The Biggs Museum of American Art and Delaware State University today announced a new pilot program that will bring a co-branded series of monthly arts and cultural programs to the Schwartz Center for the Arts, strengthening downtown Dover as a destination for community connection.

Running from July 2026 through March 2027, the series will introduce a dynamic mix of performances and programs at the Schwartz, a university-owned venue with the capacity to welcome larger audiences and new types of cultural experiences.

In the last two years, Delaware State University has completed key improvements to the Schwartz Center, including a new HVAC system, upgraded sound and lighting systems, and refreshed carpeting, along with additional enhancements throughout the building. These updates preserve the venue’s historic character while introducing the modern functionality needed to support high-quality performances, public programs, and community events.

The partnership pairs Delaware State University’s stewardship of the Schwartz Center with The Biggs’ dynamic programming.

“The Schwartz Center is an important part of Delaware State University’s commitment to Dover and to expanding access to the arts,” said Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University. “By opening this space to new partnerships and programming, we’re creating more opportunities for the community to gather, experience culture, and connect.”

The series will present a wide range of programming, including lectures, live music, dance, film, and comedy, creating new opportunities for audiences to experience the arts across disciplines. Additional details, including specific programs and event schedules, will be announced in the coming months. Tickets will be available on the Museum’s website at www.theBiggsMuseum.org

“This pilot represents an exciting next step in how we serve our community,” added Hassan Najjar, executive director of the Biggs Museum of American Art. “By expanding our programming into the Schwartz Center, we’re building on strong momentum and creating opportunities for audiences to experience the arts in new and meaningful ways.”

This collaboration will build on a growing history between the two institutions, including initiatives such as Biggs Band Days and the exhibition Echoes of the Storm, as well as well-attended public programs like Andrew Wyeth: Then and Now, a lecture by Victoria Wyeth, and Our Brains on the Arts: How Community Arts Transform Us, featuring New York Times bestselling author Susan Magsamen.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment that has been building over time,” noted Wilma Mishoe, president of the Biggs Museum of American Art Board of Trustees and former president of Delaware State University.  “I’ve seen the strength of each institution firsthand and the opportunity that exists when they come together. The Schwartz Center offers a powerful platform for that collaboration to take shape in ways that benefit the entire community.”

Both The Biggs and Delaware State University play key roles in Dover’s cultural and civic life. This collaboration reflects a shared investment in a more active and connected downtown, where the arts contribute to daily life and local vitality.

Ahead of the full launch, on June 25, The Biggs will debut a spring preview event at the Schwartz Center, offering an early look at the possibilities of the partnership. Art Crime Uncovered: A Conversation with Laura Evans and Robert Wittman will explore the world of art crime through the perspectives of a leading expert and a former FBI Special Agent, offering audiences a rare look into the investigation, protection, and recovery of cultural heritage through firsthand accounts from the field.

The official pilot will launch with Echoes of Freedom: An Operatic Reflection on 250 Years, presented in partnership with OperaDelaware on July 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This powerful performance brings together music and storytelling to explore American history through themes of freedom, resilience, and identity, creating an immersive experience in the heart of downtown Dover.

Designed to support a growing cultural ecosystem, the partnership aims to attract visitors from across the region while serving local residents and supporting surrounding businesses. By increasing both the frequency and scale of programming, the initiative is intended to contribute to a more active and economically resilient downtown.

Echoes of Freedom: An Operatic Reflection on 250 Years

July 23, 5:30-7:30 PM

Three voices. Two hundred fifty years. One unbroken American song.

OperaDelaware and The Biggs Museum present an evening that traces the American voice from spirituals through Puccini, Gershwin, and Sondheim, performed by soprano Toni Marie Palmertree, bass-baritone Justin Hopkins, and tenor Dane Suarez. The program moves from Sullivan Ballou’s Civil War letter to the wide-open promise of South Pacific’s “Some Enchanted Evening,” from Susannah’s Appalachian heartbreak to Candide’s closing call to “Make Our Garden Grow.”

The American story has always been told by its artists. Experience the music on July 23, 2026, at The Schwartz.

Athletic Transformation: The Intersection of Culture, Art, and Sport

August 27, 5:30-7:30 PM

Join us for Athletic Transformation: The Intersection of Culture, Art, and Sport, an engaging conversation exploring the connections between cultural identity, creative expression, and athletics. This forum brings together athletes, coaches, educators, and community members to discuss how sport reflects shared culture, inspires artistic expression, and fosters growth, leadership, wellness, teamwork, opportunity, and positive change within our communities.

Participants will explore how sports build shared culture, fostering traditions, local pride, and connection across diverse communities through a common love of play and competition. The forum will also address the changing landscape of youth athletics, including rising competitiveness and commercialization, and consider how we can preserve core values such as sportsmanship, access, joy, and personal development as the field continues to evolve.

This event will include a panel discussion, Q&A session, and small reception to follow program.

Capital Jazz Showcase

September 24, 5:30-7:30 PM

Join us for the Dover Jazz Showcase, a vibrant three-hour celebration of music, creativity, and community featuring performances by three outstanding local student ensembles alongside a featured headliner. Guests can enjoy an evening of live jazz while experiencing a dynamic atmosphere that also includes live painting, bringing visual art and music together in real time.

Food and drinks will be available throughout the event, making this a relaxed and engaging night out for all ages. Come support local student talent, enjoy an exceptional performance, and experience the energy of jazz in full color