One hundred and fifty years ago, the College of Visual and Performing Arts was founded upon the belief that art and scholarship can affect change. We pride ourselves on being a place where self-discovery and creative risk-taking meet critical thought and action. Our next 150 years promise to be filled with new possibilities and exceptional achievements by our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
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September 18, 1873
College of Fine Arts Opens
It is the first degree-conferring organization of its kind in the United States.
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1875
First Alumnus Graduates
Mark Marsden Maycock graduates with a bachelor of painting degree.
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1877
Department of Music Founded
It’s one of the first in the country to grant a degree in music and to require four years’ study in both music and theory.
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1887
John Crouse Funds New Building
Syracuse businessman and SU Trustee John Crouse approves plans for the building of Crouse College.
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January 1, 1888
Crouse College Construction Begins
Norcross Brothers of Worcester, Massachusetts, are the builders.
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1889
Crouse Auditorium Organ Built
A gift from John Crouse, the organ is built by Frank Roosevelt and inaugurated on June 22.
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June 3, 1889
Crouse Chimes Ring
The chimes are manufactured by Clinton H. Meneely Bell Foundry of Troy, New York, and donated by Crouse.
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September 18, 1889
Crouse College Dedicated
Although officially named the John Crouse Memorial College for Women, it is opened to both men and women and houses the College of Fine Arts.
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September 18, 1873
College of Fine Arts Opens
It is the first degree-conferring organization of its kind in the United States.
-
1877
Department of Music Founded
It’s one of the first in the country to grant a degree in music and to require four years’ study in both music and theory.
-
January 1, 1888
Crouse College Construction Begins
Norcross Brothers of Worcester, Massachusetts, are the builders.
-
June 3, 1889
Crouse Chimes Ring
The chimes are manufactured by Clinton H. Meneely Bell Foundry of Troy, New York, and donated by Crouse.
-
1875
First Alumnus Graduates
Mark Marsden Maycock graduates with a bachelor of painting degree.
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1887
John Crouse Funds New Building
Syracuse businessman and SU Trustee John Crouse approves plans for the building of Crouse College.
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1889
Crouse Auditorium Organ Built
A gift from John Crouse, the organ is built by Frank Roosevelt and inaugurated on June 22.
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September 18, 1889
Crouse College Dedicated
Although officially named the John Crouse Memorial College for Women, it is opened to both men and women and houses the College of Fine Arts.
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Crouse College on the Hill
When completed, it was the third building on campus, the first being the Hall of Languages.
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1905
Boar’s Head Founded
The Boar’s Head Dramatic Society is founded, entertaining audiences for more than 50 years.
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1910
Department of Oratory Founded
Syracuse offered one of the nation’s first academic programs devoted to the study of communication and rhetoric.
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1913
Advanced Work in Photography Offered
The University becomes the first institution in the country to pursue advanced work in photography.
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1921
School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art Formed
In 1941, the word “Public” is omitted. Pictured: 1930 Debate Team.
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1924
Crouse College Organ Rebuilt
The Estey Organ Company of Vermont retains most of the original Roosevelt pipes.
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1930
First Full Opera Is Performed
Gluck’s Orpheus was the first production in full opera form in Syracuse history.
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1936
Orchestra Makes Radio Debut
Radio broadcasts of SU activities on campus are a staple in this era.
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1937
Tenth Bell Added to Crouse College’s Chimes
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1945
College of Fine Arts Reorganized
The college is comprised of the School of Architecture, the School of Art, and the School of Music.
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Crouse College on the Hill
When completed, it was the third building on campus, the first being the Hall of Languages.
-
1910
Department of Oratory Founded
Syracuse offered one of the nation’s first academic programs devoted to the study of communication and rhetoric.
-
1921
School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art Formed
In 1941, the word “Public” is omitted. Pictured: 1930 Debate Team.
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1930
First Full Opera Is Performed
Gluck’s Orpheus was the first production in full opera form in Syracuse history.
