Each ARTS FIRST festival is unique but every year combines the exuberance of Harvard students, faculty and affiliates who are passionate about the many art forms presented in four rousing days of performances, exhibitions and art-making opportunities. See visual art and opera, dance styles from around the world, many music genres, stand-up and improv comedy, theater, public art, poetry, experimental performances and so much more. We look forward to sharing our Harvard community with you during ARTS FIRST on April 29-May 2, 2021.

All ages! All arts! All are welcome!

While hundreds of live arts events scheduled for ARTS FIRST 2020 were canceled due to COVID-19, the spirit of the festival lives on. We celebrated ARTS FIRST in Spring 2020 with several digital initiatives:

Find out how you can Make Art at Home.

Enjoy videos created by Harvard students and affiliates who were scheduled to participate in ARTS FIRST 2020.

We thank our students, partners and audience members for ongoing support and enthusiasm for ARTS FIRST. We’re here for you and because of you, and we continue to find ways to make art. Join us for ARTS FIRST 2021: Thursday, April 29-Sunday, May 2, 2021.

If you have any questions, concerns or thoughts to share, please contact Marin Orlosky, ARTS FIRST Coordinator: arts@fas.harvard.edu, 617-495-8699.

ARTS FIRST is Harvard's annual showcase of student and faculty creativity. Produced by the Office for the Arts, with support from the Board of Overseers of Harvard University, the festival is a public event with many free performances and activities for Harvard and community members of all ages.