Why Iowa?

Iowa Dance is a close-knit creative community, nestled in the heart of a major university, in a vibrant small city that loves the arts and ideas. Guided by nationally respected artist-professors, you'll dance, study, and perform as part of a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education.

Prepare for any career

Earn your MFA in choreography or performance

Extraordinary artists, scholars, and teachers

Join the Iowa Dance Family

We're a welcoming and supportive community of creators on a campus full of friendly people doing fascinating things. We invite you to train and perform with professors and fellow students who are as passionate about dance as you–and to develop your artistry, your career, and your knowledge of the world.

Write Your Story

You have lots of interests–and we want you to explore them all as part of our Iowa Dance family. As an undergraduate, we'll encourage you to double-major, to transcend disciplinary boundaries, and to build your unique life and career.

Earn your Masters of Fine Arts in Dance

Your MFA in Dance prepares you to take the next step in your professional journey. If you're an expressive, curious, and passionate dancer seeking an immersive education in a creative community through supportive, comprehensive training, we invite you to experience our graduate program.

undergraduate students practicing ballet at barres in Halsey Hall gym

1 ST

university to award MFA degree in the U.S.
undergraduate student Ellie Daley dressed in black dancing on the steps of Catlett Hall. she is linging forward with her arms stretched over her head in the opposite direction and looking back at the camera

12 +

student-led dance concerts and performances each year

1

The only comprehensive Dance Program in Iowa
dancer in Intermediate Jazz dance class. Primary Instructor, Lovar Kidd

64 %

of BA students are double majors
group of BFA students performing onstage

News and announcements

UI Dance Department relocates, enters new era of growth

Thursday, September 10, 2026
The University of Iowa's Dance Department is moving from Halsey Hall to a renovated space in the former Museum of Art building, with an opening ceremony set for September 24, 2026. The new facility offers five studios, better flooring, climate control, and natural light, upgrades faculty say will expand the program's teaching capacity, even as some, like longtime staff and students tied to Halsey Hall, feel the loss of that history.

The International ScreenDance Festival brought together global displays of film and dance for its eleventh year

Thursday, September 10, 2026
The International ScreenDance Festival celebrated its eleventh year at FilmScene at The Chauncey on August 29, 2026, showcasing 11 films from nine countries that blend choreography with cinematic techniques like editing and camera angles. The festival was founded by University of Iowa dance professor Eloy Barragán, who has directed it since its inception, and has been organized for the past five years by Emily Trapnell, a third-year Dance BFA student at the University of Iowa.

Beyond the moving body

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Events

Dance Building opening celebration promotional image

Dance Building opening celebration

Thursday, September 24, 2026 3:30pm
Dance Building
Our blockbuster year continues! In 2026, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the University of Iowa's Bachelor of Arts in Dance—and we are moving the Department of Dance into our new home this fall.
Collaborative Performance: Dance x International Writing Program promotional image

Collaborative Performance: Dance x International Writing Program

Saturday, October 10, 2026 7:30pm
Space Place Theater
An Iowa tradition connects writers from around the world and Department of Dance students.
Holding Space: Stories of Interdisciplinary Collaboration — Counterpoint event featuring Stephanie Miracle promotional image

Holding Space: Stories of Interdisciplinary Collaboration — Counterpoint event featuring Stephanie Miracle

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 5:00pm to 5:15pm
Voxman Music Building

Join us to celebrate the interdisciplinary work of University of Iowa choreographer and assistant professor of dance Stephanie Miracle, recipient of the 2026 Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award.

Miracle will bring together dance, engineering, and the humanities in a new choreographed work featuring dancers performing alongside robots built by the University of Iowa College of Engineering, with narration by Eric Gidal.

A conversation among Miracle, Gidal, and engineering collaborator Deema...

Dance Auditions promotional image

Dance Auditions

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Dance Building
Dance auditions are open to anyone, regardless of major!
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