Explore Writing in the Arts
At Texas A&M UniversityWriting is at the heart of artistic expression and critical analysis. Students in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts have the opportunity to develop their writing abilities with the expertise of our accomplished faculty.
Fostering Analytical Abilities and Creative Expression
Our instructors in Performance and Visual Studies have had their work published extensively. This includes a dozen scholarly books on topics from popular music and television to state affairs, diplomacy and ecology, along with a wide range of social issues.
The program focuses on five academic fields: performance studies; art history; film and media studies; sound studies; and ethnomusicology. This includes cultural objects, practices and performances to understand how social, aesthetic and historical conditions shape human expression and experience.
We prepare students to pursue a broad range of career paths that value writing and the ability to analyze the history and cultural context of art. This includes positions in cultural institutions such as museums; intercultural industries such as tourism; and in media/marketing fields such as art criticism and corporate communications.
Through storytelling, communication, research and analysis, writing plays a significant role throughout the arts. It is a core element of music (notes and lyrics); theatre and film (scripts and dialogue); dance (choreographic ideation and critiquing performance); and visualization (storyboarding and character-building).
Our students become equipped to succeed through creative expression, building writing and critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their careers or in continuing their academic training.
Undergraduate Degrees
Dance Science
Bachelor of ScienceThe Bachelor of Science degree focuses on dance research, anatomy, conditioning, safe dance practice, psychological wellness and technique courses focused on proper biomechanics.
Music Performance
Bachelor of Fine ArtsThe Bachelor of Fine Arts offers a comprehensive grounding in music, while emphasizing the intersections of music with other art forms such as dance, theatre, game design and the visual arts.
Performance & Visual Studies
Bachelor of ArtsThe Bachelor of Arts degree enhances students’ critical thinking, analytical abilities and writing skills. It equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the performing and visual arts.
Theatre
Bachelor of Fine ArtsThe Bachelor of Fine Arts degree trains students in the skills necessary to stage new and original theatrical works and to be creative and independent agents. The program prepares students to manage the planning, design, preparation and production of theatrical works.
Visualization
Bachelor of ScienceThe Bachelor of Science in Visualization integrates technical prowess with visual artistry. Students become technical artists through studio-based classes that integrate fine arts, three-dimensional design and digital technology.
As scholars, we are interested in what art reveals about society and the human experience. Our students engage in scholarly research and learn to understand the world better by looking closely at various art forms (from contemporary dance to immersive installations) and media (including film, TV, radio and live performance). Writing in the arts is about expanding our analytical, interpretive and creative skills and making a meaningful contribution to the art world and beyond.
Graduate Degrees
The Master of Fine Arts in Dance focuses on individual and collaboration in movement practice, choreography, dance research and teaching. Students develop expertise in choreography and performance with a specialization in technology.
The Master of Arts degree is built around a multifaceted understanding of performance. The program bridges scholarship and practice, ranging from applying qualitative research methods to transmitting knowledge through performance.
The Master of Fine Arts in Visualization teaches students to visually communicate their ideas through digital and analog mediums. Our interdisciplinary curriculum encourages the development of new technologies and creative applications.
The Master of Science in Visualization develops the creative, scientific, cognitive and technical foundations of visual artistry. The program prepares students for careers as industry professionals and innovative leaders in design.
The Ph.D. program is a multidisciplinary initiative designed to facilitate advanced study in both theoretical and practical dimensions, addressing complex computational challenges in various forms of visual communication.
In the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Keep Exploring
Students interested in the art and science of dance can thrive at Texas A&M University. Our faculty don’t just teach students how to be great performers. We use anatomy, psychology, wellness, current research and safe dance practices to keep them dancing longer and healthier.
We offer a bold, one-of-a-kind experience in musical education. Our accomplished faculty helps students to discover their artistic voice while mastering the foundations of music. This is the place to transform your passion into powerful, original performance.
With an emphasis on devised theatre, our faculty members help students create original works and build broad expertise in the skills necessary to collaboratively develop and mount theatrical productions.
From animation to video game design, virtual reality to virtual production, we offer the opportunity to explore the creation and development of the visual experience by learning the equal importance of art, technology, science and design.
Technology is deeply rooted in our mission, giving our students a foundation in innovation and expertise in digital literacy. Computational methods are the building blocks that make this possible, and are used throughout all of our disciplines.