Friends of Drake Arts

Enhancing Drake's rich tradition of fine arts

Friends of Drake Arts is a member organization that supports the rich tradition of fine arts programs at Drake and enhances audience experiences.

Learn more about the activities and goals of the organization by visiting About Friends of Drake Arts.

Check out the Fall Drake Fine Arts Calendar for the full schedule of nearly nightly performances in the easily accessible Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main and nearby Harmon Fine Arts Center.

You can make Drake fine arts even finer

Joining Friends of Drake Arts is easy and rewarding. Memberships are available at several levels, starting at only $35 a year. Members enjoy exclusive events with artists and receive advance information and invitations to performances and events.

Most important, these membership gifts directly and dramatically impact the lives of young aspiring artists at Drake and in the community.

For more information or to join, visit the membership Web page or call 515-271-3939.

Upcoming FDA Events

Sat., March 28, Salisbury House Gala sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts; by invitation only; 7 p.m., Salisbury House; Tickets $50 includes two drink tickets, live entertainment and an art display;  For additional information, contact Emily Weaver, 515-271-3155 or emily.weaver@drake.edu

Sun., Apr. 19, To Be Certain of the Dawn, a Holocaust oratorio by Stephen Paulus performed by Drake’s four choral ensembles, faculty soloists and a faculty/student orchestra; Aimee Beckmann-Collier, conductor; 3 p.m., Civic Center of Greater Des Moines; Tickets available at the Drake Fine Arts or Civic Center box offices for $15; $7 for students. Stephen Paulus and librettist Michael Dennis Browne will present a pre-concert talk at 2 p.m. in the east lobby of the Civic Center. Reception before the concert, second floor of the Civic Center, sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts

Wed., Apr. 22, Guest Recital Joel Fan, piano; 8 p.m., Sheslow Auditorium; Concert and reception following sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts

Sun., Apr. 26,   Drake Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concert Akira Mori, conductor; 8 p.m., Sheslow Auditorium; Reception honoring the Young Artist Competition winners following in Levitt Hall of Honor sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts

Fri., May 1 – Sat., May 2, Drake Opera Theatre presents A Night of Italian Comic Opera including Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and J. Haydn’s La Canterina (The Diva); Ann Cravero, director, along with the Chamber Orchestra, Akira Mori, conductor; 8 p.m., Performing Arts Hall, Harmon Fine Arts Center. Operas are performed in English; Tickets are available after March 1 through the Drake Fine Arts Box Office for $14; $7 for students, seniors, and those with Drake ID. Reception sponsored by Friends of Drake Arts.