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1937
Tenth Bell Added to Crouse College’s Chimes
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1905
Boar’s Head Founded
The Boar’s Head Dramatic Society is founded, entertaining audiences for more than 50 years.
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1913
Advanced Work in Photography Offered
The University becomes the first institution in the country to pursue advanced work in photography.
-
1924
Crouse College Organ Rebuilt
The Estey Organ Company of Vermont retains most of the original Roosevelt pipes.
-
1936
Orchestra Makes Radio Debut
Radio broadcasts of SU activities on campus are a staple in this era.
-
1945
College of Fine Arts Reorganized
The college is comprised of the School of Architecture, the School of Art, and the School of Music.
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1950
Holtkamp Organ Built
Walter Holtkamp is contracted to build a new organ in Crouse College’s auditorium using many of the Roosevelt and Estey pipes.
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Syracuse University Marching Band
The band performs during a football game in Archbold Stadium.
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1970
Department of Design Established
The department is part of the School of Art.
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1972
College of Visual and Performing Arts Created
It includes the School of Art, Department of Drama, School of Music, and Department of Speech Communication.
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1974
Regent Theater Complex Created
Arthur Storch, chair of the Department of Drama, oversees the project.
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1974
Crouse College Listed as Historic
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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1982
Comstock Art Facility Built
The building is added to in 1985 and 1992 to accommodate additional art programs.
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Film Editing Studio
Photo from 1984-85 VPA recruitment guide
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Electronic Music Studio
School of Music, 1988
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December 21, 1988
Pan Am 103 Tragedy Occurs
Six VPA students are among the SU students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
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1990
Shaffer Art Building Dedicated
The newly built Dorothea Ilgen Shaffer Art Building is dedicated, thanks to a $3.25 million gift from Shaffer, a 1933 alumna.
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1992
School of Art and Design Established
The name reflects that half of the School of Art’s students and faculty are engaged in design disciplines.
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1997
Setnors Name Music School
Rose ’33 and Jules R. Setnor ’32 MD ’35 give a $3.2 million gift to name the School of Music and Crouse College’s auditorium.
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1998
Setnor Auditorium Restored
The auditorium undergoes an extensive restoration.
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Department of Speech Communication
Department main office, Sims Hall, 1999
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1950
Holtkamp Organ Built
Walter Holtkamp is contracted to build a new organ in Crouse College’s auditorium using many of the Roosevelt and Estey pipes.
-
1970
Department of Design Established
The department is part of the School of Art.
-
1974
Regent Theater Complex Created
Arthur Storch, chair of the Department of Drama, oversees the project.
-
1982
Comstock Art Facility Built
The building is added to in 1985 and 1992 to accommodate additional art programs.
-
Electronic Music Studio
School of Music, 1988
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1990
Shaffer Art Building Dedicated
The newly built Dorothea Ilgen Shaffer Art Building is dedicated, thanks to a $3.25 million gift from Shaffer, a 1933 alumna.
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1997
Setnors Name Music School
Rose ’33 and Jules R. Setnor ’32 MD ’35 give a $3.2 million gift to name the School of Music and Crouse College’s auditorium.
-
Department of Speech Communication
Department main office, Sims Hall, 1999
-
Syracuse University Marching Band
The band performs during a football game in Archbold Stadium.
-
1972
College of Visual and Performing Arts Created
It includes the School of Art, Department of Drama, School of Music, and Department of Speech Communication.
-
1974
Crouse College Listed as Historic
The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
-
Film Editing Studio
Photo from 1984-85 VPA recruitment guide
-
December 21, 1988
Pan Am 103 Tragedy Occurs
Six VPA students are among the SU students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
-
1992
School of Art and Design Established
The name reflects that half of the School of Art’s students and faculty are engaged in design disciplines.
-
1998
Setnor Auditorium Restored
The auditorium undergoes an extensive restoration.
