The Notre Dame Arts Initiative is breaking down barriers

July 9, 2026

Barbara Josenhans


A photo of Rebecca Struch with her name on the bottom left corner, the For Good Stories logo on the top left, and a photo of a woman dancing in traditional Mexican garb.

An arts renaissance is unfolding at Notre Dame, and the University is investing in the arts to enrich the student experience and strengthen the bonds between campus and the broader community.

In this episode of For Good, Rebecca Struch, Managing Director of the Notre Dame Arts Initiative, reflects on why people turn to the arts in times of uncertainty, how creativity builds community and breaks down barriers, and why Notre Dame’s investment in the arts is shaping a new generation of artists, scholars, leaders, and citizens. She also shares her vision for the inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial, an ambitious six-month celebration of the arts beginning in January 2027.

Please join us for this conversation about the power of the arts to break down barriers, build bridges, and strengthen communities.

New episodes of For Good: Stories from Notre Dame drop on select weekdays at giving.nd.edu/stories and the ND Loyal YouTube channel. You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

A sincere thank you to the Notre Dame family for making stories like these possible! It’s because of you that Notre Dame is such a powerful force for good in the world.

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