Art

The growth of the arts at Old Dominion University has always been closely tied to its educational mission. From the earliest drawing and painting courses offered at the Norfolk Division to today's diverse undergraduate programs, the university's arts community has been built around the belief that creative practice, scholarship, and critical inquiry are essential parts of a comprehensive education.

As the arts expanded across campus, so did opportunities for students to pursue creative and scholarly paths. Programs developed across studio art, graphic design, art history, art education, music, theatre, and dance, preparing generations of students to become artists, educators, performers, designers, researchers, and cultural leaders.

Expanding Undergraduate Opportunities

What began in 1955 as a small collection of foundational courses developed over time into a broad range of academic programs. Students at Old Dominion have pursued the arts through Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts pathways that encourage both specialized study and interdisciplinary exploration.

The university's undergraduate programs reflect the changing nature of artistic practice itself. Studio artists work alongside designers, historians, educators, musicians, and performers, creating a community where different approaches to creativity inform and strengthen one another.

These programs have been supported by the university's growing network of studios, galleries, museums, libraries, and performance spaces. The relationship between academic study and physical resources has remained central to the arts experience at ODU, allowing students to learn not only in classrooms, but also through exhibitions, performances, collections, and professional-level facilities.

The Joint MFA in Visual Studies: A Regional Collaboration

As demand grew for advanced study in the visual arts, Old Dominion University partnered with neighboring Norfolk State University during the 1980s to establish the Joint Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies. The program represented a significant regional collaboration, allowing graduate students to benefit from the strengths of both institutions.

Through the partnership, students had access to faculty expertise, specialized studio facilities, and expanded academic resources across two university campuses. The Joint MFA reflected a shared commitment to strengthening advanced arts education in Hampton Roads while creating opportunities for artists seeking terminal graduate study.

In 2012, Old Dominion University concluded its participation in the Joint MFA program. Norfolk State University assumed full administrative and academic responsibility for the degree, continuing the MFA in Visual Studies as an independent program.

Graduate Study and the Future of Arts Scholarship

Although Old Dominion no longer offers a terminal studio degree in the visual arts, graduate-level study connected to the arts continues through the university's interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Humanities program. Established before the conclusion of the Joint MFA, the program provides opportunities for students to explore areas such as art history, visual culture, museum studies, and related fields within a broader humanistic framework.

The transition marked a significant shift in the university's graduate arts offerings. While students seeking advanced research in the humanities and visual culture could continue their studies at ODU, those pursuing a professional studio MFA would need to look elsewhere.

This development represents an important moment in the continuing history of the arts at Old Dominion. During the same period that the university expanded its visual arts infrastructure through new galleries, museums, studios, and research spaces, graduate education in studio art moved beyond the institution. The contrast reflects the complex nature of building an arts community: facilities provide essential support, but academic programs, faculty expertise, and opportunities for advanced study are equally important in sustaining creative ecosystems.

Continuing the Mission

The history of academic programs at Old Dominion reflects both growth and evolution. The university has continued to provide students with opportunities to engage deeply with artistic practice, cultural history, and creative expression while adapting to changing educational priorities.

From undergraduate classrooms and studios to galleries, museums, and community partnerships, the arts at ODU remain rooted in a larger mission: preparing individuals who can contribute creatively, thoughtfully, and meaningfully to the world around them.