Art
The College has a large collection of portraits (see the catalogue of portraits of past members).
Holywell Manor, at the heart of Balliol's Graduate Centre, is fast gaining a reputation for housing an impressive collection of art (both paintings and sculpture, including work by Maxim Kantor and George Rickey).
From time to time there is an undergraduate art exhibition in College.
Music
Music flourishes at Balliol. We have a long-standing Musical Society which, uniquely in Oxford, organizes series of Sunday evening concerts that are free and open to all. Many famous names have performed in the series over the years.
There are also tea-time concerts by members of the College, and an active College Choir (to inquire about joining, please contact the Organ Scholar).
We have a music practice room and a Steinway grand piano available for concerts. Beyond Balliol, the University offers many orchestras, chamber, and choral groups.
Drama
Oxford is well known for the quality of its drama. Student productions are staged in a variety of venues, including the Oxford Playhouse.
Balliol is one of the few colleges to have its own purpose-built studio theatre – the Michael Pilch Studio – which is in our new Jowett Walk Building. The College Drama Society fosters dramatic talent at all levels.
Some Balliol students produce, direct, or play leading roles in big University shows, while others limit their ambitions to college productions. No experience necessary!