The VCU School of the Arts is pleased to hold an in-person ceremony honoring both undergraduate and graduate arts students. More details will become available in early spring 2025.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
1:00 p.m.
Altria Theater
6 N. Laurel St, Richmond, VA 23220
Questions
For more information about the VCUarts commencement, please see the commencement FAQ. If you have additional questions, please contact the Dean’s Office at arts@vcu.edu or 804-VCU-ARTS.
Photography
A professional photographer will photograph graduates after they have crossed the stage. A proof of this photo and information about purchasing will be sent to the email address provided on the reader form that graduates fill out upon arrival.
Regalia
Keynote Speaker
Details about our May 2025 keynote speaker will be announced in the spring. See below for information about our past speakers.
- Aaron Anderson, Ph.D. – Dec. 2024
- Amber Esseiva (B.A. ’12) – Dec. 2024
- Joshua Boone (B.F.A. ’10) – May 2024
- Charles Watlington (B.F.A. ’02) – Dec. 2023
- Jordan Bruner (B.F.A. ’06) – May 2023
- Janelle Washington (B.F.A. ’99) – Dec. 2022
- Valerie Cassel Oliver – May 2022
- P. Muzi Branch (B.F.A. ’80, M.A.E. ’86) – Dec. 2021
- Samantha Speis (B.F.A. ’05) – May 2021
- Sophia Li (B.A. ’13) – Dec. 2019
- Elizabeth Turk – May 2019
- Jason Butler Harner (B.F.A. ’92) – Dec. 2018
- Bobby C. Martin Jr. (B.F.A. ’99) – May 2018
- Ashley Hawkins (B.F.A. ’07) – Dec. 2017
- Michael Hearst (B.M. ’95) – May 2017
- Noah Scalin – Dec. 2016
- Jarvis Jefferson (B.F.A. ’82) – May 2016
- John Paolini (M.F.A. ’93) – Dec. 2015
- Anne Holton – May 2015
- Eric Booth – Dec. 2014
- Andy Stefanovich – May 2014
- Stephen Nachmanovitch – Dec. 2013
- Teresita Fernández (M.F.A. ’92) – May 2013
- Elizabeth King – Dec. 2012
Resources for Recent Grads
Commencement FAQ
Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m. — graduate line-up
1:00 p.m. — ceremony start time
3:00 p.m. — ceremony end time
The VCUarts graduation ceremony will be held at Richmond’s Altria Theater (6 N. Laurel St.)
Graduates should plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time for line-up in the lower level of the Altria Theater.
Upon arrival, you will complete a form to have your name called during the ceremony.
Yes. All graduates who attend the VCUarts ceremony will have their names called when they walk across the stage.
All May 2025 graduates that checked out on eServices by the deadline stated in the academic calendar will be printed in the program. Please contact your departmental advisor for questions about the graduation checkout process.
Graduates may pick up tickets for guests to attend the in-person celebration. Details about tickets pick up and quantities will be announced in the spring.
No, you may attend one, both, or neither.
It depends on your degree and major. This chart outlines the hood and tassel colors that will be present during our commencement ceremony.
| Degree | Major | Hood Color | Tassel Color |
| Bachelor of Arts | Art History | White | Black |
| Fashion | Brown | Black | |
| Film | White | Black | |
| Music | Pink | Black | |
| Theatre | Brown | Black | |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | Art Education | Brown | Black |
| Communication Arts | Brown | Black | |
| Craft and Material Studies | Brown | Black | |
| Dance and Choreography | Brown | Black | |
| Fashion | Brown | Black | |
| Graphic Design | Brown | Black | |
| Interior Design | Brown | Black | |
| Kinetic Imaging | Brown | Black | |
| Painting and Printmaking | Brown | Black | |
| Photography and Film | Brown | Black | |
| Sculpture | Brown | Black | |
| Theatre | Brown | Black | |
| Bachelor of Music | Music | Pink | Black |
| Master of Art | Art History | White | Black |
| Master of Art Education | Art Education | Brown | Black |
| Master of Fine Arts | Design | Brown | Black |
| Fine Arts | Brown | Black | |
| Theatre | Brown | Black | |
| Master of Music | Music | Pink | Black |
| PhD | PhD | Royal | Old Gold |
A cap and gown are required for graduates. A professional photographer will be at the ceremony and will take photos as you cross the stage. Proofs will be share with the graduate by way of the email they provided on the registration form.
If you are unable to attend the Grad Fair or visit the bookstore, please order your regalia online at balfour.com/vcu. Shipping charges will apply to all internet orders.
Learn more about the university’s commencement on their website.
Yes. With questions regarding accessibility, please contact arts@vcu.edu 804-VCU-
Complimentary parking is available at the VCU Main Street Parking Deck.
No; however this distinction will be indicated on your diploma and on your transcript.
No. Diplomas will be mailed to the address provided during graduation checkout. To receive your diploma, you must meet all financial obligations to the university. Please contact the Office of Records and Registration at (804) 827-1673 or graduation@vcu.edu with any questions.
The School of the Arts takes great pride in recognizing its graduates. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the Dean’s Office at arts@vcu.edu or 804-VCU-ARTS (828-2787).