How do you see music and dance? Share your vision through the Colburn School Arkatov Photography Contest!

For more than seven decades, the Colburn School has been a home for developing performing artists where creativity in all its forms is nurtured. The visual arts and performing arts are deeply connected as complementary creative pursuits, and the School has a long history of showcasing art on campus to inspire and uplift the community.

The Colburn School is privileged to be the home of an extraordinary James Arkatov photography collection. A celebrated cellist and gifted photographer, he used his camera to create intimate portraits of legendary artists such as Isaac Stern, Igor Stravinsky, Sir Thomas Beecham, Gregor Piatigorsky, and Yo-Yo Ma, among many others.

In honor of Arkatov’s photographic legacy, the School is sponsoring the 2026 Arkatov Photography Contest to capture and celebrate the personal, human view of the performing arts in still images. Prizes will be awarded to winners in two categories: External Photographers and Colburn Students.