that reflect the religious diversity of the university Ƶ, and offers opportunities for reflection alongside learning and engagement with the arts.

Music at St. Thomas

Everyone has a chance to create and experience music at St. Thomas. We offer individual and group lessons for all skill levels, a variety of ensemble opportunities, world-class rehearsal and performance spaces, a state-of-the-art recording studio, KUST Radio, and more. Join a student club — we have groups devoted to music forms from K-Pop to a capella.

Two students perform on acoustic guitars

Expand and Grow Your Music

Every St. Thomas student – regardless of major — can continue to grow as a musician. We offer Music Lessons for most classical and popular instruments, and performance opportunities ranging from concert band to digital music ensembles.

Recording studio at Schoenecker Center. Large console with many knobs and buttons, separated by a glass wall from a live instrument space.

Learn Something New

Our Department of Music, Film & Creative Enterprise brings together students and world-class faculty to elevate individual creativity, skills, and talent. We take a holistic approach to learning about the creation, production and distribution of music and other forms of art.

The orchestra performs in the new Schoenecker Center

Experience Live Music

The Schoenecker Center — the university's central home for STEAM education — features choral and instrumental performance spaces that bring the joy of music to all. You can experience live music in these unique spaces and others across campus.

Storytelling at St. Thomas

We celebrate diverse stories through film, video, live storytelling, improv, theater and more. At St. Thomas we make space for human connection, creating opportunities for students to expand their world-views and forge deep connections with peers, staff and faculty.

student videographer filming

Film and Video

Students learn to create, produce and analyze film and videos that express creative ideas, share a story, capture history, educate or just make you laugh. Interested students can pursue:

students during a class improv exercise

Theater, Improv and Spoken Word

Launching in fall 2024, the invites the St. Thomas Ƶ to engage in storytelling workshops, theater presentations, pop-up improvisation events and more. We believe that story is how we get to know one another and build Ƶ. Scene Setters embraces human imperfection and honors the courage to share bravely and listen deeply.

Guest author Edwidge Danticat talks about her work during a lecture event in the James B. Woulfe Alumni Hall in the Anderson Student Center.

Creative Writing

Express your creativity and develop your storytelling talents by studying Creative Writing! Our undergraduate major and feature courses in writing poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Each year we bring award-winning writers to campus as part of the Students can also contribute creative work to the our student-edited art and literary magazine.

Ways to Explore the Arts at St. Thomas

Participate in Music Ensembles

St. Thomas has 20+ large and small performing ensembles for instrument or voice; see which one is right for you.

Join a Student-Run Club

Students have developed a number of clubs focused on art and/or performance; find one that interests you.

Attend a Music Performance

Our puts on choral and instrumental performances, and also sponsors performances by outside artists.

Attend the Chapel Arts Series

This series provides free music performances from world-class musicians, performing in the chapels on campus.

Make Something in create[space]

The create[space] is an innovation and creativity hub on campus that hosts student activities and is open for impromptu maker sessions.

Browse the Special Collections & Archives

Find archives of photos, film/videos and architectural drawings, along with rare books, ephemera and historic maps.

Participate in the Claritas Initiative Events

This series of discussions, performances, and experiences was designed to help us explore ways that we can nurture the values of truth, beauty, and goodness.

Listen to KUST Radio

KUST Radio's dedicated team of DJs, podcasters, writers, and producers work hard to provide unique media that delves into the topics of music, art, culture, and news in the St.Thomas and Twin Cities communities.

Attend a Student Art-Related Event

Browse the many art-related events held on campus, sponsored by student clubs and campus departments.

Take an Art History Course

The Department of Art History invites you to explore the many dimensions of art through one of its academic courses.

Take a Music Lesson

For beginners, advanced and every skill level in between, you can enhance your abilities and style through music lessons at St. Thomas.

Produce & Promote Music

The 480 Collective is a Ƶ that produces, promotes and mentors other St. Thomas students launch a music career.

Summit Avenue Review

Submit your creative work to the Summit Avenue Review, our student-edited art and literary magazine.

Under-Told Stories Project

Under-Told Stories is a journalism project focused on consequences of poverty and the work of change agents addressing them. Executive Director Fred de Sam Lazaro serves on the leadership team for the Center for the Common Good and has worked as a correspondent for the PBS NewsHour since 1985. Faculty at St. Thomas have full access to all Under-Told Stories videos for classroom use.

Recent and Upcoming Events

September 24, 2024

Colum McCann, Peacemaking, Grieving, and Storytelling

Join President Vischer for a conversation with the award-winning author, Colum McCann.

September 26, 2024

Kiese Laymon, Diverse Voices Author Series

A conversation with bestselling author, social critic, and essayist Kiese Laymon.

September 27, 2024

The Tower Project: An IntermediArcade

Experience the realization and presentation of a collaborative installation featuring music performances, graphic music notation, media, and symbolic texts in a free-standing score.

October 2, 2024

Trance Notations

An artist talk and reception with Dannielle Tegeder, in celebration of the opening of the Trance Notations exhibition at the John P. Monahan Gallery in the Schoenecker Center

October 3, 2024

Dialogue with BEHIND THE SUN Artists

Theater artists from On Stage will dialogue about the drama Behind the Sun, written by Stanley Kipper and Laura Drake.

October 8, 2024

Tommie StorySlams: Masks

We all have worn masks to conceal a part of us – what stories do you have about the masks that you have worn?

October 9, 2024

The Caregiver Play Project

A preview performance of Wonderlust Productions' "The Caregiver Play Project."

October 12, 2024

In Conversation with Author Sandra Cisneros

The Luann Dummer Center for Women, the English Department, and American Culture & Difference are thrilled to host the bestselling author and essayist Sandra Cisneros.

October 13, 2024

Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble

The Department of Music, Film and Creative Enterprise will be hosting Brazilian conductor, Dario Sotelo for a one-week residency in October. Maestro Sotelo will be working with our music students in rehearsals and lectures, culminating with a concert, leading our Symphonic Band and Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Concert on October 13th at 2 pm at St. Catherine University’s O’Shaughnessy Auditorium.