The University of Montana School of Fine Arts serves as the flagship for the arts in the State of Montana. Committed to quality education, the School offers a full complement of undergraduate and graduate degrees in the traditional disciplines of Art, Drama/Dance and Music. Innovative programs within the School of Fine Arts include: a common core curriculum, The Arts in Culture, at the undergraduate level; an interdisciplinary summer graduate program for master teachers, The Creative Pulse, leading to a Master’s Degree in Integrated Arts and Education, and a growing Media Arts Program that offers a professional graduate degree, the Master of Fine Arts in Media Arts.

Comprised of more than 50 full-time faculty, 15 staff members and 800 full-time students, the School operates out of five major facilities on campus. All three departments within the School of Fine Arts are nationally accredited (National Association of Schools of Music, National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design). Imbedded in the mission of the School of Fine Arts at The University of Montana is a deep commitment to challenge each student with a professionally based process that provides extreme readiness for success in a highly competitive marketplace.

The School of Fine Arts is home to The Montana Repertory Theatre, a professional touring theatre company; The Colony, a summer playwrights’ workshop; The Montana Transport Company, a touring dance company; and the Gallery of Visual Arts. The School is served by the Museum of Fine Arts, with an extensive and internationally recognized permanent collection. The departments regularly host high school festivals on campus and tour different communities, sharing their expertise.

The University of Montana’s main campus sits at the base of Mount Sentinel—which offers one of the state’s most popular hiking trails—and adjacent to the Clark Fork River. The campus covers 200 acres with 62 buildings and an 18,850-seat football stadium. UM’s south campus includes family and single housing complexes, a golf course, and soccer and track facilities. The University of Montana has been rated in the top ten nationally for combining academic quality and outdoor recreation by Outside Magazine.

Summer in Missoula
Just 150 miles south of Glacier National Park and 260 miles northwest of Yellowstone National Park, Missoula is located in the center of a recreational paradise. Mean July temperature is 67 degrees with an average maximum of 85. One can fish, swim, canoe or raft in the three main rivers that meet in Missoula or in any of the countless lakes in the area. Hiking, camping and horseback riding are all available within a few miles of campus, and the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area is less than 10 miles away. The arts are alive as well. Music, concerts, recitals, theatre and dance productions abound. Missoula has two public museums, the University has three galleries, and there are several private galleries. Many of these galleries and museums schedule their openings for the citywide First Fridays Gallery Night each month throughout the year.

The School of Fine Arts
“The School of Fine Arts is a jewel in the crown of The University of Montana-Missoula and provides artistic and cultural leadership for the state of Montana.

The history and traditions of the School of Fine Arts are rich and extensive. The School is committed to the highest standards of artistic development, teaching, and learning.

Faculty members are nationally and internationally known for their achievements and teaching. Students express admiration and respect for the faculty members in Art, Music, Drama/Dance, and the Media Arts, with many students indicating that their selection of the School of Fine Arts is based solely on the teaching and artistic faculty.”

From The University of Montana Accreditation Review
by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Spring 2000


Other documents of interest

Odyssey of the Stars
A Celebration of Artistic Journeys
A Benefit for the School of Fine Arts Scholarship Fund

The Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival

Summer 2007

Summers Only Masters
The Creative Pulse
Especially for Teachers

How can I help SFA?

 

Shirley Howell
Dean
Performing Arts-Radio/Television Center, Room 110   
Phone(406) 243-4970  
Fax (406) 243-5726
email