Experience the Arts at BU
Your destination for art, music, theatre, opera, workshops, lectures, and more at Boston University
BU Arts Central
Your destination for art, music, theatre, opera, workshops, lectures, and more at Boston University
Scroll to find featured upcoming events, and check back as new ones are added throughout the year. Be sure to follow CFA on Instagram, Facebook, and X for the latest news and event postings!
Upcoming Events
Nothing Matches, Everything Shines
808 Gallery Windows
June 5 – August 8, 2025
Boston University Art Galleries presents Nothing Matches, Everything Shines. Loretta Park’s multimedia practice stitches together colorful found objects to create joyful, elaborate installations. She delights in the unexpected juxtapositions discovered from collecting materials that have outlived their original functions. Curated by Madeleine Delpha. This exhibition can only be viewed from Commonwealth Avenue. There is no entrance into the gallery.
Information, Overload School of Visual Arts 2025 Alumni Exhibition
808 Gallery
September 2 – October 18, 2025
In a world overflowing with headlines, memes, and data streams, the 2025 School of Visual Arts Alumni Exhibition takes on the dizzying pace and power of information. Featuring works in all media by undergraduate and graduate alumni from 1967 to 2025, the show explores how artists navigate the tangled web of surveillance, networks, and the relentless circulation of images and text. From critical engagement to intentional resistance, these pieces ask: How does information shape what we see, believe, and ignore—and what does it mean to opt out?
BU Fall Arts Fair
George Sherman Union Plaza
September 5, 2025
Join the BU Office for the Arts, BU arts programs, academic units, and selected Boston area arts organizations on the George Sherman Union Plaza to explore all that BU and Boston have to offer. Look for discounts, special offers, internship opportunities, and more! Stop by for the chance for two free tickets to the Boston Ballet Nutcracker.
The Ceremony
Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre
September 11 – October 5, 2025
Mfoniso Udofia continues her Ufot Family Cycle with a vibrant, heartwarming celebration of love intertwining Nigerian and Nepali cultures. When Abasiama and Disciple’s only son, Ekong asks Lumanthi Rathi to be his wife, they accept that their dream wedding might have to go on without either of their fathers present. But when Lumanti’s dad has a sudden change of heart, Ekong dares to attempt a reconciliation with his long-estranged father in order to make the ritual of their wedding ceremony truly whole. CHUANG Stage, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, and Boston University College of Fine Arts join forces to produce this world premiere, commissioned and developed by The Huntington.
Cathy & Harry Documentary Screening & Conversation
Howard Thurman Center
September 30, 2025
Boston University School of Visual Arts presents a screening of the 44-minute documentary, Cathy & Harry, followed by a conversation with filmmakers Marta Renzi and Daniel Wolff, and artists Catherine Murphy and Harry Roseman. Cathy & Harry is a revealing and humorous double-portrait of artists Catherine Murphy and Harry Roseman whose work is in collections from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Metropolitan Transit Authority. The film documents how their lives revolve in joyous, dizzying intensity around work, food, friends, and each other. The discussion will be moderated by Professor of Art Josephine Halvorson.
Boston University Wind Ensemble “Reimagined”
Tsai Performance Center
October 9, 2025
Boston University Wind Ensemble begins its 2025-2026 season with new director Joshua Roach at Tsai Performance Center. The program features works in which composers “reimagine” established ideas and structures. Repertoire: Smith, Dance Mix (2000), Bronnenkandt, Tarot (2021) Strauss, Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7 (1881), Maslanka, Traveler (2003), Grainger, “The Gum-Sucker’s March” from In a Nutshell (1914/1942). This event is free and open to the public.
Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster
Wheelock Family Theatre
October 9 – 19, 2025
Leonardo is a terrible monster. He tries so hard to be scary, but he just… isn’t. Then Leonardo finds Sam, the most scaredy-cat kid in the world. Will Leonardo finally get to scare the tuna salad out of someone? Or will it be the start of an unlikely friendship? The plot thickens when this pair meets Kerry and Frankenthaler, an even scaredier-cat and her monster friend. Kerry and Sam need to make a big decision: will they just be scaredy cats or can they become friends? Based on the books by Mo Willems.
