Arts & Culture

Pitzer is a community where creative spirits soar

view of past, present-future colorful mural in Avery's lobby

“Favorite thing about Pitzer – the physical campus, specifically the murals! The murals tell the story of who we are, what we stand for, and what matters to us.”

Dey Wallace-McKinstry ’25

Psychology and Political Studies major

100+ Murals

Students paint most of the murals on campus, while others were completed by world-renowned artists.

Builders. Makers. Doers.

Pitzer students are free thinkers who see art as more than art. Whether it’s on the page or the stage – murals, galleries, or student-run arts and music festivals – art has the potential for social commentary and community building. Here, you can turn your original ideas into reality.
 

Campus Murals

Colorful murals can be seen everywhere on Pitzer’s campus. All students can express themselves on our iconic, changing Free Wall on Mead Hall. Students who want to add to our permanent public art collection can submit a proposal to the Campus Aesthetics Committee.

 

Art Galleries

Pitzer College Art Galleries believes in the power of art to inspire, engage, and transform. The Galleries facilitates exhibitions and collaborations with artists and the Pitzer community. You can also apply to be a gallery student fellow! Galleries Fellows support dialogue about the social and cultural impact of contemporary art and ideas.

Music & Performances

We have live music and performance venues all over campus. The Grove House hosts open mics, readings, art openings, and “Groove at the Grove” music performances. You can also stop by The Shakedown Sounds, a bi-weekly open mic at the Shakedown Café.

Pitzer also hosts two student-run arts & music festivals every year.

Arts & Music Festivals

Rockabilly

Pitzer’s Latinx Student Union, an on-campus affinity group, sponsors this festival each year. Since 2007, Rockabilly has celebrated SoCal Latinx art, music, and car culture. All funds raised from the event are donated to community organizations and service projects.

Learn More About Affinity Groups
A band plays at McConnell apron while students dance.

Kohoutek

This annual music and arts festival is Pitzer’s first and oldest tradition. Kohoutek is named after a comet that appeared in 1973. The media hyped it as “the comet of the century.” Unfortunately, the comet’s display failed to impress. Then in true Pitzer fashion, a professor turned a spectacular dud into a spectacularly original idea. Thus, the Kohoutek festival was born!

Learn More About the Kohoutek Festival

Arts & Our Values

Pitzer’s Core Values come alive on our campus in a variety of ways. See how the value of student engagement turns art into action.

Student Engagement

“Students practice positive disruption. The free wall on Mead Hall, which evolves and changes in relation to the campus community climate, is the most evocative example of this spirit.”

Elizabeth Affuso

Media Studies Academic Director

1 Free Wall

On a north-facing wall on Mead Hall, students add to and change the murals here throughout the year.

Pitzer’s Endowed Lectures

Visit Our Endowed Lectures Page
Melvin L. Oliver stands at the podium in Pitzer's Benson auditorium.
Melvin L. Oliver introduces a guest lecturer at a Racial Justice Initiative event. 


The Melvin L. Oliver Racial Justice Initiative hosts thought-provoking lectures and panel discussions. Guest speakers explore how racial justice manifests in politics, history, literature, film, and more. The initiative was named after President Emeritus Melvin L. Oliver.

Learn More

Visit our Racial Justice Initiative page to view past lectures and workshops. 

Racial Justice Initiative

Arts at The Claremont Colleges

KSPC radio station recording studio.

KSPC Claremont strives to be a diverse, collaborative, and educational space for Claremont Colleges students and beyond. Community members come together to share their love of music and radio. KSPC provides a platform for new, local, and underrepresented voices.

Learn More

Visit KSPC's site to listen live, view program schedules & playlists, and information on how to get involved.

KSPC 88.7FM