Fine Arts

Fund the Arts at Central College

Central’s art, music and theatre programs offer students wonderful opportunities for professional and artistic growth. 

With diverse course options, exciting performance opportunities and local and international learning experiences, our Fine Arts programs offer so much to majors and non-majors alike. 

Give to your favorite fine arts program or ensemble to make a difference today.

Art ProgramSymphonic Wind Ensemble
Music ProgramCentral Choirs
Musical Theatre ProgramFlying Pans Steel Drum Ensemble
Theatre Program

Restore a Piece of Central History

Central College has sought to restore Douwstra Auditorium's organ ever since the building’s last renovation in 1984. With the support of our donors, we are closer than ever to making that dream a reality.

We have plans for a new, handcrafted pipe organ by world-renowned organ builder Casavant Frères of Canada. The new organ will fill the auditorium with incredible sound and elegant beauty that harmonizes with the hall’s state-of-the-art acoustics and renovated interior design. 

Before that can happen, Central needs another collaborator: You! Help bring the king of instruments back to the center of Central’s campus and help give voice to campus concerts and celebrations for generations to come. Support the next phase of Douwstra Auditorium Renovations.

Help Spread the Central Spirit!

Hoo-Rah Day is all about bringing the Central community together. Help us celebrate by reaching out to your Central friends and mentors. Share Central-themed photos of your kids, pets or Central memories on social media. Snap a photo with our Hoo-Rah Day poster or download a Big Red coloring sheet. Share this link – hoorah.central.edu – with #HoorahDay and encourage your family and friends to join the celebration. Thank you and Go Dutch!

Post on social with #hoorahday!
Give Now
Early Donor Challenge - $10,000
$10,000
Early Donor Challenge - $10,000
When 50 donors donate early to Hoo-Rah Day, a $10,000 gift will be unlocked! Thank you to our generous, anonymous donor for funding this match.
19 / 50 Donors
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Total Donor Challenge - $50,000
$10,000
Total Donor Challenge - $50,000
Each time we reach 80 donors, we’ll unlock $10,000 for the Journey Scholarship. Just by participating, you’ll help unlock up to $50,000 for the Journey Scholarship Fund! Show us your Dutch spirit by sharing this page with your Central friends! This challenge is sponsored by: Tom DeVries '73, Mike Main '87, Paul ’83 and Nancy Thies Van Farowe ’86, Mike '93 and Myndi Amdor Van Voorst '95, Dale '69 and Eileen Miller Vander Wilt '70 and other anonymous donors.
19 / 80 Donors
Give Now
Iowa Challenge – $20,000
$20,000
Iowa Challenge – $20,000
When 150 Iowa residents participate in Hoo-Rah Day with a gift of ANY size, $20,000 will be unlocked for the Journey Scholarship Fund! Generously sponsored by: Dixie and Will Hoekman '67, Penny and Steve Sikkink '83, Scott and Cindy Van Tasell, Marlena Wichart '61 and other anonymous donors.
12 / 150 Donors
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Double Dutch Challenge - $5,000
$5,000
Double Dutch Challenge - $5,000
Central couple Dave '86 and Kristi Jaarsma Balk '88 love Central. That’s why they (along with other anonymous donors) are challenging other Central couples to give back this #HooRahDay! When 30 Central couples participate, a $5,000 gift will be unlocked for the Journey Scholarship Fund!
3 / 30 Donors
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Parents Challenge - $5,000
$5,000
Parents Challenge - $5,000
Central parents are some of the most loyal people we know. When 30 Central parents -- current or past donate -- a $5,000 challenge will be unlocked for the Journey Scholarship Fund! Generously sponsored by past parents Steve and Kara Kohler Hoogensen '96 and other anonymous donors.
6 / 30 Donors
Give Now
Inspired by Faculty Challenge - $10,000
$10,000
Inspired by Faculty Challenge - $10,000
Was your gift inspired by an outstanding faculty member (past or present) who nurtured or expanded your personal learning at Central? Alumni provide a wealth of "gee-whiz" stories about professors who defined their Central experience with their personal dedication and extraordinary acts of kindness. Faculty are one of Central's great resources and embody the spirit of the College. To honor these individuals, when 25 gifts are made in honor of a faculty member, the challenge will be unlocked! This added donation is sponsored by Rich ’62 and Mary Roorda Glendening ’62 and Darin '87 and Teresa Brown Messerli '87 along with other anonymous donors.
2 / 25 Donors
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Presidents' Challenge - $10,000
$10,000
Presidents' Challenge - $10,000
Central College President, Mark Putnam, along with his wife Tammy and Central College Student Body President Savannah Sexton '25 are challenging current and former Student Senate members to donate to this challenge, to unlock the President's Challenge --we need 25 gifts to unlock the President's Challenge.
3 / 25 Donors
Leaderboard
Class Participation Challenge - $15,000
Can your graduating class year end Hoo-Rah Day on top? The top three participating class years will have a Journey Scholarship dedicated in their honor! Generously sponsored by: Barb and Tom Gaard '61, Dan '04, Jon '00 and Mike '96 Huitink, and Thad '80 and Teresa Andersen Scarrow '81 along with other anonymous donors.
What is your class year?
Rank Answer Donors
1 1999 2
2 2009 1
3 1971 1
4 2016 1
5 1991 1
6 2001 1
7 1995 1
8 1993 1
9 1970 1
10 2013 1
11 1988 1
Give Now
Instagram Challenge - $5,000
Event
Instagram Challenge - $5,000
Share a photo of your favorite Central memory or of you rocking your Central gear today. 15 story tags unlocks $5,000 for student scholarships! Thank you to Scott '03 and Abby Koch Schmailzl '04 and other generous donors.
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Facebook Challenge - $5,000
Event
Facebook Challenge - $5,000
Ready for a challenge? Share your favorite Central memory or a photo in your Central gear in the comments on this post. Once we have 10 comments with a Central memory or photo, $5,000 will be unlocked for student scholarships! Thank you to John '87 and Julie Pothoven Fisher '90 along with other anonymous donors.
Don't forget to share!

Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at development@central.edu.

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Help us unlock a $20,000 reward!