The Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) brings together two Liberal Arts disciplines devoted to creative endeavors at the University: Visual Arts and Theatre. The highly trained and professionally active Arts faculty offer studio, digital, and education certification courses in Art, and technical and performing courses in Theatre. The Department offers two degrees, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Art with a concentration in Studio Art , and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree in Theatre with concentrations in Performance or Technical.  Minors in both Art and Theatre areas as well as a composite minor in Visual and Performing Arts are offered for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in other departments and colleges. The minor in Museum Studies introduces career opportunities in Conservation, Curatorial Services, Development, Fund Raising, and other museum fields through unique educational collaborations between the VPA and numerous regional arts organizations. The John T. Biggers Art Center is home to the Visual Art Program. Dr. Biggers (noted muralist, painter and griot) founded the art program in 1948 and along with Professor Carroll Harris Simms (noted ceramicist, sculptor, and jeweler) built a unique visual arts curriculum. The Biggers Art Center contains ceramic, digital art, drawing, painting, and sculpture studios that enable the creation of artwork and student growth in a secure supportive environment.  The Ollington Smith Playhouse (OSP), a 80-seat black box performance space is home to the Theatre Program. The Theatre Program was founded in 1974 by Professor Ollington Smith (noted Director and Playwright). Smith is credited with the development of a strong performing arts program. The Theatre area currently stages at least four productions per academic year.  These feature TSU students and take place in the Ollington Smith Playhouse and the larger Granville Sawyer Auditorium for TSU and local community audiences. 

Undergraduate Degree(s):

Minor(s):

• Art
• Museum Studies
• Theatre
• Visual and Performing Arts

The Mission of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts

In a focused creative environment with instruction of the highest quality, Visual and Performing Arts students will be trained to become practicing arts professionals and educators.  As Visual and Performing Arts students matriculate, creativity and intellectual curiosity will mature.

Curricular offerings are designed to provide a broad liberal arts education. Students are provided a strong undergraduate education upon which to base the pursuit of career opportunities, and advanced, or graduate study.  Faculty members in the Department are committed to providing an educational environment where aspiring visual artists, performing artists, and creatives develop an understanding and mastery of critical inquiry techniques. All VPA students gain an appreciation of the cultural, historical, and educational values of the arts.  The Department of Visual and Performing Arts is an environment where cultural awareness translates to the community and society.

Requirements for the B.A. in Art, and the B.A. in Theatre, as well as minors in each area offered through this unit, are summarized below with exact course requirements dependent upon the concentration, or minor selected. All courses designated as either major/minor, or concentration courses must be completed with grades of “C” or better.  Grades of “C-“are unacceptable.  Transfer students may substitute FS 102 Freshman Seminar/ first Year Experience with any college level course to complete the total credit hours required for graduation by their degree plan.

In considering requirements for one of the bachelor’s degrees, or one of the minors, students must:

• first be admitted by the University;
• satisfy all placement testing requirements;
• eradicate deficiencies assessed through placement test scores;
• petition the Department for admission as placement requirements are completed;
• complete preliminary requirements established by the Department for majors.

Further admission and graduation requirements for the Department are considered below. An exit examination in the content area of study is required of all graduating seniors.

Individuals interested in seeking certification for teaching in the public or private schools of Texas in academic disciplines offered through the Department should contact the Teacher Certification Officer in the College of Education at Texas Southern University for application instructions.

In petitioning the Department for admission as either a major or minor, students are required to schedule a personal interview through the Department Office.  At the time of interview, students are asked to either present an art portfolio or perform an audition as part of the procedure for admission to the Department.  Once admitted, Visual and Performing Arts majors are assigned a faculty advisor for continuous advisement. To ensure proper progression towards graduation, VPA majors and minors are required to receive advisement at least once each semester. At the beginning of the senior year, students must meet the approval of a panel of faculty members prior to enrollment in courses related to final projects, such as Senior exhibitions and performances. An exit examination is required of all graduating seniors.

Majors are expected to maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better to remain in good standing and to keep the Department Office informed of current local addresses and telephone numbers.  All majors should request that the faculty and academic advisors evaluate their transcripts during the first semester of their senior year to ascertain their graduation status and again just before applying for graduation.

For additional information, students should contact the Department Chair via email.

Art Courses

Theater Courses