October 20, 2021
Wheaton College has declared 2021-2022 as The Year of the Arts, Faith, and Imagination, a gala year celebrating the mission and accomplishments of the Arts at Wheaton. The Year of the Arts offers a unique opportunity not only to reflect on past achievements, but to enjoy present blessings through an excellent array of creative events and performances, new initiatives, and ongoing projects.
Throughout the academic year, the Wheaton College community will engage with:
- musical performances
- theatrical performances
- gallery exhibitions
- lectures
- and many of the other artistic pursuits.
This celebration will thread countless recurring activities—such as Chapel messages, special lectures, and performances—together with this special celebration of creativity and exploration.
Conceptions of the arts are sometimes limited to the visual, written, or performing arts, but God’s artistry and craftsmanship as seen in Scripture extends far beyond into the sciences, theology, history, language, and other disciplines fed by divine inspiration and human curiosity. Thus, Wheaton is planning key events such as a poetry month, a traveling gallery of The Saint John’s Bible, and other musical, artistic, and cross-disciplinary performances that highlight the creative spirit of artistry across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Dean of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and Division of Arts and Communication Michael Wilder said that "The Year of the Arts, Faith, & Imagination offers our campus community a unique opportunity to ‘Sing to the Lord a new song because he has done wonderful things!’” With a new building dedicated to music and the arts, along with new programs and world-class instruments, Wheaton College is poised for what Dean Wilder calls “a dramatic chapter” for the College. “So many have contributed to this dramatic chapter of music and the arts at Wheaton, and we are thrilled to join with them and many others in offerings in theater, visual art, dance, music, poetry, teaching, ministry, and community engagement,” he said. “Let the celebration begin!"
Many events are open to the public, and all are invited to join this year-long celebration by attending an upcoming event. Visit the Events Calendar for more information.
For the inaugural The Year of the Arts, Faith, and Imagination event in September, Wheaton celebrated the completion of the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts by unveiling a sculpture by renowned artist, Liviu Mocan, new art installations, and a stunning new organ. The Armerding Center boasts a 648-seat concert hall with the newly constructed Taylor & Boody Opus 81 organ. This custom-built organ—which will be highlighted in upcoming events—is truly a prized jewel of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music.
With more than 100 live and virtual events, there are many opportunities to join the celebration. For more information, visit the Year of the Arts website.
Highlighted Events
- October 23, 2021 Voces8 Artist Series Concert
- November 5–6 & 10–13, 2021 Arena Theater presents, My Name is Asher Lev by Aaron Posner
- December 3 & 4, 2021 Christmas Festival Concerts: Welcome All Wonders
- March 29, 2022 Aesthetic Lecture and Bakke Lectureship for Intellectual and Imaginative Engagement: Reflection on the Psalms, with Malcolm Guite
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For more information contact:
Alyssa Huber
Conservatory/Fine Arts Marketing Specialist
Telephone: 630.752.5385
E-mail: alyssa.huber@wheaton.edu