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2001
New Programs Added
Environmental design (interiors), fashion design, and textile design move to VPA from the former College for Human Development.
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2001
Tepper Center Established
A gift from Broadway producer Arielle Tepper ’94 establishes the Tepper Center for Careers in Theater in the Department of Drama.
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May 1, 2001
Crouse College Exterior Restored
Crouse College begins a three-year exterior restoration project.
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2003
Speech Comm becomes CRS
The Department of Speech Communication changes its name to the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (CRS).
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2006
VPA Programs Move to Warehouse
Advertising design and communications design are among the first tenants in SU’s Warehouse in downtown Syracuse.
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2006
Sorkin Week in Los Angeles Established
A gift from writer/producer Aaron Sorkin ’83 H’12 establishes the Sorkin in LA Learning Practicum for drama students.
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2001
New Programs Added
Environmental design (interiors), fashion design, and textile design move to VPA from the former College for Human Development.
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May 1, 2001
Crouse College Exterior Restored
Crouse College begins a three-year exterior restoration project.
-
2006
VPA Programs Move to Warehouse
Advertising design and communications design are among the first tenants in SU’s Warehouse in downtown Syracuse.
-
2001
Tepper Center Established
A gift from Broadway producer Arielle Tepper ’94 establishes the Tepper Center for Careers in Theater in the Department of Drama.
-
2003
Speech Comm becomes CRS
The Department of Speech Communication changes its name to the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (CRS).
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2006
Sorkin Week in Los Angeles Established
A gift from writer/producer Aaron Sorkin ’83 H’12 establishes the Sorkin in LA Learning Practicum for drama students.
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School of Art Painting Class
Shaffer Art Building, 2009
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2009
Design Department Moves to Warehouse
All design programs move to SU’s Warehouse; the department later becomes the School of Design.
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June 3, 2014
125th Anniversary of Chimes Celebrated
The student group the Chimemasters present a special concert.
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2019
Crouse College Cupolas Restored
The three cupolas atop the historic building are removed, restored, and replaced.
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2019
Department of Creative Arts Therapy Established
The seventh academic unit in VPA, the department launches its first degree program, an M.S. in art therapy, in Fall 2021.
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2022
Department of Transmedia Becomes Department of Film and Media Arts
The new name better reflects the work of the faculty and students and the creative and commercial worlds they occupy.
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2022
VPA LA Semester Launches
The new semester program provides students with the opportunity to work as interns in Los Angeles while taking academic courses taught by LA professionals.
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2023
Setnor Music Ensembles Tour United Kingdom
The Wind Ensemble and Hendricks Chapel Choir travel to London; Edinburgh; and Lockerbie, Scotland, to give performances in remembrance of the lives lost in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988.
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School of Art Painting Class
Shaffer Art Building, 2009
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June 3, 2014
125th Anniversary of Chimes Celebrated
The student group the Chimemasters present a special concert.
-
2019
Department of Creative Arts Therapy Established
The seventh academic unit in VPA, the department launches its first degree program, an M.S. in art therapy, in Fall 2021.
-
2022
VPA LA Semester Launches
The new semester program provides students with the opportunity to work as interns in Los Angeles while taking academic courses taught by LA professionals.
-
2009
Design Department Moves to Warehouse
All design programs move to SU’s Warehouse; the department later becomes the School of Design.
-
2019
Crouse College Cupolas Restored
The three cupolas atop the historic building are removed, restored, and replaced.
-
2022
Department of Transmedia Becomes Department of Film and Media Arts
The new name better reflects the work of the faculty and students and the creative and commercial worlds they occupy.
-
2023
Setnor Music Ensembles Tour United Kingdom
The Wind Ensemble and Hendricks Chapel Choir travel to London; Edinburgh; and Lockerbie, Scotland, to give performances in remembrance of the lives lost in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988.
*Photos provided by VPA and SU Archives