History of VPA

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.

  • September 18, 1873

    College of Fine Arts Opens

    It is the first degree-conferring organization of its kind in the United States.

  • 1875

    First Alumnus Graduates

    Mark Marsden Maycock graduates with a bachelor of painting degree.

  • 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.

  • 1887

    John Crouse Funds New Building

    Syracuse businessman and SU Trustee John Crouse approves plans for the building of Crouse College.

  • January 1, 1888

    Crouse College Construction Begins

    Norcross Brothers of Worcester, Massachusetts, are the builders.

  • 1889

    Crouse Auditorium Organ Built

    A gift from John Crouse, the organ is built by Frank Roosevelt and inaugurated on June 22.

  • June 3, 1889

    Crouse Chimes Ring

    The chimes are manufactured by Clinton H. Meneely Bell Foundry of Troy, New York, and donated by Crouse.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1887

    John Crouse Funds New Building

    Syracuse businessman and SU Trustee John Crouse approves plans for the building of Crouse College.

  • 1889

    Crouse Auditorium Organ Built

    A gift from John Crouse, the organ is built by Frank Roosevelt and inaugurated on June 22.

  • 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.

  • Crouse College on the Hill

    When completed, it was the third building on campus, the first being the Hall of Languages.

  • 1905

    Boar’s Head Founded

    The Boar’s Head Dramatic Society is founded, entertaining audiences for more than 50 years.

  • 1910

    Department of Oratory Founded

    Syracuse offered one of the nation’s first academic programs devoted to the study of communication and rhetoric.

  • 1913

    Advanced Work in Photography Offered

    The University becomes the first institution in the country to pursue advanced work in photography.

  • 1921

    School of Public Speech and Dramatic Art Formed

    In 1941, the word “Public” is omitted. Pictured: 1930 Debate Team.

  • 1924

    Crouse College Organ Rebuilt

    The Estey Organ Company of Vermont retains most of the original Roosevelt pipes.

  • 1930

    First Full Opera Is Performed

    Gluck’s Orpheus was the first production in full opera form in Syracuse history.

  • 1936

    Orchestra Makes Radio Debut

    Radio broadcasts of SU activities on campus are a staple in this era.

  • 1937

    Tenth Bell Added to Crouse College’s Chimes

  • 1945

    College of Fine Arts Reorganized

    The college is comprised of the School of Architecture, the School of Art, and the School of Music.

  • 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.

  • 1930

    First Full Opera Is Performed

    Gluck’s Orpheus was the first production in full opera form in Syracuse history.

  • 1937

    Tenth Bell Added to Crouse College’s Chimes

  • 1905

    Boar’s Head Founded

    The Boar’s Head Dramatic Society is founded, entertaining audiences for more than 50 years.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Syracuse University Marching Band

    The band performs during a football game in Archbold Stadium.

  • 1970

    Department of Design Established

    The department is part of the School of Art.

  • 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

    Regent Theater Complex Created

    Arthur Storch, chair of the Department of Drama, oversees the project.

  • 1974

    Crouse College Listed as Historic

    The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • 1982

    Comstock Art Facility Built

    The building is added to in 1985 and 1992 to accommodate additional art programs.

  • Film Editing Studio

    Photo from 1984-85 VPA recruitment guide

  • Electronic Music Studio

    School of Music, 1988

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1998

    Setnor Auditorium Restored

    The auditorium undergoes an extensive restoration.

  • Department of Speech Communication

    Department main office, Sims Hall, 1999

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 2001

    New Programs Added

    Environmental design (interiors), fashion design, and textile design move to VPA from the former College for Human Development.

  • 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.

  • May 1, 2001

    Crouse College Exterior Restored

    Crouse College begins a three-year exterior restoration project.

  • 2003

    Speech Comm becomes CRS

    The Department of Speech Communication changes its name to the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies (CRS).

  • 2006

    VPA Programs Move to Warehouse

    Advertising design and communications design are among the first tenants in SU’s Warehouse in downtown Syracuse.

  • 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.

  • 2001

    New Programs Added

    Environmental design (interiors), fashion design, and textile design move to VPA from the former College for Human Development.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • School of Art Painting Class

    Shaffer Art Building, 2009

  • 2009

    Design Department Moves to Warehouse

    All design programs move to SU’s Warehouse; the department later becomes the School of Design.

  • June 3, 2014

    125th Anniversary of Chimes Celebrated

    The student group the Chimemasters present a special concert.

  • 2019

    Crouse College Cupolas Restored

    The three cupolas atop the historic building are removed, restored, and replaced.

  • 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

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • School of Art Painting Class

    Shaffer Art Building, 2009

  • 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