College of the Arts
2016-17 HIGHLIGHTS
College of the Arts
W
hen I look back at 2016-2017, I am so very proud of all of the feats that were accomplished for our current and future students at the College of the Arts and for the benefit of the community. Many of these initiatives were started several years ago, and it is gratifying to see them come to fruition. Our KSU Dance Theater opened on the Marietta campus to great accolades. This state-of-the-art performance space is not only the performance home for the Department of Dance, but also is available for community dance companies to rent.
We received a commitment from KSU to begin work on new facilities at Chastain Pointe for the School of Art and Design. As you know, we are simply out of space, and the demand is high; student enrollment has increased 23.5% to 825 students. Enrollment has also exploded in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies with an increase of 13% over the most recent years. Main stage performances continued to break box office records, and six of our students were asked to present at the national NCUR undergraduate research conference.
The School of Music continued to focus on a well-rounded student and we were thrilled with our approval by the UPCC of the new Applied Studies Concentration in the BA. Our students not only studied, worked, and practiced, but they also performed in (or attended) over 150 performances in 2016-2017. The Office of Patron Services stayed busy supporting these performances: 171 events were presented by COTA in 2016-2017, attended by over 13,000 patrons. Overall, more than 27,500 patrons walked through our doors in the 2016-2017 Season. Finally, our financial support from donors and friends continues to increase, and we have made many new friends over the year. In the next few pages, we have given you highlights of the wonderful things happening in the College of the Arts. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting the College of the Arts.
Patricia S. Poulter Dean, College of the Arts
Department of Dance Dance Theater opened on the Marietta Campus. KSU Dance Company was selected to perform at the regional American College Dance Festival Gala Concert. As part of our study abroad program with the Batsheva Dance Company, 11 Dance Major students traveled to Israel. KSU Dance Theater Advisory Board began supporting the activities of the Dance Theater. KSU Dance received the prestigious Schusterman Visiting Artist Grant to host Ella Ben-Aharon for a 4-month residency.
School of Music The KSU Wind Ensemble was invited to perform at the Georgia Music Educators’ Association. The School of Music released Chinese Rap: The Music of Chen Yi as part of the artist-in-residence program. The KSU Holiday Concert sold out at 101 percent. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presented Peter and the Wolf, geared for families, to a sold-out house. The Men’s Ensemble was invited to sing at the Regional American Choral Directors’ Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Katherine Scott established the Katherine Scott Rehearsal Hall Endowment, and the rehearsal hall in the Bailey Performance Center was named in her honor.
School of Art and Design Kennesaw State University committed to establishing new facilities at Chastain Pointe. The Master Craftsman Program was launched. Two new concentrations were added in Illustration and Sequential Art. Apparel and Textiles officially became a program within the School of Art and Design. Our Graphic Communications students and faculty received Graphic Design USA’s highest awards. We hosted a visiting artist from ESA St. Luc Brussel as part of our ongoing international engagement efforts. The School of Art and Design received the James and Cecelia Dunn Endowed Art Scholarship for art education.
Department of Theatre and Performance Studies TPS set a new box office record having its highest ever season attendance for its mainstage shows. Six TPS students were invited to compete in the Irene Ryan competition for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for their acting work in season shows. Six TPS students were selected to present at the national NCUR undergraduate research conference. Chair Rick Lombardo directed two plays Off Broadway and took two students to NYC to work as his assistants on these projects. TPS enrollment increased 13% over the most recent years.
ARCS Advising & Retention for COTA Students We assisted 1,098 students with admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and career services. The College of the Arts’ first professional academic advisor joined us, and she conducted 515 advising appointments. 191 portfolio reviews for entrance to majors in the School of Art and Design were processed. 158 applications to the School of Music were processed, and 141 auditions were coordinated for entrance. 105 applications for the Department of Dance were processed, and 90 auditions were coordinated for entrance.
Office of Development New funds to the College of the Arts totaled $1,219,252, representing a 29% increase over the previous year. We received 13 new scholarships, including nine for the School of Music, two for Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, and one each for School of Art and Design and the College of the Arts. The total number of donors to the College of the Arts was 172, an increase over FY 2016. KSU faculty, staff and retirees represented 37% of the total number of donors.
Office of Patron Services The KSU Dance Theater opened on the Marietta campus with the world premiere of Metamorphosis and sold 101% capacity for its run. The entire run of In the Red & Brown Water was sold out before the run began and sold 106% capacity for its run. The School of Music added a KSU Holiday Concert and sold 101% capacity. In addition to the 108 ticketed events COTA presented in 2016-2017, we also presented or hosted an additional 63 events, attended by over 13,000 patrons. Overall, more than 27,500 patrons walked through our doors in the 2016-2017 Season.
Office of Marketing and Communications The Marketing and Communications office embedded within the College of the Arts performs like an internal advertising agency, handling everything from digital marketing, traditional advertising, website, videos, printing and promotional items, email marketing, and public relations. Serving seven clients, the Marketing Communications office strives to spread awareness of the fantastic programs and offerings of the College of the Arts. Highlights: 121,867 unique visitors to our web site with 517,663 page views Highest event web traffic and ticket sales, university-wide 87 Marketing projects completed, including printing/promotional items (64,528), digital marketing initiatives to drive website visits, and media relations 82 email campaigns sent to average email list of 4,340 15,666 patrons reached through School of Music live stream of 79 events
Operating Acquisitions Portable Lighting for all venues (Theatre & Perf. Studies): $98,437 Yamaha Brass Instruments (for Music & Marching Band): $70,945 Blast Furnace, Letterpress, and Pugmill for Art & Design: $39,304 Wilson Building Adjunct Faculty Office Area (WB246): $23,000 Faculty & Staff I.T. upgrades (all departments): $23,578 Marietta Dance Theater Paint: $17,263 New Chorale Risers (Music): $11,712 Sewing Machines for Textile Program (Art & Design): $10,385 Stagecraft equipment (Genie) for Dance Theater: $9,143 Electronic Door Locks for Music Practice Rooms (Safety & Security): $7,939 3D Printer for T&PS Stagecraft: $6,929 Photo Scanners for Art & Design: $5,955 New Kiln for Art & Design: $3,150 Portable Spray Paint Booth (Safety): $4,975 Camera Equipment for T&PS Courses: $2,820
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