For nearly 100 years, VCUarts has redefined art education. We are consistently ranked one of the country’s top fine arts and design schools, nationally recognized for advancing and combining the arts with innovation and technology like no other arts school.

We’re a public, nonprofit four-year art and design school within a major research university, and offer 18 bachelor’s degrees and five master’s degrees. Located in Richmond, Virginia—one of the nation’s most artistic cities, VCUarts is a vibrant community of creators, performers and scholars dedicated to pushing boundaries and tackling challenges far beyond traditional arts practices.

Our Mission

VCUarts advances knowledge and student success through a rigorous arts education and creative practices. Centered on our students, we foster creative inquiry and innovation through engaged learning. With the curiosity and resources of a pioneering research university, our faculty and students expand the boundaries of new knowledge and emphasize creative expression and collaboration across disciplines.

Every piece, project and performance celebrates the creativity of our community, the trust among our colleagues and the new perspectives our faculty, staff and students explore daily.

“ At VCUarts we are committed to mentoring the next generation of artists, designers, performers and scholars. Our renowned faculty challenge students to think in innovative ways, to address new issues, ask new questions, take new risks and solve new problems. Through curiosity and dynamism, inspiration is found in the unknown. ”

Carmenita D. Higginbotham, Ph.D. Dean, VCUarts

VCUarts at a Glance

  • 16 Academic Departments and Programs

  • 3,225 Undergraduate and Graduate Students

  • 20 Buildings on the Richmond Campus

  • 350 School of the Arts Faculty

More VCUarts Fast Facts

Accreditation

Virginia Commonwealth University holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

VCU School of the Arts’ academic units hold specialized and professional accreditation from these discipline-specific accrediting bodies:

VCU School of the Arts’ educator preparation programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and meet state requirements for teacher licensure.

Contact information for NASAD, NASD, NASM and NAST:
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248
(703) 437-0700