Arts and Culture

A broad array of artistic, musical, and other cultural activities is available at many venues within a 120-mile radius of Albion, including the cities of Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Detroit. The Albion E-Calendar Web site provides a convenient listing of upcoming Albion events.

During the academic year, Albion College’s Bobbitt Visual Arts Center offers continuous exhibitions of works by regionally and nationally known artists and of prints from its extensive and highly regarded collection. Visit the Art Department Exhibition Schedule for current exhibition details and gallery hours.

Albion College begins each academic year with an Opening Convocation which includes the William K. Stoffer Lecture. Among the previous Stoffer Lecturers are actor James Earl Jones (2002), basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski (2003), broadcast journalist Sam Donaldson (2004), and former first lady Barbara Bush (2005). The convocation is open to the public and free of charge.

The Elkin R. Isaac Student Research Symposium, held each spring features student presentations, as well as the Joseph S. Calvaruso Keynote Address. Among the distinguished individuals who have given this lecture are: Stephen Jay Gould (2000), Doris Kearns Goodwin (2001), Kurt Vonnegut (2002), Salman Rushdie (2003), Gloria Steinem (2004), Edward O. Wilson (2005), and Regina Carter (2006). The Calvaruso Keynote Address is open to the public and free of charge.

The College’s Odd Topics Society is a monthly luncheon group that provides individuals with an opportunity to share their more unusual interests with others. In addition to these events, there are numerous other events such as a monthly faculty lecture series, brown bag seminars, and department seminars.

One of the most popular museums in the area is located in the heart of Albion: Kids ’N’ Stuff: An Interactive Experience for Kids. Kids ’N’ Stuff welcomes school groups and families from all over southern Lower Michigan who come to have fun while learning and doing. The museum features the John W. Porter World Village, a climbing wall, theatre stage with costumes, water table, interactive grocery store, music room, art facility, and much more. The museum also hosts parties and receptions for kids of all ages.

Athletics

The Albion College Britons compete in 18 varsity sports (nine each for men and women). Albion College is a member of NCAA Division III and a charter member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the oldest collegiate athletic conference in the nation founded in 1888. The varsity equestrian program for men and women participates in events sponsored by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. Albion's school colors are purple and gold. More information, including schedules, is available on the College’s sports Web site.

In addition to the NCAA Division I and II athletics programs offered at nearby universities, Michigan has numerous professional sports teams playing within a convenient drive from Albion.

Religious Institutions

There are many religious organization and houses of worship in Albion and the surrounding areas. Check out Albion Area Religious Opportunities (PDF) to find the closest one. The American Religion Data Archive has information on religious participation by denomination for Calhoun County.