Arts
Honors 
Cords

The Arts Honors Cord program of the University of Michigan Arts Initiative is designed to recognize students who meaningfully integrated the arts into their University of Michigan experience to learn and grow as creatives, leaders, and people while studying for a graduate or undergraduate degree.

Acceptance to the Arts Honors Cord program will allow students to:

  • Receive an Arts & Creativity Honors Cord to wear for commencement

  • Be spotlighted on the U-M Arts Initiative’s social media channels or student spotlight series

  • Join an exclusive alumni network 

  • Any graduating University of Michigan student is eligible, including:

    • Undergraduates

    • Graduates

    • All 3 campuses
      (Ann Arbor, Flint, Dearborn)

  • Applications to be accepted into the program can be submitted at any time prior to graduation, but should be submitted at least one month before your commencement. 

  • Contact artshonorscords@umich.edu.

How to Qualify

To be accepted into the Excellence in Arts Honors Cord program, U-M students must participate in a variety of arts and creative activities, courses, programs, internships, jobs, or academic minors or majors during their period of study at the University of Michigan. A minimum of ten points must be earned to qualify.

  • Arts Education

    Complete a class in the arts.
    = 1 pt (Repeatable: max 3)

    Participate in an art-making workshop or program on campus.
    = 1 pt (Repeatable: max 2)

    Earn an Arts & Creativity Badge at the College of Engineering.
    = 5 pts

    Complete a major, minor, or certificate in an arts discipline.
    = 7 pts

  • Event Attendance

    Attend two UMS events or UMMA exhibitions.
    = 1 pt (Repeatable: max 2)

    Attend two or more performances by student arts organizations .
    = 1 pt (Repeatable: max 2)

    Participate in an Art Outta Town trip sponsored by the Arts Initiative.
    = 1 pt (Repeatable: max 2)

    Attend an event using the Arts Initiative’s Passport to the Arts.
    = 1 pt (Repeatable: max 2)

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If you represent a school, department or program and would like an activity considered for inclusion, contact artshonorscords@umich.edu.