Department of Visual and Theatre Arts

Dr. Carol A. Eckert, Chair
201 Fine Arts Building
731-881-7897
fax 731-881-3400

Faculty

Tara Chiusano, Carol A. Eckert, Sarah E. Haig, A. Melanie Hollis, Lane E. Last, Phillip W. Male, Sarah V. McCormick, James C. Palmer, Jason T. Stout, M. Sylvia Weintraub, Jason Woolery

Mission

The mission of the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts is to provide educational, artistic and cultural opportunities for the students of the university and the people of West Tennessee. The faculty and students serve the area through a quality undergraduate professional arts program with performances and exhibits enhancing the aesthetic and cultural awareness of the campus and region while preparing students for careers in the arts, teaching and for advanced study. The department engages in scholarly activity that fosters artistic integrity, scholarship and an appreciation for continued learning.

Student Learning Outcomes

In keeping with the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts’ primary mission, the B.F.A. degree program in Fine and Performing Arts produces graduates who:

exhibit skill and depth of application in the primary emphasis: visual art, graphic design, art education, dance education, or theatre
integrate knowledge and practice of other arts disciplines into their primary emphasis;
apply critical and analytical methodologies in their primary emphasis;
demonstrate a broad understanding of the scope of the arts and their contribution to a global society;
construct a personal aesthetic perspective.

Admission and Retention

All students enter the department through the BA degree. Students can be admitted to the B.F.A. upon successful completion of a Foundation review in their area of emphases. The Foundations reviews will be conducted by the appropriate faculty in Dance, Theatre or Visual Art and students receiving a score of 80 out of 100 or higher will be eligible to be admitted to the BFA program if they so choose. Students receiving below an 80 on the Foundation review in their area will remain in the BA and choose a minor. Any student wishing to add a minor to their degree will stay in the BA program, regardless of the score on the Foundation review.

Additional Requirements

Art, art education and graphic design AOE students will have a Capstone exhibit or present a Capstone portfolio of works during the senior level for jury by the faculty.
Theatre AOE students are expected to participate in productions of Vanguard Theatre and to achieve upper-division level skill in acting. A major production Capstone practicum or jury is required during the senior level by the faculty for graduation.
Dance Education AOE students are expected to participate in UTM Dance Ensemble concerts and to achieve upper-division level skill in dance prior to student teaching. A dance concert Capstone practicum or jury is required during the senior level by the faculty for graduation.
B.F.A. majors are required to participate in the enrichment opportunities which are available in the arts. These include the music, theatre and dance performances, art exhibits and other events presented by faculty and students.
In addition to Visual and Theatre Arts departmental advising, students interested in Art and Dance Education are asked to please see the Office of Educator Preparation Program in the College of Education, Health, and Behavioral Sciences’ section for admission guidelines and licensure information.

Facilities

The Fine Arts Building is a recently renovated and redesigned facility which provides teaching, studio, and performance spaces for visual art, dance, theatre and music programs. Facilities for visual art include six spacious studios, a graphic design lab, an additional supplemental computer lab, the Fine Arts Gallery and a number of other teaching and support areas. Facilities for theatre and dance include the 350-seat Harriet Fulton Performing Arts Theatre, the Vanguard Little Theatre, several support spaces, including a scene shop, costume shop, scenery and prop storage, and dressing rooms for the production of both theatre and dance performances as well as other sponsored cultural outreach.

In addition, a spacious dance studio is located in the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center and features a floating wood floor along with mirrored walls, lighting, and sound enhancements. It is the site of student recitals as well as dance workshops and informal ensemble presentations.

Scholarships

There are seven scholarships available in the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts. Scholarships are awarded by audition or portfolio review and academic success. The Gala Scholarship is a one-year award of $1,500
given to a promising art, dance or theatre student. The William H. Snyder Visual Arts Scholarship of $1000 is awarded to a student completing the Foundation Review. The William H. Snyder Dance and Theatre Freshman Scholarship is $1000 alternately awarded an incoming Theatre or Dance Education major. The William Snyder Scholarship is a $900 award and the Joan Metheny McGraw Scholarship is a $2,500 award given annually to an outstanding major in theatre. The League of Striving Artists Achievement Scholarship is a $500 award given to an exceptional sophomore, junior, or senior art, art education, or graphic design student. The Nancy Eckert Scholarship is a $500 scholarship awarded to deserving art education students to help defer the cost of student teaching.

Student Organizations

Opportunities for membership in associated student organizations are an important part of student development. The League of Striving Artists (Art, Art Education and Graphic Design), Alpha Psi Omega (National Honor Society for Theatre), and the National Honor Society of Dance Arts support the efforts of the department and are important in the professional growth of students.