Arts News - Performing & Visual Arts

Vol. 4, Issue 1

Notes from the Dean

The 2007-08 academic year has been filled with outstanding programs and presentations by our faculty and students. As you will see in this issue of Arts News, even more wonderful events are coming to our campus and community in the next few months. The variety and scope of the arts at SUU makes a substantial contribution to the quality of life in our community; I am continually impressed with the imagination and dedication of everyone in our college involved in bringing over 75 events to our stages, lecture halls and the gallery each year.

Another View of CPVA

We have several new academic programs in the planning stages as well as a bold vision for future arts facilities on our campus. Many of these initiatives are driven by student demand and the growth of the college. This fall we experienced record numbers of majors in our departments and enrollment increased by over 20% from previous years. Since the fall semester of 2004 the total number of majors in the college has increased by over 17%. Of course with all this growth comes the challenge of keeping the kind of personalized education environment we all pride ourselves on delivering. Balancing growth with available resources is a constant challenge we face at SUU and in the College of Performing and Visual Arts.

Major Goals for the Year Ahead

This year we have identified several major goals we will be striving to complete by year-end. These include:

Developing a new Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) academic degree program in Interior Design, a new Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre, with emphases in classical acting, design and technology or musical theatre, a new Bachelor of Music degree (BM), and a new Bachelor of Music in Education degree (BMEd);
Seeking additional space for a new music technology laboratory, as well as spaces for an additional art studio and theatre rehearsals;
Planning for a future Center for the Arts on the campus to
house new performance, rehearsal, classroom, studio and gallery spaces for the college;
Continuing to raise funds for scholarship support for Art & Design, Music, and Theatre Arts & Dance.

For the full listing of our goals for the years ahead, please visit our website.

Thank you again for your continued support of the work of our faculty and students. I look forward to seeing you at our events this year. Best wishes.

Bill Byrnes, Dean