NIU's School of Music is home to internationally renowned and award-winning instrumental and vocal ensembles.
The school's ensembles are open to all students and include orchestra, choirs, concert and marching bands, instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles, early music ensemble, chamber music ensembles, percussion ensemble, steel bands, Javanese and Balinese gamelans, tabla, West African drumming, Chinese percussion and others.
NIU's School of Theatre and Dance boasts an internationally recognized faculty of practicing artists and scholars, and a gifted student body of about 200 recruited and carefully selected from around the country and abroad.
The school annually presents a full season of stage productions on three stages, programmed to reflect eclectic choices to challenge students and audiences.
Well-known alumni include three-time Oscar nominee Joan Allen, "Practice" star Steve Harris and "Boston Legal" star Justin Mentell.
NIU's School of Art is the state's top producer of art teachers. It also prepares sudents for careers in ceramics, drawing, fiber, illustration, metals, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and time arts.
Student and professional art work is exhibited in two galleries in the art building (the Jack Olson Gallery and Gallery 214).
The campus community also can view works of art in NIU Art Museum, which has its galleries in Altgeld Hall.
The NIU Art Museum also sponsors an excursion program called "Get On The Bus," giving its participants opportunities to visit various art and architecture sites such as historic homes, art galleries, museums, artists’ studios and art fairs.