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About Us

Students

Where Talented Students Flourish

VPA is proud to offer world-renowned Indiana University and Purdue University degrees in fine arts, music, theatre and visual communication and design to more than 600 arts majors and minors selected for their creative talent and potential for artistic achievement. At IPFW, students with a love for the arts and commitment to succeed come together in a supportive and enjoyable learning community to prepare for their future. Through a flexible curriculum and caring faculty, students do achieve their dreams.

Visiting Artists: Special opportunities for students include interaction with world-renowned visiting artists such as opera star Beverly Sills; playwright Edward Albee; glass sculptor Dale Chihuly; art critic Donald Cuspit; and actors Danny Glover and Dan Butler. Guest artists regularly perform with music ensembles and exhibit their works in the Visual Arts Gallery.

Travel: VPA sponsors trips to Chicago, Cleveland , Detroit , New York City and other arts centers to expand student's experience with a wide variety of arts and venues. Music ensembles tour nationally; theatre students learn the theatre world from the inside through field trips to New York City ; and art students travel nationally and internationally to explore art museums, exhibitions and international cultures.

Local Arts Experiences : Students also learn from artists exhibiting at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Artlink and the myriad galleries in northeastern Indiana; music performances presented by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Embassy Theatre, the Fort Wayne Community Band, the Heartland Chamber Chorale and musicians performing in numerous jazz, pop and country venues; theatre performances at the Civic Theatre, Arena Dinner Theatre, First Presbyterian Theater; dance at the Fort Wayne Ballet, the Dance Collective, and more.

Employment Enhancement: Students have ample opportunities to gain valuable work experience through internships, which enhance student resumes and may lead to employment with internship providers. Teaching experience is also available for students recommended by their teachers in the IPFW Community Arts Academy , where art, music, theatre and dance are taught to pre-K-12 students. Art and music education students obtain teaching experience through student teaching in K-12 schools under the supervision of teaching professionals.

New Programs: VPA thoughtfully develops new programs to meet the needs of students. In 2006, we created and initiated an Entrepreneurship in the Arts Certificate to enhance the business knowledge of current students, alums and regional artists to assist them in making a living through their art. The courses are taught by instructors from the IPFW School of Business and Management Sciences, the Small Business Development Center and exemplary regional arts entrepreneurs. The B.A. in Art Education degree program began in 2003 and now has more than 50 students. The Master of Music Education, and a BFA track in Industrial Design are in the planning stage.

Student Successes: VPA students prove their talent through their successes in academics, performance and research.

Academics: Each year, approximately 24% of VPA students make the dean's list (3.5 GPA or higher), and six attained a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA in 2005-06.

Performance/Research: In 2005-06, VPA student recognition include:

  • The Department of Music's Symphonic Winds, University Singers and Chamber Singers were chosen by the Indiana Music Educators Association for performances at the January 2006 convention (it is highly unusual for multiple ensembles from one university to be selected)
  • Three music students were selected for membership in the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Collegiate Repertory Chorale. The choir is comprised of 100-120 of the finest collegiate choral musicians in the central division ( Ill. , Ind. , Mich. ) and made its debut at the division convention in Chicago in February 2006
  • A Fine Arts exhibition was selected by NCECA for presentation at the national conference in 2006
  • Three theatre students at Region III ACTF were chosen to compete in the Irene Ryan Scholarship auditions
  • Numerous Fine Arts and VCD student works were selected for exhibition in the IPFW Fort Wayne International Airport Exhibition
  • A VCD student was accepted to "Top 40" an adjudicated professional art exhibition at the Los Angeles Center for the Digital Arts
  • Two classes of VCD upperclassmen designed the logo and packaging for a gourmet food product by Grace Island Foods.

To view more about VPA student successes click on the following choices:

[Fine Arts] [Music] [Theatre] [Visual Communication and Design]