OSU announces launching for School of Visual and Performing Arts At a private reception in September, Oklahoma State University announced the launch of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, encompassing the OSU Departments of Music, Theatre, and Art, Art History and Graphic Design. Rebecca Brienen, head of the art, art history and graphic design department, is serving as inaugural director. “Enthusiasm for the arts is at an alltime high at OSU,” Brienen says. “The SVPA will draw upon the combined strengths of OSU’s music, theatre and art departments while promoting and supporting their outstanding students and programs.”
32
WINTER 2015
learning, faculty research, community On October 30, 2014, OSU outreach and cultural awareness through announced a campaign to raise nearly the visual arts. $60 million to build a new Performing The SVPA and its expansion will Arts Center. The complex will include a increase the synergy and reputation 1,100-seat performance hall, a 222-seat of allied arts at OSU, while allowing recital hall and an outdoor amphitheater students, faculty and patrons of the with seating for 1,000. arts to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities The OSU Department of Music will be housed in the new Performing Arts Center, and resources. “Establishing the School of Visual with plans to renovate the Seretean Center and Performing Arts shows OSU’s latest for the Performing Arts for the OSU commitment to the arts,” says College of Department of Theatre. Arts & Sciences Dean Bret Danilowicz. The OSU Department of Art, Art “The three departments under the SVPA History and Graphic Design has also have individually built esteemed programs. enjoyed the recent addition of the OSU I can only imagine what their combined Museum of Art in downtown Stillwater, efforts will produce.” which serves as a space for student