KSU College of the Arts celebrates 10th anniversary
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The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Although music, theater and art departments have existed for decades, they were not separated into a School of the Arts until 1998. The name was changed to College of the Arts in 2004.
“The congregation of all of the arts areas into a single unit signified Kennesaw State’s commitment to the arts as academic disciplines,” said Joseph Meeks, who has been dean since the college’s inception.
Initially, the college offered six undergraduate degrees. Since then, it has expanded theater to include performance studies, has added a bachelor’s degree in dance and has added a master of arts degree in teaching for art education.
The college has also doubled the number of declared majors and built three new facilities: the Visual Arts Building, the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center and the soon-to-be-completed Wilson Building Annex. In this same time period, the college has grown its donor base to more than 300 active supporters and has raised more than $5 million.
The college has continually raised its academic standards, earning accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design in addition to the accreditation it already held from the National Association of Schools of Music.
“The arts are truly flourishing here,” Meeks said, “but with every new achievement, we continue to strive for the next level of excellence.”
To join in the 10th anniversary celebration, people are invited to attend any of the more than 150 public events offered by the college. For a calendar of events, call 770-499-3214 or click the calendar link at www.kennesaw.edu/arts.
Read the history of the college, keep up with special events and see photos at the 10th anniversary web page.