Art is everywhere at UC Davis
How do you experience arts and culture: Seeing a comedian? Competing on a trivia team? Visiting a museum? Listening to student a cappella or classical music? Whatever your tastes, you can find it here.
Sometimes, art can even bring you good luck!
Three Art Museums
- The Manetti Shrem Museum, opened in November 2016
- The C.N. Gorman Museum features contemporary Native American and Indigenous art, and
- The Design Museum shows architecture, fashion, graphics, textiles, technology and popular culture.
We interact with our outdoor public art. It’s rare that you can’t see somebody posing in front of one of the Eggheads.
Students use art to get into their study zone: Check out how many are reclining with their laptops near Stone Poem at the Silo or Time Line near Spafford Lake.
And then there is the fun part of our art: The Egghead series becomes a treasure hunt to find all seven.
Besides our art museums, you can also view works by alumni, faculty and others at Shields Library, the Buehler Alumni Center and in other campus buildings.
Manetti Shrem Museum of Art
Dedicated to art education for students of all ages, our newest museum opened in fall 2016 and includes the UC Davis Fine Arts Collection.
Ann E. Pitzer Center
The new classroom and recital hall provides an acoustically rich venue for concerts by students, faculty and visiting artists.
Craft Center
With more than 90 classes each quarter, you can develop skills such as flame working, ceramics, welding, photography and sewing.
The UC Davis Entertainment Council
Check the ASUCD Entertainment Council’s Facebook page to learn about bands and entertainers who come from across the U.S. to perform here.
Mondavi Center for Performing Arts
One of California’s finest performing arts centers features more than 100 events per year. Students attend their first performance for free and the rest are half-off.
A cappella singing
Listen to the harmonies from Aggie student singing groups — all male, all female and some of both — who compete for who are the most tuneful.
Campus Community Book Project
UC Davis encourages community members to read the same book and attend related events to explore the many aspects of diversity.
The Davis Feminist Film Festival
Don’t miss the annual opportunity to view independent films that explore perspectives often missing from mainstream media and culture.
Culture Days
Celebrate and learn about the cultures of African Americans, Asian-Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Native Americans and those of mixed heritage.
Special Collections
For a treat, visit the Special Collections department in Shields Library and find rare books, manuscript collections and the University Archives.