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About

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) strives to provide students access to all of the arts and academics complemented by exposure to a wonderfully diverse artistic environment. Students in all of the CVPA programs work closely with accomplished and renowned faculty who serve as outstanding mentors and professional role models.

Instruction combines traditional forms and approaches with the latest in technology applications to best prepare all of our students for the challenges and expectations that await them in their careers as artists, designers, scholars, educators, therapists, and arts-related business persons.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts also presents an outstanding calendar of events on an annual basis that provides the campus and community with a rich, vibrant variety of plays, exhibits, dance performances, design and fashion shows, concerts as well as outreach activities in our geographic area.

The work of the students, faculty, and guest artists combine to make our college the artistic and cultural center of this region of the Commonwealth and beyond.

 We invite you to visit us, attend our wide array of performing and exhibiting events throughout each year, and see for yourself why the arts at Radford University are exciting, enlightening and enriching!

Our Mission

The mission of the College of Visual and Performing Arts is to:

  • Create an artistic community of practice.
  • Expose others to the creative process.
  • Engage in interdisciplinary and international collaboration.
  • Lead this institution to a position of cultural prominence.

Our Vision

The College of Visual and Performing Arts strives to reveal and harness the creative energy that drives cultural innovation, empowers leadership, and provides the inspiration to devote one’s life to learning and pursuing artistic excellence.

    Meet the Dean

    Dr. Rachel Williams

    Dr. Williams has more than 25 years of experience as an interdisciplinary arts scholar and administrator, while spending the majority of her career at public universities. Her areas of expertise include educational policy, affordability, conflict resolution, research, pedagogy and curriculum development. She is a dynamic, student-centered leader who understands how the arts support greater community health and well-being.

    Dr. Williams comes to Radford from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she served since 2022 as dean of the Division of Liberal Arts. Prior to UNCSA, she spent 23 years at the University of Iowa in roles that included four years as chair of the Department of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, three years as the university ombudsperson in the office of the president and 11 years as a dual-appointed associate professor.

    Guest Artists

    As part of the college’s role as a cultural center for the arts in Southwest Virginia, we bring a wide variety of guest artists and creative scholars to our campus. These arts professionals not only bring high quality performances, exhibitions, and lectures to our campus, but also work closely with our students in the classroom. Having access to artists from the “real world” provides students with an important perspective in terms of developing career goals and networking opportunities.

    Guest Artist Gallery

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