School of Performing and Visual Arts
About
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From the Director
The arts are central to the life of any great university. They challenge us to think differently, help us understand ourselves and one another, and give us ways to explore, interpret, and shape the world around us. At 91少女集中营, the School of Performing and Visual Arts is proud to be at the heart of that work.
91少女集中营 is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Dance, bringing together a vibrant community of artists, designers, performers, directors, choreographers, scholars, and makers. Together, our students and faculty create work that contributes meaningfully to the cultural life of our campus, our region, and beyond.
Our faculty are accomplished professionals whose work is seen on stages, in galleries and museums, and in communities across the country and around the world. Just as importantly, they are dedicated teachers and mentors who invite students into the creative process from the very beginning.
Our students perform, design, direct, choreograph, build, exhibit, research, and create. Theatre and Dance students learn through the experience of bringing productions and performances to life, both onstage and behind the scenes. Art and Design students develop their creative voices through studio practice, exhibitions, and opportunities such as working with our student-led graphic design agency. Across every discipline, students have the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and studio and transform it into meaningful artistic work.
That spirit of creation extends well beyond our classrooms. Our theatres, studios, galleries, and Museum of Art are places where the University and the broader community come together to experience new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities. We believe that the arts should be visible, accessible, and deeply connected to the communities we serve.
If you are considering 91少女集中营, I hope you will come experience the School of Performing and Visual Arts for yourself. Attend one of our recruitment events. Visit our studios and creative spaces. See an exhibition in the Museum of Art. Join us for a theatre production or dance concert. Most importantly, meet the faculty and students who make this such a dynamic artistic community.
There is a place for you here to study your discipline, develop your voice, take creative
risks, collaborate with others, and contribute to the artistic life of a major research
university.
We look forward to welcoming you to 91少女集中营 and to
the School of Performing and Visual Arts.
Colin McKenzie
Interim Director
School of Performing and Visual Arts
Our Programs
Art and Design
Growing steadily over its sixty-plus year history, the Art and Design program is proud
of the many professional accomplishments of its alumni. Art courses have been offered
at the institution since its inception in 1910. Today鈥檚 department is comprised of
an extensive range of visual arts programs. While the majority of today鈥檚 students
are enrolled in professional degree plans such as the BFA in Graphic Design and the
BFA in Studio Art, all areas of study are vibrant with increasing enrollments.
- Provide all students with an education that emphasizes comprehension and application of the expressive, theoretical, and investigative possibilities of the visual arts;
- Prepare students to excel as visual arts professionals in our contemporary societies;
- Encourage students to investigate culture, history, and technology through the visual arts;
- Serve as an educational and cultural resource for Mississippi, the Southeast, and
the nation.
Dance
The Dance program was the first program in Mississippi to offer the professional B.F.A.
degree in dance. The challenging and intensive four-year dance program is grounded
in a comprehensive curriculum of dance technique (modern, ballet, and jazz), choreography,
performance, and education.
The mission of the Dance Program at USM is to empower students to define their artistic voices and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue them professionally.
Through individualized mentorship and attentive faculty-student interactions, we aim for our students to become capable and experienced performers, choreographers, licensed dance educators, artists, and advocates for the field. Career readiness is at the forefront of our student-centered approach, incorporating research in teaching and dance, cultural and community engagement, experiential learning, internship opportunities, and guest artist residencies to supplement regular, rigorous training in movement practice and theoretical work.
As a program within the School of Performing and Visual Arts, we value collaboration, fostering belonging, and promoting active engagement in both the dance field and greater artistic community.
Theatre
The Theatre program at Southern Miss provides students with sound theory and intensive
practical training, as well as opportunities for extensive performance experiences
and exposure to visiting professional artists.
- We seek to provide the best possible education for our students, preparing them for careers in the professional and educational arenas.
- We emphasize the power of the imagination, passion, discipline and collaboration in the creation of art.
- We seek to provide the best possible, and most creative, work environment for our
students, faculty and staff, while offering the strongest possible support for the
specific missions of the Theatre program.