Dartmouth University

What you'll study

The programme integrates core studio-art practice with courses in performance, theatre production and the study of drama and media. Students undertake a mix of practical workshops, seminar-based theory classes and project-led studio time. Typical module areas include:

• Foundations in Visual Art – drawing, 2D and 3D design, colour theory and materials study to establish technical facility and visual literacy.
• Studio Practices – painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital media and time-based media courses that support sustained individual projects and portfolios.
• Performance and Theatre – acting techniques, voice and movement, rehearsal processes, improvisation, and scene study for practical development.
• Production and Technical Skills – stagecraft, lighting, sound design, set and costume construction, and technical theatre management for live and site-specific performance.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration – project modules that bring together visual artists, performers, filmmakers and designers to create exhibitions, installations and performances.
• Theory and Context – art history, performance studies, criticism, curation and contemporary practices to situate studio and stage work in broader cultural and critical contexts.
• Capstone Project – a senior thesis or final project (exhibition, production or combined presentation) developed under faculty supervision, demonstrating conceptual coherence and technical command.

Entry requirements

Admission is selective and based on a holistic review of academic achievement, creative potential and extracurricular engagement. Typical entry requirements include:

• A completed secondary-school qualification that meets the university’s general admission standards.
• Academic transcripts showing strong performance across a liberal-arts curriculum.
• A creative portfolio presenting examples of visual or performance work; applicants to the performance stream may be asked to submit an audition recording or attend an audition.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two) that address academic ability and artistic promise.
• A personal statement or creative statement describing artistic aims, relevant experience and reasons for choosing an interdisciplinary arts degree.

Standardised test requirements and specific document lists follow the university’s undergraduate admissions guidance; applicants from different educational systems should consult admissions advisors about credential evaluation and portfolio expectations.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of creative and cultural careers. Common paths include:

• Professional artist, exhibiting painter, sculptor or multimedia practitioner.
• Theatre and performance careers such as actor, director, stage manager, dramaturg or movement specialist.
• Production and technical roles including lighting, sound, set and costume design, and technical direction for theatre and live events.
• Creative industries roles in film, television, digital content, animation, and interactive media production.
• Curatorial, gallery and museum work, arts administration, cultural policy and programme management.
• Further study at conservatoires, MFA or MA programmes in studio art, performance studies, film and theatre or arts-related research degrees.

The programme’s emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking and project management also equips graduates for roles in education, community arts and cultural entrepreneurship.

Why study at Dartmouth University

Students benefit from a small campus environment where close faculty mentorship and cross-department collaboration are emphasised. The university’s studio facilities, on-campus theatre spaces and technical workshops provide hands-on access to production resources while seminar-heavy courses foster critical reflection. Strong links between visual-art and theatre faculty support interdisciplinary projects and offer opportunities to work with visiting artists, critics and practitioners. The liberal-arts curriculum allows students to combine arts training with studies in fields such as anthropology, computer science, history or engineering, broadening creative approaches and career options.

Practical performance seasons, student-run exhibitions and collaborative public projects give students real-world experience presenting work to audiences and building professional networks in cultural sectors locally and beyond.