News

• Featured News

  The Power of Music in Times of Crisis

  Music educators at Syracuse University help students learn, perform and sustain meaningful connections in the digital realm to ease the “pandemic of separation.” Read full story

• Featured News

  Alumni, Faculty and Staff 3D-Print a Response to COVID-19

  Syracuse University schools and colleges are collaborating to print face shields that will protect health-care workers responding to community needs. On March 17, Lynn Greenky, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, reached out to a few of her colleagues. Greenky saw a local news story about a Central New York firm that has made 3D-printing plans for a face shield available on its website. Budmen Industries, operated by Syracuse alumnus Isaac Budmen ’12, has offered a template and instructions to produce the shields, which provide crucial protection for...

• Featured News

  Department of Drama Cancels Public Performances of ‘A Grand Night for Singing’ and ‘On the Lake’

  In response to the emerging situation related to COVID-19—and with an abundance of concern for the well-being of students, staff and patrons—the Syracuse University Department of Drama has canceled all public performances of “A Grand Night for Singing” and “On the Lake.” Ticketholders are invited to consider converting unused tickets into a tax-deductible donation to the Department of Drama. Those interested in making such a donation are asked to email  and include name, address and amount of original ticket purchase. Also, refunds will be available to those who request them prior to April 30. Contact the Syracuse Stage box office at 315.443.3275 to exercise either option....

• Featured News

  M.F.A. Design Students Collaborate with Food Bank of CNY, PepsiCo to Deliver Food to Underserved Families

  For the past year, students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ master of fine arts (M.F.A.) program in design have been working with the Food Bank of Central New York to raise community awareness of a new, innovative food delivery service. A mobile pantry allows the Food Bank to do direct food drops at key locations throughout the Central New York region, especially at times such as the holiday season, when school lunch programs are not available for local children. Read the full story

• Featured News

  CRS’s Whitney Phillips in Wired: “To Fight Covid-19, Curb the Spread of Germs—and Rumors”

  Whitney Phillips, assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, regularly writes commentaries for Wired Magazine. She writes about combating misinformation about the coronavirus in “To Fight Covid-19, Curb the Spread of Germs—and Rumors.” Read the full article

• Featured News

  Communications Design Students Selected as Graphic Design USA ‘Students to Watch’

  Fatima Al Khaldi and Sarah Noll, senior communications design majors in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Design, were selected and featured as 2020 “Students to Watch” in Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) Magazine. Each year, GDUSA selects a class of students nominated as “Students to Watch.” The group is identified through the help of many of America’s leading art and design schools. Each class of approximately 75 students features the top 50 design education programs from across the country. “We’re thrilled to have two of our seniors named to the 2020 class of GDUSA ‘Students to Watch,’” says Marc Stress,...

• Featured News

  The best way to innovate is to do it. Meet Courtney Jiggetts ’20

  Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group conglomerate, dropped out of high school at the age of 16. His first venture was a student publication which eventually expanded into a constellation of businesses that now carry the Virgin brand. There are so many ventures under that brand that he shared with NPR’s Guy Raz that he has lost count of how many businesses make up his portfolio as a serial entrepreneur.  Courtney Jiggetts ’20 regards Branson as a life-long idol and aims to replicate his laser focus on innovation.  She already has a head start, having recently been named...

• Featured News

  College of Visual and Performing Arts Announces 2020 VPA Scholars

  Twelve seniors in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) have been named VPA Scholars, the college’s highest undergraduate academic honor. The VPA Scholars program was established to recognize the achievements of the college’s top seniors. Students are selected based on academic performance, creative/scholarly work and service to the college and the community. The 2020 VPA Scholars are:

  • Naiya Jai Campbell, a communication and rhetorical studies major in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
  • Wallis Dean, a theater management major in the Department of Drama
  • Shannon Ferguson, a studio arts major in the School of Art
  • Michael Fernandes, a

  ...

• Featured News

  Syracuse Stages Announces 2020-21 Season

  Two Tony Award-winning musicals, an American classic, a smart new comedy, a haunting new adaptation of a literary masterpiece and a world premiere are at the heart of Syracuse Stage’s 48th season. Artistic director Robert Hupp said the shows all in some way address ideas of home “in all its idealized, romanticized, messy and real manifestations.” In addition, three nationally acclaimed artists will participate in residencies at the theater throughout the season. Kate Hamill will be the playwright in residence at Syracuse Stage’s annual Cold Read Festival of New Plays. Activist and artist Mark Valdez will develop his new work “Exiled in...

