College of Arts and Architecture

College of Arts & Architecture Dean’s Office

217 Cheever Hall

406-994-4405

caa@montana.edu

Dean Adams, Dean, deanadams@montana.edu

Jim Zimpel, Associate Dean, james.zimpel@montana.edu

Jennifer Dunn, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, jendunn@montana.edu

General Information

Degree Programs

The College of Arts & Architecture houses four Schools with a variety of undergraduate degrees and minors in the visual and performing arts:

School of Art

B.A. in Art Education
B.A. in Art History
B.A. in Liberal Arts Studio (areas of study in Painting, Sculpture & Extended Media, Ceramics, Printmaking, Metalsmithing, and Drawing)
B.F.A. in Graphic Design
B.F.A. in Studio Arts (areas of study in Painting, Sculpture & Extended Media, Ceramics, Printmaking, Metalsmithing, and Drawing)
Art History Minor
Art Education K-12 Minor

The College of Arts & Architecture inspires and challenges students to engage with the world through creative and critical inquiry and expression. We accomplish this goal by fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment of learning that prioritizes creativity, innovation, and risk-taking. Our extraordinary faculty teach future artists, designers, architects, filmmakers, and musicians to participate creatively with the world around them and upon graduation our students are historically engaged, technically sophisticated, creatively motivated, and are ready for diverse careers.

College of Arts & Architecture students take foundational coursework in their first year of study to develop the necessary skills of creative thinking, design, and critique. Throughout their coursework, they continue to hone those skills through intensive hands-on studio classes. In addition, our students take a spectrum of humanities and science courses to provide depth and substance to their artistic explorations.

Our students and faculty approach their courses, research, creative activity, and outreach, with the College’s deeply held core values:

Excellence - Through an emphasis on access and opportunity, we embrace the highest intellectual, artistic, and professional standards of our disciplines.
Passion - We believe in the critical importance of our creative contributions to society and the power of our practices to leave the world better than we found it.
Relevance - We believe that research and creativity are the foundations for successful community and institutional partnerships, increased social awareness and disciplinal growth—always adhering to the tenets of our land-grant mission.
Ingenuity and Risk-Taking - Through independence and teamwork, we embrace challenges with imagination and creativity, making our contributions impactful and distinctive.
Respect and Inclusivity - We are committed to transparent, inclusive and meaningful dialogue.

Research and Outreach

Much of the research and creative activity in the college is vested in the individual activity of faculty with strong records of publication, presentation, exhibition, competition, performance, and client-based work.

Outreach is also connected with individual faculty research and creative work. In addition, there are several notable programs focused on outreach.

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks (MSIP) – Known for their professional Shakespearean touring company, MSIP has been performing each summer all over Montana, Wyoming, and southern Idaho since 1973. Free to the community, donations, and grants provide funding. MSIP also has education programs serving Montana: Shakespeare in the Schools serving high schools and middle schools and SHAKES! serving elementary schools with minimal costs to the schools.

Montana Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and MSU’s public television station (KUSM) – The College houses the offices and production studios for Montana PBS.

Community Design Center (CDC) - Affiliated with the School of Architecture CDC works with regional non-profit clients to address architectural programming needs. Often working collaboratively with business, government, and tribal partners, the CDC connects cutting-edge design with the people and communities who need it.

Integrated Design Lab (IDL) – The IDL started with funds from the Northwest Energy Alliance and provides services to Montana architects and engineers who wish to beomce more aare of the environmental impacts of energy consumption.

MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking - Students create films for partners- including Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and National Parks.

Music Ensemble Tours – Our music ensembles travel across the state, nation, and internationally.

Accreditation

Montana State University is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Architecture program is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).