Visual and Performing Arts College

In July 1959 the university established the College of Fine and Applied Arts containing the Departments of Art, Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Music, and Business.  The Department of Business was fragmented in 1960 and established as the College of Business in 1961.  On December 4, 1973 the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved the establishment of the College of Visual and Performing Arts composed of the Departments of Art, Music, and Theater Arts (formerly in the Department of Speech).  Home Economics and Industrial Arts were transferred to the new College of Professional Studies. As early as 1899 the College offered courses in drawing.  It was not until 1921 that the administration formed a Department of Fine Arts.  This was reorganized as the Department of Art in July 1958.  Music also had an early start.  Music is listed in the first catalog although a music teacher was not employed until the Fall of 1901.  After becoming a department in 1921, Music offered only a special four year program until 1950.  On July 6, 1972 the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved a proposal requesting the separation of the theater component from the Department of Speech to create a Department of Theater with responsibility for majors at the bachelors and masters level.  When moved to the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Theater Arts established a dance division which previously had been offered in the Department of Physical Education for Women.  In August 1999 the School of Theatre Arts became the School of Theatre and Dance.

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