Art, Design, Theatre and Music

Explore diverse artistic pathways and collaborative learning.

Elgin Community College offers a rich artistic experience for beginners or those fulfilling a general education requirement. Explore immersive artistic classes like video motion graphics, world music, drawing, design, or appreciation courses at Elgin Community College. ECC offers a collaborative community where education and artistic expression merge, with teachers dedicated to your success.

At ECC, our dynamic Art, Music, and Theatre spaces are designed for creative exploration. Look for student and professional art exhibits in on-campus fine arts galleries throughout the college and a permanent art collection displayed. While studying at ECC, you’ll learn from seasoned professionals who understand the life of a working artist, fostering a personal connection. Each spring, submit drawings, printmaking, and photographs for publication in Spire, our literary and visual arts magazine.

In 2024, we unveiled reimagined spaces featuring new practice rooms, performance spaces, and music studios. These 21st-century facilities offer a platform for one-on-one engagement with teachers, honing critical thinking skills through collaborative learning. Our clubs, including Anime, Art and Design, Fiber Arts, Film, and Performing Arts, help you connect with like-minded students. They provide opportunities to expand your social networks beyond the classroom.

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Please refer to the ECC catalog for program details and course descriptions.

ECC Catalog

What are ECC’s facilities like?

The ECC Arts Center hosts national touring acts and annually presents over a dozen professional dance, drama, and music events. Drama enthusiasts can participate in several plays each year, with six to eight weeks of rehearsals. They gain valuable experience in technical scene shop work, lighting, or stage management. ECC offers accessible facilities to dive into the worlds of drama, music, and visual or communication arts. Whether you’re interested in life as a working actor or web designer, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Elgin Community College.

Do you have partnerships with local community arts organizations?

We’ve partnered with renowned organizations like Elgin Master Chorale, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Children’s Theatre of Elgin. Other partners include Fox Valley Theatre Company, Hamilton Wings, and the Mexican folkloric ballet company BFH. These collaborations bring the arts to life, blending classroom learning with real-world artistic practice on our campus.

 Join the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference to showcase your jazz talents alongside other musicians and instrumentalists in performances. If you're into drama writing, you can submit your work and attend drama sessions. There are also opportunities to participate in open mic sessions, readings, and workshops. ECC students can showcase their artistic skills in the annual competition, with two- and three-dimensional artworks juried and exhibited. Conferences like the Society for Photographic Education give students national opportunities to showcase their work.

ECC in the News