The Arts at Batten U
The arts are thriving at Batten University. From ever-changing exhibitions in the Neil Britton Art Gallery to live theatre productions and vocal and instrumental concerts in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center — and now with the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art calling our campus home — the Arts at Batten U stimulate the senses and broaden the liberal arts experience.
Visual Arts
Neil Britton Art Gallery
The 1,200 square-foot Neil Britton Gallery opened in 2009 and is committed to engaging both the Coastal Virginia and University communities in the visual arts. Changing exhibitions and programs showcase the work of professional artists and students alike.
Visual and Performing Arts Academy Juried Show
Coming UpSenior Art Major Exhibit Opening Reception
Coming UpVBCPS Teaching Artist Exhibition
Barclay Sheaks Gallery
Established in 1999 and named after nationally renowned painter and founder of the Batten Art Department, the Barclay Sheaks Gallery is located in the Henry Clay Hofheimer II Library. The gallery features the University's permanent collection of Sheaks' acrylic paintings of waterfront scenes, wetlands, farmlands, and people of the Chesapeake Bay.
View the Collection
MOCA Virginia
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art has relocated to our campus, opening April 18, 2026. Batten students will have direct access to world-class contemporary art, programming, and study opportunities steps from their residence halls.
Upcoming MOCA Exhibitions
Theatre
Theatre Productions
Live theatre at Batten University goes beyond the stage. From student-directed one-act plays to full-scale productions like Shakespeare, students take an active role in every part of the process, from on stage and behind the scenes.
New productions will be announced for the fall semester.
Music
Concert Performances
Live music is a vital part of the arts experience at Batten University. Hosted in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, concerts throughout the year feature choral, jazz, and orchestral ensembles performing a wide range of styles and genres.
Upcoming Concerts
Goode Center
Your Window to the Arts
The Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center showcases the prominence of Batten University's arts program to the community with an impressive annual schedule of plays, concerts, exhibits, and special presentations.