Western Colorado University Launches New School of the Arts

Western Colorado University is ushering in a new era for the arts. Starting this fall, the university will bring its programs in Art, Graphic Design, Music, Theatre, and Film together under a newly created School of the Arts.  

The launch comes after a year of design and development by a team of faculty and administrators who wanted to create a space to collaborate, innovate, and find opportunities to better prepare students for careers in the arts.  

“Our intent was to strengthen Western’s community of artists and performers and identify and grow interdisciplinary opportunities, both within existing programs and through the development of new programs, that support students’ interests and prepare them for careers in the fine arts,” said Associate Provost Ashley Carlson, who is serving as interim dean and worked with a team of faculty to lead the effort. “I’m confident that the School of the Arts will achieve that.” 

Faculty leaders from across the arts worked on the plan, including professors Tina Butterfield (Art), Mayela Cardenas (Graphic Design), Steven Cole Hughes (Theater), Ben Justis (Music), and Tamara Toomey (Communication Arts, Languages and Literature). Together with Carlson, they conducted surveys, interviews, and community input sessions before presenting the plan to Western’s Board of Trustees this summer. 

Western administrators will appoint a dean to lead the School of the Arts and recruit students to join its programs over the coming year. 

“The School of the Arts will position Western’s arts graduates to thrive in the creative industries,” Carlson said. “Students will graduate not just as skilled artists, but as creative professionals who understand how to work across disciplines and adapt to the evolving needs of the industry.”