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

April 2026 Dance E-Newsletter

Monday, April 20, 2026
Spring news from your favorite 50-year-old

SoTL Scholars Spotlight: Kristin Marrs

Wednesday, April 8, 2026
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Scholars Spotlight Series features updates from faculty members designing, implementing, and disseminating meaningful SoTL projects. Kristin Marrs is Associate Professor of Instruction and Director of Graduate Studies in the UI Department of Dance.

Stephanie Miracle to Receive Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance, has been named the first ever recipient of the Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award.

Events

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture promotional image

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm
Visual Arts Building

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture
Featuring: Rodney E. Dailey II, Katrice Kelly, Maya Arthur, Shaun Mallonga, Perla Camacho Jiminez, William O'Neal II, Joanna Mak, Stephyne Weathersby, Ish Muhammad, Sarahann Kolder (Hvog), Garin Clinton Nelson, Aykeem M. Spivey

Tuesday - 04/21
Dance by Garin Clinton Nelson noon–2 p.m.

Wednesday - 04/22
Readings by Joanna Mak, Stephyne Weathersby & Ish Muhammad 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Thursday - 04/23
Opening Vocals by Sarahann Kolder (Hvog)...

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture promotional image

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm
Visual Arts Building

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture
Featuring: Rodney E. Dailey II, Katrice Kelly, Maya Arthur, Shaun Mallonga, Perla Camacho Jiminez, William O'Neal II, Joanna Mak, Stephyne Weathersby, Ish Muhammad, Sarahann Kolder (Hvog), Garin Clinton Nelson, Aykeem M. Spivey

Tuesday - 04/21
Dance by Garin Clinton Nelson noon–2 p.m.

Wednesday - 04/22
Readings by Joanna Mak, Stephyne Weathersby & Ish Muhammad 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Thursday - 04/23
Opening Vocals by Sarahann Kolder (Hvog)...

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture promotional image

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture

Thursday, April 23, 2026 8:00am to 8:00pm
Visual Arts Building

Color and Influence: Black Arts Movement to the Politics of Portraiture
Featuring: Rodney E. Dailey II, Katrice Kelly, Maya Arthur, Shaun Mallonga, Perla Camacho Jiminez, William O'Neal II, Joanna Mak, Stephyne Weathersby, Ish Muhammad, Sarahann Kolder (Hvog), Garin Clinton Nelson, Aykeem M. Spivey

Tuesday - 04/21
Dance by Garin Clinton Nelson noon–2 p.m.

Wednesday - 04/22
Readings by Joanna Mak, Stephyne Weathersby & Ish Muhammad 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Thursday - 04/23
Opening Vocals by Sarahann Kolder (Hvog)...

Wizard of Oz - Youth Ballet and Community Dance School 2026 Spring Concert promotional image

Wizard of Oz - Youth Ballet and Community Dance School 2026 Spring Concert

Friday, April 24, 2026 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Space Place Theater

Each year, the UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School’s spring concert reflects the shared efforts of students, faculty, and staff across our program. This season’s original production, The Wizard of Oz, brings the beloved cinematic tale to life through new choreography set to live piano, featuring a fresh arrangement of the film’s iconic score by Douglas Baker. Audiences will follow Dorothy’s journey through Oz as she meets unforgettable friends and finds her way back home. The evening also...

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