<p>You may want to re-evaluate your separation of “academic” and “creative”. Even in science, the most accomplished researchers are “creative”. Whatever field you choose, if you want to make paradigm shifts, it takes imagination and, what is termed in consultant speak, “out of the box” thinking. I met plenty of very creative people in college, some majored in the arts and many in the hard sciences. </p>
<p>I understand what you are trying to get at, though… </p>
<p>Regarding balance with the “arts”… I think HC’s core strengths are in the natural sciences. Especially for molecular bio/ bio-chem/ bio-physics, I don’t think that there are any LACs or many universities that can provide the same undergraduate resources as HC. For example, students can do research on human stem cells (a few other colleges may work with mice stem cells, if any at all) and the ONLY National Academy of Science member to teach at a LAC teaches physics at HC. HC with Williams are the only LACs to get maximum funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute over the last 15 years (more impressive is that the total cash amount was the same between the 2 schools and HC is ½ the size). Also, departments like religion, poli sci, econ, history, phil, and english are excellent too and made outstanding by the Bi-college relationship. </p>
<p>The visual and performing arts are not as strong as these departments. It’s hard to find “balance” when your comparisons may be some of the best/ if not the best in the country. Theater offerings/drama @ HC are a little sketchy but Bryn Mawr’s department is very good. Fine arts are better but still small. However, in the last 2 years, HC has made a commitment to improve the arts experience on campus and the upcoming capital campaign is explicitly designated to address this… then HC will be uniformly excellent. </p>
<p>The discussion above is in reference to the academic art experience on campus. There’s plenty in terms of student run initiatives… improve, theater, singing, literary magazines, film making. You also have to include the tremendous arts resources in Philly as well. </p>
<p>Some recent arts happenings…
There will be a panel this week on Hollywood with Dan Dae Kim ’89. [Haverford</a> College: Alumni Year in the Arts](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/thearts/aya/]Haverford”>http://www.haverford.edu/thearts/aya/)
[Haverford</a> College](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/newsletter/march07/jameshouse.htm]Haverford”>http://www.haverford.edu/newsletter/march07/jameshouse.htm)
[John</a> B. Hurford 60 Humanities Center](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/HHC/]John”>http://www.haverford.edu/HHC/)
[The</a> Arts at Haverford College](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/thearts/]The”>http://www.haverford.edu/thearts/)</p>
<p>…and resources at Bryn Mawr, such as…
[Bryn</a> Mawr Calendar - Performing Arts Series](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/calendar/performing_arts.shtml]Bryn”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/calendar/performing_arts.shtml)</p>
<p>Upcoming capital campaign/ new arts facilities
[Building</a> for the Arts](<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/publications/Fall%2006/buildingarts.htm]Building”>http://www.haverford.edu/publications/Fall%2006/buildingarts.htm)</p>