Since
its establishment, the College of Fine Arts has
become an increasingly vital unit of the University
Community. In addition to providing
rich educational experiences and programs in the
arts, the College brings national recognition to
the University through the high level professionalism
associated with the faculty and the competence of
students and graduates. The College of Fine Arts
mirrors the aspirations set for the University of
Florida in its mission statement of 1992 to "be
among the best universities in the world,"
and among "the best 15 in this country."
Therefore, it is the mission of the College to provide
the very best programs in teaching, artistic/creative
expression, scholarship, and service.
The College recognizes that the arts are vital for
enhancing the quality of life. As we approach the
21st century, it may be time to revisit the ancient
idea about the origins of art. Art came into being
not for its own sake but rather as a way of dealing
with life and the world. We must have a commitment
to our traditional artistic and aesthetic values,
but also must recognize the place of the arts in
relation to life and it's diversities; e.g., business,
medicine, and communications. Moreover, as the population
of Florida grows (fourth largest state in the nation,
the population has just topped fourteen million
people), the degree of sophistication in the arts
that many people moving to this state will possess
will warrant an ever-increasing quality arts program.
To this end, the College is striving toward an even
more vigorous arts program that, over time, can
make a difference to those who demand the best.
The primary responsibility of the College is to
its undergraduate majors and graduate students.
The aim to produce artists, performers, scholars,
teachers, and practitioners who combine the qualities
of academic and professional excellence with the
ability to function effectively and to be contributing
members of society. In keeping with the mission
and concept of a doctoral research university, another
goal is to provide comprehensive programs at both
the graduate and advanced graduate levels.
The College also offers substantial general education
and service courses to non-arts majors and intends
to continue this service in the coming years. Of
the 21 units at the University of Florida, the College
of Fine Arts is second only to the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences in providing courses for General
Education. The College provides a number of minors
for students in other colleges who wish to study
one or more art disciplines. Consequently, the goal
is to educate non-arts majors in ways which will
enlighten, enrich, and help them develop avenues
for creative/artistic expression. In addition to
providing arts courses for students enrolled at
this institution, the College of Fine Arts maintains
strong programs in pre-service and in-service arts
education, and pursues cooperative endeavors with
other colleges and the public schools in research
and development in a variety of activities and disciplines.
|
