College of Fine Arts

From working side by side with acclaimed artists to countless opportunities to showcase your talent on and off campus, Wichita State's College of Fine Arts provides an environment where you can train like a professional—and gain the skills, connections and confidence to launch your dream career.

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Music theatre students perform at "Seussical"

On stage and on display, a larger audience awaits

On campus, Shocker fine arts students in every discipline can hone their skills and share their talent, thanks to more than 500 annual performances, presentations and exhibitions. Off campus, Wichita’s galleries, theatres and music halls give our students virtually limitless opportunities to learn, network, exhibit and perform.

Simply put—we make art. And we teach you to make art.

Learn more about Applied Learning at WSU

Elevate your passion

Whether you want to perform, create, teach or work behind the curtain, WSU offers a diverse range of quality, accredited degree programs and industry connections to put you on the path to a career in the arts. WSU's commitment to interdisciplinary experiences means you'll try new things and interact with students from other colleges on innovative projects along the way.

Fine Arts undergraduate degrees Fine Arts graduate degrees

CFA Departments

The College of Fine Arts is one of the most respected schools of visual and performing arts in the nation. Our exceptional faculty will give you the personal training, support and perspective you need to fulfill the potential within.

Students filming in the green room at Shocker Studios.

School of Digital Arts

Get the skills you'll need for a dream career in the video game, film or recording industry with Wichita State's innovative Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) in Media Arts Degree, one of the only degrees of its kind in the U.S.

Art, Design and Creative Industries

The School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI) is an academic hub for contemporary art, innovative design, fresh thinking, collaboration and creative risk-taking.

School of Music

Wichita State's School of Music delivers unmatched opportunities and resources students need to become tomorrow’s musical innovators. You'll receive the skills and knowledge to transform from a good musician into a great musician.

School of Performing Arts

The School of Performing Arts is known for its professionalism and quality productions in dance, music theatre and theatre.

Cutting-edge Facilities

With seven buildings dedicated solely to the arts, Wichita State is an ideal habitat for artists, musicians and actors. Our campus and city are dotted with galleries, theaters, performance spaces and studios.

Shocker Studios

Shocker Studios is home to WSU's innovative Bachelor of Applied Arts in Media Arts program, and features high-tech studios for audio production, game design, video, motion capture and animation.

Ulrich Museum of Art

WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art is home to more than 6,000 works, including one of the largest and most renowned outdoor sculpture collections of its kind. Artists also have access to many student-run galleries, including ShiftSpace, located in downtown Wichita.

Wiedemann Hall

Wiedemann Hall is home to The Great Marcussen Organ, the first of its kind to be built in North America. The 425-seat hall houses recitals and small ensemble performances. Large ensembles and operas perform in the 530-seat Miller Concert Hall inside the adjacent Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Wilner Auditorium

600-seat Wilner Auditorium is home to the WSU School of Performing Arts and serves as the main stage for theatre activities. It is one of four theaters at WSU, including the 100-seat Welsbacher Black Box Theatre, which houses student-led productions.

Shockers help create downtown street mural

WSU students in a class taught by ShiftSpace Gallery Director Kristin Beal, helped plan and execute the Douglas Design District street mural, a project that has helped add vibrancy to one of Wichita's thriving arts and entertainment districts.

Students in Beal's Intro to Community & Social Practice class worked with Josh Tripoli, the project's director, to develop plans to safely transport the stencils, and create a system for managing volunteers and ensuring that the design colors were applied correctly.

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Shocker Students work on a Douglas Design District Street Mural

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Advising

Academic Advising at Wichita State University is a personalized way to explore options and make good decisions that help you attain your educational and career goals.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The WSU College of Fine Arts offers program-specific scholarships that are audition (or portfolio) based. In addition, eligible Shocker fine arts students have access to general scholarships—including freshmen merit scholarships worth up to $24,000—and other forms of financial aid.

College of Fine Arts news

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Senior Honors student Sarah Myose designed and painted a mural on the Clinton Hall staircase.

Mural is a wish fulfilled for Honors student

Wichita State student Sarah Myose had the winning entry in a competition to paint a mural on the Clinton Hall stairs. Their inspiration came from her time teaching children to paint dandelions and they completed the mural just in time for the start of the fall semester.

From Newton to 'La La Land,' Kansas singer achieving big-screen dreams

Wichita State grad Angela Parrish landed her first major gig as a featured vocalist in the widely heralded film “La La Land." Parrish’s is the first voice heard in the movie – as a soloist in the opening song, “Another Day of Sun.”

Summer internship lets theater student bring costume beauty to 'Beauty and the Beast'

Wichita State University Technical and Theatre Design major Payton Dickerson spent a summer interning as a junior cutter and draper for Trollwood Performing Arts School. Among her projects including creating a costume for Mrs. Potts, the talking, singing teapot character in “Beauty and the Beast.”