A provocative exhibition by a rising contemporary artist. Five grand pianos sharing one stage. More than 300 musicians performing Mozart’s “Requiem.” A vibrant retelling of a classic love story set against mid-century New York.
The public can experience all of that — and dozens of free exhibitions, lectures and concerts — during the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ 2026-2027 fine and performing arts season beginning this August.
Spanning downtown and on-campus galleries, campus stages and concert halls, the eight-month season brings together the creative talents of faculty and students representing the Lamar Dodd School of Art, Hugh Hodgson School of Music, department of dance and department of theatre and film. The schedule includes contemporary art and design, Broadway favorites, student choreography, classical masterworks and experimental performances designed to introduce audiences to artists and ideas from UGA and beyond.
“The arts are one of the ways UGA connects most directly with Athens,” said Anna Stenport, dean of the Franklin College. “A performance, exhibition or lecture can open a conversation, introduce a new perspective and create a shared experience. At the same time, each event gives our students meaningful opportunities to learn through creating, performing and collaborating.”
Lamar Dodd School of Art
The Lamar Dodd School of Art will present dozens of free exhibitions, visiting artist and faculty lectures and public programs throughout the season.
Victoria Dugger, a celebrated mixed media artist, earned her Master of Fine Arts from UGA in 2022 and returns as the 2026 Margie E. West Prize winner. Her solo exhibition, “Runner Up,” opens Aug. 27 in the Dodd Galleries and will be accompanied by a public conversation with associate professor Benjamin Britton.
The Athenaeum, UGA’s contemporary art gallery in downtown Athens, will present “The Measure Is Something Else,” the first survey exhibition of artist and filmmaker Erin Johnson, who was recently featured in The New York Times. The exhibition runs from Aug. 29 to March 20 and concludes with a public symposium and keynote lecture.
Other featured artists in the Dodd Galleries and Athenaeum include Joshua Bienko, Megan Ledbetter, Christy Bush and the late Sam Gilliam.
Exhibitions and lectures are free and do not require tickets. The complete schedule is available at art.uga.edu.
Department of Dance
The dance department will offer three productions showcasing student creativity and a wide range of movement traditions.
The Student Choreography Concert, set for Nov. 11-13, will feature original works created and produced by UGA students. “Ballroom Magic,” held Feb. 11-13, will present 20 to 25 choreographed works in Smooth and Latin dance, along with guest performances.
The UGA Dance Company Spring Concert from April 8-10 will bring together faculty, guest artists, alumni and students in styles ranging from ballet and modern dance to aerial and African dance.
The complete dance schedule is available at dance.uga.edu.
Hugh Hodgson School of Music
The Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s season ranges from intimate faculty recitals and free ensemble concerts to large-scale productions featuring hundreds of performers.
The Piano Extravaganza returns Sept. 29 with five Steinway grand pianos, multiple performers sharing the stage and the introduction of new piano faculty members Scott Cuellar and Emely Phelps.
On Feb. 16, the UGA Wind Symphony and dance department will collaborate on “Let’s Dance!” where each musical work will be paired with a corresponding dance ensemble to create a fully integrated performance.
The season culminates on April 22 with Mozart’s “Requiem,” featuring the UGA Symphony Orchestra, Hodgson Singers, Georgia Choral Union, Georgia Treble Choir and UGA Glee Club. More than 300 student performers will take part.
Other programs include the annual Holiday Concert, UGA Opera Theatre’s production of Joseph Bologne’s 18th-century romantic comedy “The Anonymous Lover” and concerts spanning classical, jazz, contemporary and global musical traditions.
The complete music schedule is available at music.uga.edu.
UGA Theatre
UGA Theatre’s season combines contemporary drama, Broadway spectacle, inventive retellings and new student work.
The season opens with Nick Payne’s “Constellations,” an exploration of love and choice presented in collaboration with Aurora Theatre. It continues with the classic musical “Guys & Dolls”; Jaclyn Backhaus’ “Men on Boats,” which reexamines the mythology surrounding a historic expedition through the American West; and Oscar Wilde’s comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
In March, UGA Theatre will premiere “I’m Here,” a new play by student Calista Johnson. Winner of the 2026 New Georgia Award, the psychological drama explores memory, trauma and the relationships that shape people’s lives.
The complete theatre schedule is available at ugatheatre.com.
New ways to explore the arts
Three new arts sampler packages allow patrons to experience one dance production, one music performance and one theatre production while saving 25%.
“The arts samplers are an invitation to try something new,” said Julie Ray, head of the department of theatre and film. “Someone who already loves theatre might discover UGA dance or hear one of our music ensembles for the first time. We want to make it easier for audiences to experience the full range of creative work happening across Franklin.”
Patrons may also build their own five-performance package and save 20%. Additional packages offer savings of up to 25%.
Packages and individual tickets are available through the UGA Performing Arts Center box office at ugapac.evenue.net/list/ALL or 706-542-4400.
The complete 2026-27 Franklin fine and performing arts season brochure is available online.