Arts & Culture

Explore Harvard’s vibrant arts scene—from campus exhibitions and theater to cultural analysis and literary reviews. Discover how creativity shapes the Harvard experience.

Conan O’Brien in a dark suit and light shirt, smiling and posing with hands clasped.

Conan O’Brien Named Harvard’s 2026 Commencement Speaker

The comedian, host, and 1985 graduate will deliver remarks at the May 28 ceremony. 

by Schuyler Velasco

Thackeray’s self-portrait from an 1848 edition of <i>Vanity Fair</i>

Harvard’s Houghton Library celebrates William Makepeace Thackeray

Houghton Library celebrates William Makepeace Thackeray.

by Christopher Reed

&ldquo;Interweave,&rdquo; a 1982 studio quilt by Michael James. From the Ardis and Robert James Collection.

Quilts are art, as the International Quilt Study Center and Museum proves

Fabric art that rises from mattresses to museum walls

A correspondence corner for not-so-famous lost words

Correspondence on not-so-famous lost words

In his Cambridge studio, Childs makes about six violins a year.

Bob Childs makes world-class violins

Bob Childs makes world-class violins.

by Laura Levis

An episode from <i>Starling</i> in which the superheroine, having made a midair rescue of an aspiring suicide who&rsquo;s leapt off a bridge, gets a not-especially-grateful reception.

Sage Stossel's graphic novel, Starling, depicts an anti-superheroine.

“Starling” can handle thugs and palookas, but not daily life.

by Craig Lambert

1911 Chicago Cubs player cards from the pre-Wrigley Field era, when baseball and smoking were <i>both</i> all-American

The sabermetric revolution

Economist Andrew Zimbalist analyzes the sabermetric revolution

The wrack at your feet, made lovely: Josie Iselin&rsquo;s photograph of <i>Botryocladia pseudodichotoma, </i>sea grapes, from San Clemente Island, California

Recent books with Harvard connections

Recent books with Harvard connections

Dramatic even in his student days: Leonard Bernstein at the piano in 1936

The letters of Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein’s life, in his letters

by Carol Oja

Thomas Rowlandson&rsquo;s view of the library of the Royal Institution in London, circa 1810

Innovation in humanities courses aims to reach larger numbers of students

New gateways into the humanities for students “still fully molten as human beings”

by Jonathan Shaw

<i>Breaking Bad</i> creator Vince Gilligan discusses various themes and character motivations with President Faust in Farkas Hall this week.

Vince Gilligan of "Breaking Bad" converses with Harvard president Drew Faust

The hit show's creator, Vince Gilligan, converses with President Faust.