Mr. A. Blake Pearce, Dean
Room 2004, Fine Arts Building
Mr. Michael T. Schmidt, Associate Dean
Room 2064A, Fine Arts Building
Mr. Hollis Barnett
Interim Head, Department of Art and Design
Dr. Mark G. Borzi
Head, Department of Communication Arts
Dr. Douglas G. Farwell
Head, Department of Music
The Valdosta State University College of the Arts includes the Department of Art and Design, the Department of Communication Arts, and the Department of Music. The organization of the disciplines of the performing and visual arts into one academic unit reflects a traditional and continuing commitment to scholarship in the fine arts.
The College of the Arts offers graduate degree programs with majors in communication and music education in cooperation with the College of Education and Human Services. The graduate faculty members of the College of the Arts maintain the strong belief that their teaching role is a significant aspect of their professional life. Arts faculty members also maintain a strong commitment to scholarly and creative research as well as service to the institution, region, and their profession.
The mission of the College of the Arts centers on the preparation of professionals for a variety of roles in the arts. At the graduate level, the Master of Arts in Communication degree program prepares students for study at the doctoral level and for advancement in their professional fields. The Master of Music Education program prepares teachers in these disciplines to be leaders in their schools and provide substantial learning for the students in their care. The Master of Music Performance is a 36-semester-hour, non-thesis master’s degree program intended to further the musical and academic skills of accomplished musicians.
The College of the Arts provides numerous cultural and artistic opportunities for students including theater, dance, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, jazz band, media production, and art exhibitions. The college is also home to VSU-TV, the University’s cable-access channel. The Valdosta State University College of the Arts is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Music, the National Association of Schools of Theater, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