Mother Mary
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
October 9 – 26, 2025
Boston, 1968. Taxi driver Jo Cruz knows the streets of Southie like the back of her hand, but no road map can prepare her for meeting Mary O’Sullivan, a Catholic school teacher with a boyfriend and a very strict mother. Despite rising tensions between their Puerto Rican and Irish communities, Jo and Mary find themselves in an unexpectedly close friendship…or is it something more? But their growing connection takes a turn when Mary asks Jo to take her on a risky road trip from which there’s no going back. A new romcom about choice, faith, and how to find your way home. By KJ Moran Velz.
The Eleanors
Studio ONE
October 10 – 12, 2025
The Eleanors, is a 90-minute chamber opera set in the final year of World War II. Newlywed nurse Maxie turns to her friends Lilian and Ramona for support when her husband Cal is captured during the Battle of the Bulge and imprisoned. Lyrical, funny, high energy, heartbreaking and heartwarming, The Eleanors is infused throughout with musical influences from swing and American Songbook. Jodie Goble, composer and librettist. Michael Ching, co-librettist. Matthew Larson, music director. Edward Sturm (CFA’24), stage director. This production is part of the 2025 Fringe Festival.
Thumbprint
Studio ONE
October 24 – 26, 2025
Thumbprint is inspired by the extraordinary transformation of Mukhtar Mai, a young woman whose world was shattered by an act of brutality that could have destroyed her. Instead, she discovers a weapon—her voice—and against all odds, to the astonishment of her country and herself, she seeks justice and finds it. Her journey resonates beyond borders in its implicit belief that even in the darkest times, one person, one voice, through a single act of courage, can change life for thousands. Kamala Sankaram, composer. Susan Yankowitz, librettist. Allison Voth, music director. Grant Sorenson (CFA’26), stage director. This production is part of the 2025 Fringe Festival.
Dream
“Jewels 1” Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatre
October 24 – 26, 2025
Dream by William Shakespeare, developed by Clay Hopper, Jon Savage, and James Grady, and directed by Clay Hopper, is a collaboration between Boston University School of Theatre, School of Visual Arts, and The Duan Family Center for Data Science. This production is also a culmination of 7 years of research and development of a novel design tool, Random Actor, which uses computational vision and machine learning to create and design physically interactive projections within an immersive projected media environment for the actor.
Open Studios Fall 2025
808 Commonwealth Gallery
November 8, 2025
Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Visual Arts presents this citywide celebration uniting the artist-student communities of BU, MassArt, and SMFA at Tufts University. Each school will host a staggered time block open to the public. Visitors are invited to explore student studios across all three institutions, meet artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, and multimedia, and experience the vibrancy of Boston’s arts community. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Wagner Foundation.
Fefu and Her Friends
Studio ONE
November 14 – 16, 2026
Boston University School of Theatre presents Fefu and Her Friends, book María Irene Fornés, and directed by Gregg Wiggans (CFA’25) and Liv King (CFA’26). One of Off-Broadway’s best-loved plays, originally directed by the author. The audience follows the lives of eight women. For this play, María Irene Fornés received one of her nine Obie awards. This production is part of the 2025 Fringe Festival.
Flowers for Mrs. Harris
Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre
November 16 – 23, 2026
Flowers for Mrs Harris, based on the novel by Paul Gallico, with music and lyrics by Richard Taylor and book by Rachel Wagstaff, is directed by Shamus (CFA’23), with music direction by Harry Castle. For Ada Harris, day-to-day life is spent cleaning houses. But when she happens upon something that takes her breath away, she sets off on a journey that will change her life… From the cobbled streets of post-war London to the magical avenues of Paris and beyond, Ada transforms the lives of everyone she meets along the way, but can she let go of her past and finally let her own life blossom?