• Faculty News

  Andrew Saluti, assistant professor of museum studies in the School of Design, gave a keynote speech about Louisa Chase and her emergence and career as a printmaker as part of the WOMAN-MADE Printmaking Festival at St. Petersburg College’s Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

• Featured News

  Critically Acclaimed American Spiritual Ensemble to Perform as Part of Syracuse University Residency

  The American Spiritual Ensemble, a critically acclaimed professional vocal group that has thrilled audiences around the world with its dynamic renditions of classic spirituals and Broadway numbers, will visit Syracuse University March 8-11 to hold a residency and offer three public events. “The American Spiritual Ensemble performs with commitment, passion and exceptional musicality,” says Anne Laver, assistant professor of organ and coordinator for the group’s residency. “They are superstars in the choral world, and we are so excited to be able to host them in Syracuse.” Read full story

• Featured News

  Syracuse University to Host Music for People Weekend Retreat April 17-19

  Music for People (MfP), a global pioneer in experiential, inclusive music education, will hold its first weekend retreat at Syracuse University. The retreat will run Friday, April 17, from 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Most of the activities will take place in Crouse College, home of the Setnor School of Music in the University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. The program is open to students and graduates of MfP’s Musicianship and Leadership Program (MLP) and experienced MfP players. Syracuse University students are invited to a public...

• Featured News

  Transmedia Seniors Attend Sundance Film Festival Through Sundance Ignite Program

  Five seniors from the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Department of Transmedia attended the Sundance Film Festival as part of the Sundance Ignite program. Sundance Ignite identifies and supports new voices and talent from the next generation of filmmakers and fosters fresh audiences for independent storytelling. As part of the program, students receive the Ignite Ticket Package, an exclusive chance to see the newest films at the Sundance Film Festival. Film majors Megan Massey, Alexis Miranda, Alex Smithline and Lauren Wilson as well as computer art and animation major Perri Phelps traveled to Sundance in Park City, Utah Jan. 28-Feb. 2 accompanied by Professor Rebecca Xu. They participated in the following events: Read More...

• Faculty News

  Amardo Rodriguez, professor in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, has published a new book: “Introducing Communication: Perspectives, Assumptions, and Implications” (University of Toronto Press). The goal of this introductory communication textbook is to reveal why the study of communication is important in terms of deepening our understanding of the human condition, enlarging how we frame and resolve human problems and struggles, and appreciating the different perspectives that communication brings to the study of the human experience.

• Featured News

  Design Students Receive Honors in American Society of Interior Designers Student Competition

  Two environmental and interior design (EDI) students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Design received honors in the American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) Student Portfolio Competition. Hua Tang ’20 and Erin Toy ’20 were both named semi-finalists. Tang went on to be named a finalist in the competition and was invited to present her portfolio to prominent international design firms at the 2020 ASID Scale Student Summit in Seattle February 20-23. Read More...

• Featured News

  Statement from the Tenured Academic Leadership of the College of Visual and Performing Arts

  The tenured academic leadership of the College of Visual and Performing Arts acknowledges the statement by the Chancellor to the Syracuse University community on Monday, February 24, addressing recent events in Crouse-Hinds Hall and directing urgent action. We respectfully request that additional steps be taken to ensure that our shared commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the safety and well-being of our students, is fulfilled. Read More...

• Featured News

  Design Student Victoria Lawson ’20 selected to attend Student Toy Congress at U.S. Toy Fair

  Victoria Lawson ’20 is representing Syracuse University this week as a member of the Toy Fair Student Congress 2020 at the US Toy Fair.  Lawson is a VPA Industrial and Interaction Design student and a Whitman EEE minor, specializing in product design and packaging.  She is the guest of Adam ’96 (Whitman) and Amy Fazackerley, members of the SU Libraries Advisory Council, who are co-founders of Lay-n-Go, a patented activity mat, cleanup, storage and carryall solution in one.  The event is the annual gathering tapping into the $27B U.S. domestic toy market, held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in...

• Featured News

  Art and Transmedia M.F.A. Candidates to Present ‘March Six Show’ in New York City

  Master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degree candidates in the College of Visual and Performing Arts' School of Art and Department of Transmedia will present “March Six Show,” an exhibition of work, March 6-7 at 321 Canal St., New York, N.Y. An opening reception will be held on Friday, March 6, from 6-9 p.m. Additional hours are Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Curated by Zane Onckule, “March Six Show” features the work of 15 members of the M.F.A. Class of 2020: Franco Andres, Brandy Boden, Charles Hickey, Darcie Brown, David Steinberg, Devon Gelhar, Eric Mowen, Katie Shulman, Laurence Hervieux-Gosselin, Regan Henley, Stephen Farrell, Tanisha Steverson, Wanrong Zheng, Yiying Wang and Zichen Xu. Read More...

• Featured News

  With a Song in Their Hearts

  Students trained at the Setnor School of Music enter the world of professional musicianship with an extraordinary foundation that emphasizes theory, inspires creativity and embraces diverse musical traditions. Just seven years after its founding in 1870, Syracuse University welcomed its first students into the Department of Music and became the first American university to grant a degree that required four years of study in both music and theory. From the hallowed halls of Crouse College, home of the Rose, Jules R., and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, students have long pursued knowledge in...

• Faculty News

  James Haywood Rolling Jr., professor of art education in the School of Art and the college’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, presented "Creative Leadership and the Age-Old Agency to Innovate” as part of the 2020 Art Education Lecture Series at the University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Art and Art History. He was quoted in a New York Times article featuring the work of breakout contemporary portrait artist Jordan Casteel.