The University of Toledo

Dean's Greeting

As founding Dean, it is my pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the students, faculty, staff and alumni to the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA).

The College website is designed to assist you with information on our activities, events, and academic programs. The College proudly houses the Departments of Art, Music, and Theatre and Film. The CVPA Department of Art is accredited by the National Schools of Art and Design and the Department of Music Department, by the National Association of Schools of Music. We offer seven bachelor's degrees, a Bachelor and Master of Art Education and Music Education and a Master of Music Performance.

The college is located on two campuses, the Main Campus where you will find the newly renovated Center for the Performing Arts and the museum campus, where the Frank Gehry designed, Center for the Visual Arts is adjacent to the Toledo Museum of Art. Both faculty and students in the college are practicing artists who regularly perform and exhibit locally, regionally, and nationally. Faculty scholars and artists are internationally active as well. The College shares rewarding partnerships with the Toledo Museum of Art, The Toledo Symphony Orchestra, The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, and the Glacity Theatre Collective, as well as other colleges and departments throughout the University.

In October, we celebrated the re-dedication of the Center for Performing Arts, after more than $2 million in renovations and improvements. The renovated CPA offers major improvements, including additional classroom, lab, storage and gathering spaces, and a more spacious lobby. New sound and teaching equipment was also part of the renovation.

The Recital Hall received a rebuilt stage, new seating, carpeting and new acoustical treatments. Two theatres were remodeled, and the band and choral rehearsal spaces were enlarged as well. In addition, the theatre backstage area and scene shop were rebuilt. Office and lobby areas also were revamped, creating a vibrant meeting place for students and audiences. Computer equipment was replaced and a new digital editing lab was created for the video area.

All departments in the College continue to sponsor internationally renowned visiting artists, scholars and performers. William Wellborn recently graced the stage of the CPA Recital Hall as guest pianist in the Department of Music's Dorothy MacKenzie Price Piano Series. Internationally recognized and award-winning artist, educator and writer, Deborah Bright, from the Rhode Island School of Design, delivered her keynote address, Destruction Layer at the Landscape and Reclamation symposium sponsored by the Department of Art.

On the local scene, the Department of Theatre and Film presented a contemporary interpretation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, one of his best-known comedies, at the Valentine Theater. Alumni enjoyed a wine and hors d'oeuvre reception before the opening night performance.

The College will continue to offer many exciting and engaging arts activities and events throughout the academic year. We hope to see you at our upcoming CVPA sponsored offerings, whether you are looking for an exhibition, lecture series, theatrical production, film series or concert.

I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, please join us.