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

In memory of UI Department of Dance Director Alicia Brown-Matthes (1942 - 2026)

Monday, June 8, 2026
Alicia Anne Brown-Matthes, professor emerita of dance, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026, in Iowa City at the age of 83. The Fall 2026 Dance Gala event will be dedicated in her memory.

Sound, colors and dance in front of old Wuppertal looms

Monday, June 1, 2026
Assistant Professor of Dance Stephanie Miracle directs FAKERS CLUB, a collaborative live cinema and dance project she created in Essen, Germany, which was featured in the acclaimed finale of the interdisciplinary project "SoundColorDance."

Events

Collaborative Performance: Dance x International Writing Program promotional image

Collaborative Performance: Dance x International Writing Program

Saturday, October 10, 2026 8:00pm
Space Place Theater
An Iowa tradition connects writers from around the world and Department of Dance students.
Dance Gala promotional image

Dance Gala

Friday, November 13, 2026 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
Experience the beloved annual celebration of the artistry of University of Iowa dance students and faculty.
Dance Gala promotional image

Dance Gala

Saturday, November 14, 2026 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
Experience the beloved annual celebration of the artistry of University of Iowa dance students and faculty.

Dance Thesis I Concert: Olivia Farmerie

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 8:00pm
Space Place Theater
This performance will feature works choreographed by graduate student Olivia Farmerie from the University of Iowa Department of Dance.
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