Annie
Wheelock Family Theatre
November 21 – December 22, 2025
Set in 1930s New York City during the Great Depression, Annie is the heartwarming story of a young orphan girl with unwavering optimism and a belief that brighter days are always ahead. Living under the harsh care of the bitter Miss Hannigan, Annie dreams of reuniting with her parents. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she is invited to spend Christmas with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin.
Magic in the Wings
Wheelock Family Theatre
December 4, 2025
Celebrate 45 extraordinary years of storytelling, imagination, and impact in an unforgettable evening honoring the theatre’s legacy and building the foundation for its future. Champions of the arts come together for a vibrant celebration filled with live performances, behind-the-scenes magic, and inspiring stories from the community we serve. Guests will enjoy festive fare, interactive experiences, and opportunities to learn about the artists, educators, and youth whose lives have been transformed by Wheelock’s commitment to inclusive, accessible theatre.
Calf Scramble
Studio ONE
December 4 – 7, 2026
Boston University School of Theatre presents Calf Scramble by Libby Carr and directed by Shalee Cole Mauleón. In a barn outside Huntsville, Texas, five Future Farmers of America raise and ruin their prize-winning calves. Calf Scramble is a raucous rodeo of girls playing God, clambering for power over their animals, their bodies, and each other. This production is part of the 2025 Fringe Festival.
Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo
808 Gallery
December 6 – 7, 2025
Join thousands of comics fans at New England’s premier celebration of independent comics and graphic novels! MICE brings together hundreds of indie creators and small press publishers for a weekend of hands-on workshops, inclusive panel discussions, and amazing new comics for readers of all ages. Discover the latest in independent comics — don’t miss out! This event is FREE and open to all audiences.
Aurora Borealis: A Festival of Light and Dance
Boston University Dance Theatre
December 8, 2026
A classic in itself, Aurora Borealis, curated by by Yo-EL Cassell, is a vibrant exploration of the relationship between light and form with a focus on collaboration and experimentation, featuring dance and movement pieces by faculty and students and lighting design by graduate students in the School of Theatre Lighting Design program. A collaboration between Boston University School of Theatre and the BU Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
Zabel in Exile
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre
February 19 – March 8, 2026
By R.N. Sandberg. Directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. Yerevan, 1937. Armenian writer and activist Zabel Yessayan sits in a Soviet prison cell, awaiting execution. But what exactly is her crime? Writing novels? Knowing how to speak French? Being a woman? As Zabel confronts her captors, past and present blur, and she reckons with the injustices she has witnessed and confronted—from schoolyard bullying to the horrors of genocide. Zabel in Exile is a searing memory play that honors the strength of a woman unafraid to stand up to tyranny and wrestles with whether it is possible to continue to believe in light during times of endless darkness.
Charlotte’s Web
Wheelock Family Theatre
April 1 – 26, 2026
Adapted from the beloved novel by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web tells the heartwarming story of friendship, loyalty, and the cycle of life on a family farm. As seasons change, the animals experience joy, fear, and loss, ultimately celebrating the enduring power of love and selflessness. Filled with humor and tenderness, the play adaptation brings E.B. White’s classic tale to life for audiences of all ages.
Past Events
Boston Young Contemporaries 2025
Stone Gallery
June 5 – July 26, 2025
Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Visual Arts, in collaboration with Massachusetts College of Art and Design and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, presents this revitalized exhibition showcasing work by current and just-graduated MFA students from all three schools. The exhibition builds on a tradition launched over twenty years ago by Boston University MFA students and returns with support from the Wagner Foundation. The 2025 edition is juried by Selby Nimrod and highlights the next generation of artists working across disciplines and across the city.
