College of Visual and Performing Arts

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Rachel Marie-Clare Williams, Ph.D., Dean
Artis Center 303, (540) 831-5265

Donna Shelton Oliver,
Associate Director of Advising
Young Hall 313A, (540) 831-6903

Sean Kotz, CVPA Communications Officer
Artis Center 318C, (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 five academic departments, and the Art Museum.  The academic departments are:

Art  
Dance  
Design  
Music  
Theatre and Cinema  

Radford University Art Museum and Galleries

Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts
The Tyler Gallery
The Artis Center Gallery, AC 302

Theresa Rykaczewski, Museum Manager
(540) 831-5754

The Radford University Art Museum is located in the Covington Center. Satellite exhibition spaces include exhibition spaces on campus in the Artis Center (302) and Tyler Gallery. 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.

Programs

To graduate with a minor, a student must have a 2.0 or higher GPA in all courses required for the minor, and should be officially registered for the minor at least one semester prior to graduation. Courses used to fulfill major or minor requirements cannot be used to fulfill concentrations or option requirements within Interdisciplinary Studies.

• Creative Arts and Design Minor (E)

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