Life at Meadows

Activities – Meadows School of the Arts

Meadows offers a wide variety of on-campus cultural experiences for both fine arts majors and lovers of the arts. Hear the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, watch a play, see a film screening, or experience a variety of art exhibitions, and more!

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    Student Performances

    • Music: Hear concerts from ensembles across all areas of music, including the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Choir, Jazz Orchestra, Percussion, World Music and more!
    • Dance: The Division of Dance puts on multiple productions each year, from their annual Fall and Spring Dance Concerts to a variety of student showcases.
    • Theatre: There are six or more plays produced by the Division of Theatre and one opera production from our Meadows Lyric Theatre group every year. There will soon be musicals in the rotation as well, thanks to the new Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre!
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    Art Exhibitions

    • Student Exhibitions: Work from students in the Division of Art is displayed in various exhibitions in the Doolin Gallery and the Jordan Gallery of SMU’s Owen Arts Center, both open to the public.
    • Guest Exhibitions: The Pollock Gallery, located on SMU’s East Campus, is the primary venue for the Division of Art as a teaching gallery, hosting an array of works of art from different artists, time periods, and cultures in their rotating exhibitions.
    •  Exhibitions: The Meadows Museum on SMU’s campus houses one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art outside of Spain, presenting an exciting series of exhibitions each year.
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    Film Screenings

    • Meadows’ Division of Film & Media Arts puts on film screenings throughout the year on campus and at local theaters like Violet Crown Cinema and the Angelika Center. These screenings can range from student work to popular films with accompanying Q&As.
    • The Meadows Museum hosts free film screenings of Spanish films in partnership with the , and  that complement the vast array of Spanish works in their galleries.
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    Artist Lectures & Masterclasses

    • Meadows regularly brings in leading artists, scholars, and media professionals for recitals lectures, critiques, and workshops. Visiting artists often collaborate with students in classrooms, rehearsals, and studios offering insider perspectives and mentorship.

Student Organizations

Meadows students enrich their academic journey through dynamic student organizations, each designed to inspire creativity, develop leadership skills and create meaningful connections across disciplines and cultures.

  • Creative Computation students look at a tech installation on screen at the C3 Spring Showcase.
    • Íæż½ã½ãStudent Theatre (SMUST): SMUST is a fully student-driven theater company that produces approximately 6-9 shows each semester. Theatre majors and non-majors alike pitch creative projects to the SMUST board and collaborate on every facet of production, from directing and set design to promotion and technical execution. This immersive experience mirrors professional theatre practices and nurtures storytelling, teamwork and project leadership.
    • Student Organized Art Collective (SOAC): SOAC, now in its fourth year, is an artist-led collective where students from any major exhibit and critique art together. With several exhibitions hosted each year at the Jordan Gallery, SOAC integrates students across disciplines—art, creative computing, biology, art history and more—and encourages leadership in roles such as funding oversight, marketing and installation.
    • Student Publications and Media: Meadows students actively contribute to SMU’s student-run media outlets, building professional portfolios while telling important stories. These platforms provide essential storytelling, editorial and technical experience that align with careers in journalism, digital content and other creative industries.
      • The Daily Campus serves as SMU’s independent student newspaper, covering campus news, arts and commentary.
      • Íæż½ã½ãLook magazine focuses on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle, featuring student writers, designers, and photographers.
      • SMU-TV offers hands-on broadcast experience, where students produce live news shows, interviews and special segments in a real studio environment.
    • Latinx Fashion Leadership Council (LXFLC): The LXFLC elevates cross-cultural engagement within the fashion and beauty industries. Open to all Íæż½ã½ãstudents, it emphasizes diversity, mentorship, and networking. Members gain industry insights, leadership roles, and access to employment opportunities. Joining is seamless via their Instagram QR code—a reflection of the organization's focus on accessibility and innovation.
    • National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) – Íæż½ã½ãChapter: NABJ at Íæż½ã½ãoffers vital networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for students pursuing media careers. The chapter centers representation, journalistic excellence, and career readiness. It also fosters a supportive community for Black students in communication fields—providing training, advocacy, and connection to industry pathways.
    • Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) – Íæż½ã½ãChapter: As the Íæż½ã½ãchapter of PRSSA, this group connects students interested in public relations and strategic communication with industry professionals, events, and workshops. Members gain real-world skills in media relations, campaign planning, branding, and more—all aligned with SMU’s CCPA curriculum and career preparation services.

Community Engagement

Your on-campus experience will be enhanced by the vibrant community at SMU, which help you get accustomed to student life and connect you with resources and like-minded students.

  • Two Meadows students smile and pose with Mustang signs at an Íæż½ã½ãevent.
    • Meadows Ambassadors for Prospective Students (MAPS): MAPS is a dedicated group of student volunteers who represent Meadows in recruitment events, welcoming prospective students and sharing personal insights about life at Meadows. The program also builds confidence and communication skills in a real-world setting.
    • Residential Commons life: SMU’s Residential Commons foster belonging and interdisciplinary connection. All first- and second-year students live in one of the 11 Residential Commons, where they build community with peers from across campus while participating in creative, cultural and academic programming.

Academic And Professional Development

Íæż½ã½ãoffers students a number of ways to enhance their education through academic and professional development opportunities. These include mentor programs, internships and support for advanced research projects.

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    • Meadows Mentors: This mentorship program pairs current students with alumni and other volunteers who are willing to share career advice and support. It provides students with a resource who has been in their shoes and can give industry-specific career insights that they need to be successful in their field.
    • PMC Foundation Intern Fellowship: This new program subsidizes five paid summer internships for Meadows students in Dallas-based arts, communication and media organizations. Interns gain hands-on experience with top industry partners while receiving mentorship and networking access.
    • Engaged Learning programs: This university-wide initiative supports programs for student-led research and creative projects beyond the classroom. With faculty mentorship and funding, participants design and execute original work that culminates in public presentations and professional experience.