Kufre n’ Quay
Wheelock Family Theatre
July 10 – 26, 2025
The world premiere of Kufre N’ Quay by Mfoniso Udofia, directed by John ADEkjoe, is produced by Boston Arts Academy, in partnership with Wheelock Family Theatre. This is a world premiere and play #5 in the Ufot Cycle. Set in Harlem in 2019. We meet Kufre, son of the Iniabiasi and grandson of Abasiama. The play explores childhood experiences, and how we navigate the contrast between African and Black American Culture.
Visit the Full Events Calendar
There’s something happening every day at BU. In addition to featured events listed above, you can check out the complete calendar of upcoming CFA events as well as opportunities for artists and art-lovers alike to experience all of what Boston University has to offer.
Featured Works
Miss an event or just want to relive the magic? Visit our collection of Featured Works, where you’ll find an in-depth look at recent exhibitions, theatrical productions, operas, concerts, and more.
Series Deep Dive
Explore your favorite venues and mediums.
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre is the home of new plays in Boston. “We have a deep investment in Boston and Boston-adjacent artists, especially alumni and current students of Boston University’s graduate Playwriting Program, whose plays will be found in each and every BPT season. We look for projects that center vital questions in the lives of those who live, work, and play in our region.”
BUAG is a vibrant resource of learning and cultural engagement for BU, the city of Boston, and the surrounding metro area. The galleries, which are free and open to the public, maintain ongoing rotating exhibitions that feature a wide scope of art from all ranges of mediums and artists.
The Boston University Office for the Arts ensures that the arts are fundamental to the student experience by developing and supporting university-wide programs to advance the role of the arts at BU through building community; supporting interdisciplinary arts teaching, learning, and research; and highlighting diverse artists and modes of artistry. BU Office for the Arts hosts a variety of arts events for BU students and the broader Boston community.
The Opera Institute is an intensive, highly selective two-year performance-based training program for emerging operatic artists. Each year, OI presents large and small-scale works across campus, including two main stage productions and the Fringe Festival.
The annual Boston University Fringe Festival, now in its 28th season, is a collaboration between the College of Fine Arts School of Music: Opera Institute and School of Theatre. Fringe’s mission is to produce new or rarely performed significant works in the opera and theatre repertoire, bringing performances and audiences together in unique theatrical settings.
Boston University’s Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre provides BU students with countless opportunities to experiment, innovate, and take the audience from Commonwealth Avenue to other worlds.
Learn more about this season at Booth, and the full School of Theatre slate of works, at bu.edu/cfa/theatre/season.
The large ensembles at Boston University, including Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Wind Ensemble, BU Singers, and Symphonic Chorus, play a central role in the education of the School’s instrumentalists who aspire to professions as chamber musicians, ensemble musicians, teachers, or a combination of all three.
Every Spring, Boston University School of Visual Arts hosts exhibitions showcasing the work of graduating students in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Exhibitions typically are held on campus in the galleries at the College of Fine Arts, including the Faye G., Jo, and James Stone Gallery, 808 Gallery, and Commonwealth Gallery, with satellite shows throughout the School of Visual Arts facilities.
Hosted by the MFA programs at Boston University School of Visual Arts, the Tuesday Night Lecture Series brings practicing artists and curators to Boston University to present their work. The series is an integral component of the MFA programs which provide two years of intensive studio practice and artistic community in the heart of Boston University’s urban campus. In addition to a public lecture on their work, visiting artists meet with students for individual and group critiques as well as hands-on workshops.
Wheelock Family Theatre is one of the largest professional theaters in Boston with performances having been seen by more than one million people. Its impressive outreach to Boston and Greater Boston schools enables Wheelock Family Theatre to entertain and educate approximately 15,000 visiting schoolchildren every year, living out their mission to “create inter-generational and multicultural productions that provide a shared experience for the whole family. Our productions celebrate the diverse range of families found in the world today and seek to unite them in the shared experience of live theatre.”
2025 – 2026 Season
- Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster – October 9 – 19, 2025
- Annie – November 21 – December 22, 2025
- Charlotte’s Web – April 1 – 26, 2026