2018 2018: CVPA curriculum re-envisioned

The College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) has re-envisioned its art curriculum to better prepare students to succeed in this hyper-connected, visual society.

CVPA merged six departments into three to ensure that students have access to a broad curriculum that integrates creative disciplines. The new departments are Art Education, Art History & Media Studies; Art & Design; and Music.

This department restructure has been complemented with redesigned undergraduate programs and new programs. Leading the re-visioning was former CVPA Dean David Klamen, who is now dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Indiana University Northwest. Professor Laura Franz, who is currently serving as Interim Dean of CVPA, worked closely with Klamen and a team of CVPA faculty to develop and implement these changes. The new curriculum was approved by NASAD, the accrediting agency for CVPA.

The remodeled programs, introduced in fall 2018, include

• fusing three BFA degrees into a single BFA in Art & Design
• redesigning Art & Design undergraduate studio curricula to allow students to concentrate in their area of interest while taking advantage of interdisciplinary experiences
• creating a new concentration in Integrated Studio Arts

CVPA has experienced a 58 percent surge in first-year students over last year. In addition, the College is welcoming more than 100 Mount Ida College sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will be finishing their academic programs in a number of disciplines, including Fashion Design and Interior Architecture and Design.

The work continues this year as CVPA creates new concentrations based on the Mount Ida teach-out programs and develops more minors that foster interdisciplinary studies so CVPA students can make connections across the University and build on the newly approved Social Practice curriculum.

More information

• College of Visual & Performing Arts
• CVPA academic programs