Arts And Entertainment

Jenkins Hall has always been a home for making. When it opened in 1950, the building buzzed with the energy of Humboldt’s Industrial Arts program, a legacy shaped by faculty member Horace “Pop” Jenkins.

This year’s Lumberjack Weekend brought a funkadelic burst of music, pride, and community spirit to Cal Poly Humboldt from October 2–5. 

Cal Poly Humboldt’s publication, Humboldt Magazine, is entering a new era. The Fall 2025 edition marks the magazine’s first fully digital release, offering readers an immersive experience with expanded photo galleries, behind-the-scenes video, and interactive storytelling.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the climate crisis. But what if our collective despair isn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of a different kind of power?

Every summer for the past 50 years, brass players from across the country make their way to campus. All are drawn by the same unmistakable energy that defines the Brass Chamber Music Workshop (BCMW), a globally unique program offered through Cal Poly Humboldt’s College of Extended Education and Global Engagement, where camaraderie, growth, and music-making go hand in hand.

As AI and automation play a growing role in daily life, creativity and the ability to work across different mediums are more valuable than ever.

Lights, camera, action! The Humboldt International Film Festival (HIFF) is back for its 58th year, promising a spectacular showcase of independent short films from around the globe. 

The Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Dance, Music & Theatre presents Dance Visions at the John Van Duzer Theatre April 17–19 at 7 p.m. and April 20 at 2 p.m. 

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Goudi’ni Native American Arts Gallery presents Undammed, an exhibition that celebrates the historic removal of dams on the Klamath River.

Grown in popularity since 2023, the third annual Fiesta Folklórica, uniting Cal Poly Humboldt's Danza Azteca and Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt, will be held at the John Van Duzer Theatre on Friday, Feb. 28, Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m.

Celebrating its 26th year, Cal Poly Humboldt presents the annual International Latino Film Festival at The Minor Theatre, Feb. 24-26, 6-10:20 p.m. 

The Umoja Center for Pan African Excellence is hosting a series of on and off-campus events as part of Black Liberation Month, an annual celebration of Black history, culture, and resilience that highlights community, activism and excellence. 

The Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Dance, Music & Theater Invites you to the performance of the “Cal Poly Humboldt Recital Series: Welcome to Spring Semester.”

In response to the devastating fires in Los Angeles, Cal Poly Humboldt Art instructor Gina Tuzzi recently raffled off an original painting to raise funds to support artists affected by the fires.  

The Department of Dance, Music & Theatre at Cal Poly Humboldt presents Contemporary Music for Percussion performed by the Cal Poly Humboldt Percussion Ensemble; the Afro-Brazilian rhythms of Ile Aiye performed by the World Percussion Group; and the Festive Steel Drum Sounds of the Caribbean performed by the Humboldt Calypso Band.

The documentary will screen online Nov. 22-29 as part of American Indian Heritage Month.

Liminal bodies and space by visiting artists Linh Dao and Amanda Stojanov opens to the public on Thursday, Nov. 7, with an opening reception that evening from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Reese Bullen Gallery. The exhibition will run through Dec. 14.

CenterArts is being renamed Cal Poly Humboldt Presents to more directly connect the University with a cultural institution of the North Coast.

Thanks to the Humboldt Arts Council’s Permanent Collection, a new art show celebrates the visual arts of former Cal Poly Humboldt faculty who have long been a part of campus and community life.

The Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation partnered with the Ceramics Area of the Department of Art + Film’s Ceramics Club of Cal Poly Humboldt to create and produce over 400 Cal Poly Humboldt-inspired ceramic mugs as a unique gift for the University’s most generous recent donors.

With the support of thousands of families, the campus community, and local partners, Cal Poly Humboldt celebrated the Class of 2024.

The 11th Annual Cal Poly Humboldt Hip Hop Conference: Power to the People will feature a keynote address from Chuck D, and three days of presentations, performances, food, and celebrations of hip-hop culture from April 23-25.

The Department of Dance, Music & Theatre at Cal Poly Humboldt presents Dance Visions—an annual spring dance concert featuring 36 dancers and 10 different pieces in the diverse styles of ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap.

According to California Native American cultural traditions, Tribes would gather over multiple days to strengthen bonds and make significant decisions about their families and the future. Although there is no direct English translation of the Native word for these gatherings, the term “Big Time” was adopted to mean significant, decision-making, or major importance.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Goudi’ni Native American Arts Gallery presents the Wa Hinthil Come North group exhibition, curated by Meyo Marrufo. The exhibition runs March 28 through May 11.