How F&M Does the Arts

Music, literature, painting, dance, film — and so much more! When you study the arts at F&M, you’ll explore the countless ways in which we express our creativity and imagination as well as the impact artistic expression has in our world.

At F&M, studying the arts and making art go hand in hand. Classes in history, criticism, and theory deliberately weave into practice, and you’ll have ample opportunities in and out of class to perform, choreograph, compose, curate, and publish. You’ll immerse yourself in a campus tailor-made to incubate artists, studying and creating in world-class facilities, including our stunning Winter Visual Arts Center, our collaborative Writers House, the inspiring Phillips Museum of Art , the main-stage Roschel Performing Arts Center, and more. 

Perform, Compose, Direct

Act in a play. Perform your favorite composition. Critique a classic film. Then take it a step further. You’ll have opportunities to work one-on-one with our renowned arts faculty to make and polish your own creative work — writing novels, composing symphonies, choreographing evening-length dance pieces, and directing plays and films.

The arts at F&M are also about community, and you’ll have the opportunity to curate your own exhibitions and productions, edit and publish your own magazines, contribute to F&M’s annual Emerging Writers Festival, and even attend professional performances in nearby cities like Philadelphia and New York.

Explore experiential learning at F&M

Careers in the Arts

After graduating from F&M, many of our students pursue graduate studies in the arts at leading programs around the world. Some publish acclaimed novels, some write and direct on Broadway or in Hollywood, some choreograph the innovative dance of today. Other students leverage the skills they’ve gained from the arts — creativity, communication, collaboration, and innovation, among others — in careers in publishing, film and television, the museum field, education, marketing, business, and more. Our graduates prove that arts-related degrees open doors to countless careers.

Explore success beyond F&M »

See Arts at F&M in Action

September 26, 2024

'A Summer Full of Learning and Growth'

F&M senior Moana Franco spent her summer working with The Edible Classroom, a Lancaster-based nonprofit that partners with schools and communities to create educational gardens. Franco worked as an educator at one of The Edible Classroom's summer camps.

September 18, 2024

Junior Finds Culture & Community Through Lancaster Internship

When she transferred to F&M, Teagan Durkin ’26 set a goal to become further immersed in LGBTQIA+ culture and community. This summer, she interned with Lancaster Pride and helped plan a record-breaking festival. We talked to her about her summer responsibilities and how they added value to her overall F&M experience.

September 17, 2024

More than a Museum: Phillips Art Exhibits Promote Inquiry & Unity

Stroll through the Phillips Museum of Art this fall, and you might just stumble upon a writing workshop, music performance, academic class or yoga and meditation session.