{"id":17208,"date":"2023-09-05T09:52:20","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T14:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/?p=17208"},"modified":"2023-09-05T16:43:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T21:43:18","slug":"a-year-of-innovation-and-expansion-school-of-performance-visualization-and-fine-arts-celebrates-first-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pvfa.tamu.edu\/news\/2023\/09\/05\/a-year-of-innovation-and-expansion-school-of-performance-visualization-and-fine-arts-celebrates-first-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"A Year Of Innovation And Expansion: School Of Performance, Visualization And Fine Arts Celebrates First Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts<\/a> opened its doors a year ago, aiming to provide a new emphasis on the intersection of arts and technology at Texas A&M University. By bringing together three programs \u2014 Dance Science<\/a>, Performance Studies<\/a> and Visualization<\/a> \u2014 the school has created a foundation in which the arts can flourish on campus like never before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the school celebrates its first anniversary this month, the spirit of innovation and expansion is strong, according to Tim McLaughlin, interim dean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe range of accomplishments in this first year, setting the stage for our future growth, has been incredible to see,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been involved in many big projects in my career, both in industry and at this university, but I\u2019ve never been a part of such sustained commitment to a vision over such a wide range of initiatives. The level of enthusiasm and support on campus, from our alumni and our community, has sent a clear message that this school is doing things A&M needs, and we\u2019re doing it at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth has been a constant within the new school. Plans for a new building to house the school are in the works, in addition to discussions about an official home for Texas A&M esports. The Texas Legislature appropriated $25 million to launch the Virtual Production Institute, housed in the new school with facilities and programs both on the main campus in Bryan-College Station and at Texas A&M-Fort Worth. The school is developing extensions of its academic, research and creative works programs for the Fort Worth campus as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student enrollment is up in Year Two, according to early fall numbers, as is staffing. Sixty-three faculty members were on board in fall 2022. That has increased to 76 a year later. Eleven staff members were present at the start, and that number has jumped to 23. The number of support staff members from other university divisions has increased from four to 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McLaughlin recently brought new faculty and staff members hired in the past year onstage during an all-school meeting at Geren Auditorium to illustrate the school\u2019s swift growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt felt like there were as many new faculty and staff onstage as there were original members from a year ago still seated,\u201d he said. \u201cI think everyone, new and old, was surprised at the scale of growth and the energy that\u2019s come with it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The curriculum has expanded as well. Additional undergraduate and graduate degrees are being developed. A Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Science was recently approved, providing more focus on dance education and wellness, physical therapy and occupational therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six new minors<\/a> \u2014 choreography, dance performance, devised theatre, graphic design, music technology and studio art \u2014 have been introduced, joining film and media studies, game design and development, and performance studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The school brought numerous events to campus and the Bryan-College Station community in Year One, including Venture<\/a>, a week of performances in the Rudder complex in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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