College of Visual and Performing Arts

Margaret Devaney, Dean
Trinkle Hall 162, (540) 831-5265

Donna Shelton Oliver,
Advising Director
Porterfield 243, (540) 831-6903

Dana Trask, Assistant Advising Director
Porterfield 243, (540) 831-5348

Jason Hutchens, CVPA Communications Officer
Porterfield 237, (540) 831-6237

The College of Visual and Performing Arts seeks to provide comprehensive professional and liberal arts education for students in the disciplines of dance, fashion, interior design, music, theatre and cinema and the visual arts; to serve the educational needs of all Radford students by providing comprehensive opportunities and experiences in the arts and design; to enrich the artistic and cultural environment of the university, western Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and beyond; and to make significant artistic contributions in the disciplines of dance, fashion, interior design, music, theatre, and the visual arts.

Departmental curricula address the needs of students seeking careers in the arts as teachers, designers, therapists, practitioners, and performers. These same courses of study may be modified to combine study in the arts with a number of other major disciplines. In addition, each department offers courses and performance opportunities that encourage participation by students wishing to go beyond their established degree requirements.

The faculty members of the college maintain active professional lives as performers, artists, designers and scholars. Visits by nationally and internationally renowned guest artists and scholars provide an added dimension to the educational experiences offered through the CVPA. Students have many opportunities to work with and learn from these professionals.

Internship programs are an integral part of many College of Visual and Performing Arts degree requirements. In addition to the usual student teaching component required of all education majors, programs in art, dance and music education involve students in extensive field experiences prior to their senior year of study. Music therapy students are involved in field training as well as a six-month internship. Music business students also are involved in field training and have an eight-week internship. Students in Fashion Design & Interior Design experience a required internship in professional settings. Graphic Design students may spend one semester in professional studios and firms in order to apply skills and techniques developed in the classroom. The College of Visual and Performing Arts is composed of three academic departments, one school, the Art Museum, and the adjacent Corinna de la Burdé Sculpture Court. The academic departments and schools are:

Art 
Design 
Music 
School of Dance and Theatre  

Academic Advising

Academic Advising and Development Center
Porterfield Hall 243
(540) 831-6903

The primary purpose of academic advising in the College of Visual and Performing Arts is to encourage students to develop a meaningful educational plan compatible with their life and career goals. In the college, faculty advisors and the Advising and Development Center staff are available to assist students in: exploring educational and career options; clarifying university and departmental requirements; selecting appropriate courses; evaluating academic progress; and obtaining referral information for academic and student support services. The student has ultimate responsibility for making decisions about his or her educational plans and for meeting the requirements of academic programs.

Students are encouraged to make and keep regular advising appointments; plan class schedules in conjunction with their advisor; and monitor their progress towards completion of their degree program.

Radford University Art Museum

Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts
Steve Arbury, Director
Kim Cochran, Registrar
(540) 831-5754

The Radford University Art Museum is located in the Covington Center. Satellite exhibition spaces include Gallery 205 in Porterfield Hall and the de la Burdé Sculpture Court outside Porterfield Hall, and two other exhibition spaces on campus in Muse and Tyler Halls. The museum serves the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the university and the broader community as an educational and cultural resource through an active exhibition program featuring student work, faculty work, and visiting artists. Students interested in museum careers can enroll in Art History and Museum Studies courses offered through the Department of Art.