Message from the Dean
The following email message was shared with current VCUarts students on Friday, January 23, 2026:
Dear VCUarts Students,
I’m writing to share an update about upcoming changes to some of the academic departments at VCUarts. These changes were approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) last fall and will take effect July 1, 2026. These adjustments are designed to strengthen collaboration, support creative growth and position our school for the future.
The departments of Craft/Material Studies, Painting + Printmaking and Sculpture + Extended Media will be brought together to form the new Department of Fine Arts. This consolidation unites three distinct yet closely related areas of study into one comprehensive unit with an enrollment of more than 275 students, creating expanded opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, shared resources and collaboration among these programs currently housed together in the Murry N. DePillars Building.
In addition, the departments of Dance + Choreography and Theatre will be brought together to form the Department of Theatre + Dance. This unified department will have a collective enrollment of more than 300 students and is intended to deepen collaboration between theatre and dance students and faculty, especially as the performing arts at VCUarts prepares for its future home in the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation, slated to open in fall 2027.
Most importantly, your courses and degrees will not change. You will continue to earn the same degree you enrolled in, and all planned courses will remain intact. Later this semester, you will notice updated department names in the 2026–27 VCU Bulletin, but rest assured that your academic path stays the same.
I am sure you will have questions—especially those of you currently enrolled in one of the affected departments. To help provide answers, we’ve created a web page of frequently asked questions with information about the upcoming changes.
These consolidations open new opportunities for creative exchange across disciplines, especially as we look ahead to major milestones such as the opening of the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation next year and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of VCUarts in 2028.
Thank you for being part of the VCUarts community. We’re excited about what’s ahead and remain committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Warmly,
Carmenita Higginbotham
Dean, VCUarts
FAQs
for Current VCUarts Students
No, there will be no change to degree titles or program names.
Since departments are not listed on diplomas, the information—including your degree—will not be affected.
Students follow the degree requirements indicated in their effective bulletin year. These changes will not affect any degree requirements for students in the impacted programs (Craft/Material Studies, Painting + Printmaking, Sculpture + Extended Media, Dance + Choreography, and Theatre).
There are no changes related to degree completion requirements, including thesis, capstone or final projects.
Yes, students will continue to work with their current advisors and/or graduate committee members.
There will be no changes to the process for students in Art Foundation applying to and enrolling in their chosen area of study for the fall semester.
If your question has not been addressed, please email arts@vcu.edu.