Music Programs
Experience music in a big city from within a tight-knit, collaborative community of faculty and peers. Choose from two undergraduate degrees, a graduate degree, and an innovative certificate program.
Art Programs
Discover, create, and express through dialogue, exploration, and collaboration, all while developing your portfolio and exhibition skills. Choose from two degrees, two concentrations, and a pre-professional program.
Theatre Program
Become a comprehensive theatre artist, developing creative problem-solving skills and learning first-hand the full process of staging a show through Chicago’s storefront theatre model.
A Closer Look
Join us for a tour of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre.
See Our Work
Spring Warm-Up with Dr. Julia Davids
“Place of Waiting” an exhibit by Stephen Signa-Aviles
Midnight on the Oasis: A Visual Album
Our Core Values
The School of Music, Art, and Theatre is guided by the following core values:
DISCOVER. We believe the arts require curiosity and exploration.
ENGAGE. We believe learning is in the doing.
GROW. We believe the arts serve humanity and the well-being of all.
Our Vision
Devoted to the discovery and sharing of wisdom and knowledge, education serves humanity and the well-being of all. As the School of Music, Art, and Theatre, we imagine and create our programs in the richness of community. Committing to the highest standards of excellence in the fields of music, art, theatre, and education, we the community of students, faculty, and staff contribute to the integration of the arts and life within self, the North Park campus, the city of Chicago, and the world. We explore and hone personal aesthetic within the dialogue between culture and human values. We guide and encourage students in the journey toward a sustainable creative practice; one that can move beyond North Park University to benefit humanity.
Our diversities enhance and strengthen the artistic, spiritual, and intellectual work of learning, teaching, and sharing. Diversity itself is essential for excellence and achievement and we intentionally commit to exposing ourselves to other perspectives and cultures to ensure that our opinions, viewpoints, and judgments are continuously challenged and enable understandings across differences. We celebrate our vocations in and through a multiplicity of cultures and communities locally and globally. We know that embracing, advancing, and valuing diversity everywhere will make us all the more successful. As a Christian institution, we strive to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, genders, political and religious beliefs, physical and learning differences, sexual orientations, and identities that make up our campus community. All members of our school belong to our community and are equally supported regardless of background, identity, or affiliation.
Our Mission
The programs of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre offer challenging curricula enriched by the diversity of voices throughout history and cultures. We prepare students for creative practice now and into the future: artists who are global citizens equipped for the changing professions of the 21st century. As an artistic community of students, faculty, and staff, we seek to increase awareness of civic responsibility and promote a culture of compassion through the intersection of faith and learning.
Be prepared for anything you dream of achieving through your art.
Explore Scholarships
North Park University is proud to be able to recognize your talents in music, art, and theatre with renewable scholarship awards, which have specific application instructions and deadlines in early spring. If you are awarded a talent scholarship, it can be applied alongside any academic scholarships.
Creative. Collaborative. Compassionate.
Our faculty members are highly regarded in their disciplines and are equipped to prepare you for anything you dream of achieving through your art. Our innovative programs are shaped by our professors’ backgrounds creating, exhibiting, performing, and teaching. With these specialized instructors teaching courses that combine academics and hands-on learning—plus a wealth of opportunities to put your abilities into practice—you’ll know that your education is enabling you to find success in the real world.
Creative Opportunities
The School of Music, Art, and Theatre offers a variety of creative opportunities both on and off campus. The music program offers vocal and instrumental ensembles, and an opera program; art students plan and exhibit their works; and theatre students write, direct, and produce one-act plays and full productions.
Events
Our students and faculty produce, perform, and exhibit in events on and off campus throughout the year. Our students are able to experience world-class offerings in the arts that enhance their classroom experience.
Meet Our Faculty and Staff
Alumni Spotlight
Trevor Nicholas, alumnus and music teacher at Senn Arts, is a finalist for the the 2023 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum. Read more about his achievement.
Follow SMAT on Social
Facebook: npuSMAT
Other accounts:
Carlson Tower Gallery
NPU Theatre
