Dean's Brief

The academic year 2023-24 was productive, challenging and inspiring. Working together, we’ve charted a course designed to be transformative, building on the foundation and currency of the college you’ve helped to create. Our ambitions are high, realistic and focused on expanding our collective footprint in Arts higher education beyond the region. Planting the seeds to grow the definition and distinction that will distance the College of the Arts from others, we are determined to be a top-tier undergraduate and graduate degree-granting college. We plan to create a new conservatory model focused on the preparation of our students to meet and exceed the demands of professional practice through ideation, research, and discovery — that will be unique to UL Lafayette — ensuring opportunities for success after graduation. We have created a rigorous educational model with individual pathways for discipline-specific proficiency delivered by our award-winning faculty. College of the Arts students in all of our nationally accredited disciplines are successful at the highest levels of professional practice upon graduation and are positioned for advanced and terminal degrees if desired.

As we continue to advance the College of the Arts, we have much to celebrate:

• To celebrate our 30th anniversary with events held in the Fall and Spring terms, commencing on Thursday, 07 November, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Fletcher Hall.

• To reorganize the College into four distinct Schools by decoupling the School of Music from the School of Dance and Theatre and renaming the Department of Visual Arts to the School of Visual Arts.

• To enhance student experiences through high-impact practices and meaningful co-curricular experiences through strategic curricular initiatives and fundraising campaigns, including the launch of the College of the Arts SPARK $30,000 for a 30-year Fundraising Campaign to support student scholarships, academic and performance programs, faculty grants, and other vital areas.

As we enter the 30th year of the college's formation, we are excited to trace its growth from the Department of Music at Southwestern Louisiana Institute through the creation of the School of Art and Architecture in 1958 to today, a College with an enrollment of more than 1,000 students and 70 full-time faculty. Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and the campus community are invited.

I am optimistic as we continue to build on the vibrant community of the College of the Arts and our vital contributions to the advancement of the University guided by the talented and inspirational colleagues I have the privilege to work with and, importantly, with your cherished support. I look forward to seeing you at one of our many performances, lectures, exhibitions, and events.

Sincerely,

DJ Moore
Dean and Professor
College of the Arts