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About the College

Mission Statement

The mission of the College of the Arts is to provide rich learning environments that deepen understanding of and nurture creativity in the visual and performing arts. The college celebrates and learns from diversity and values individual differences. Through its teaching, research, and outreach programs, the College aspires to build on its history as a vital force for change and innovation in and through the arts.

Our strengths in interdisciplinary collaboration, international/multicultural initiatives, and innovative research and pedagogical work grow out of our continuing attention to the importance of historical traditions in the visual and performing arts.

By providing a nurturing environment for the both exploration of past achievements and experimentation, the College strives to heighten global awareness of the arts and enrich the understanding of cultural life by the university and community at large.

Overview of the College

160 faculty teach 1,700 undergraduates, 500 graduate students, and tens of thousands of additional students through general education, non-major, and graduate courses
nationally and internationally known visiting artists/scholars, along with international exchanges, courses/events with multicultural, ethnic, and gender content deepen the student experience
strengths in interdisciplinary teaching and research collaborations with internal/external partners; outreach/engagement initiatives become laboratories for experimentation, educational growth, and professional development
innovative research and pedagogical work grows out of our continuing attention to the importance of historical traditions in the visual and performing arts

International Connections

In this increasingly global environment, the scholarly, cultural, and artistic endeavors our faculty and students engage in around the world create a unity of understanding and sharing that is unique to the arts. We offer internships, support residencies, and have teaching exchanges and research initiatives with a growing number of partners from arts, business, and educational institutions in Great Britain, Europe, Asia, and South America.

Community Outreach Opportunities

We are increasing linkages with arts organizations, public school educators, and city leaders to connect our communities in meaningful ways. In an effort to provide our students with skills that bridge their professional studies on campus with experiences off campus and to support building a stronger downtown, we are looking at the possibility of having an OSU arts space downtown where students could exhibit their work, engage in educational programs, experiment with performance pieces, and practice arts administration. Columbus civic leaders agree that a dynamic arts scene is a major factor in defining the nature and direction of the city.

Commitment to Diversity

The College of the Arts at Ohio State prospers from the diversity and cultural richness of the world. Ours is an environment where diversity is an essential source of creative and scholarly endeavors and a defining characteristic of the community. Here, one may challenge the ideas of another while affirming the human dignity of all.

Faculty Research and Strategic Indicators

The faculty of the college report annually on their research, scholarly, and creative activities of the previous year.