Explore CVPA

The College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA) is a comprehensive school of art, design, and music. We offer you the excitement of creative exploration with the value of a public university education. We prepare our students for successful careers in the arts and beyond.

2024 MFA Thesis Online Exhibition

Artists: Ruth Douzinas, Zeph Luck, Matthew Napoli, Fallon Keiko Navarro, Darley Ortiz Garcia

Learn more: 2024 MFA Thesis Online Exhibition

Pamela Karimi speaking at Mark Dion Lecture

Visiting Artist, Designer, and Scholar Lectures

The College of Visual and Performing Arts hosts numerous lectures throughout the year. Noted artists, designers, curators, critics, and historians share their perspectives, expertise, and processes, to give insight into contemporary issues and professional practice. Many are free and open to the public.

Learn more: Visiting Artist, Designer, and Scholar Lectures

CVPA Summer Arts LAB

Summer Arts LAB is an interdisciplinary program where high school students can explore art and design, engaging the body, space, and community. Participants respond to challenging prompts and community discussions resulting in the creation of multi-disciplinary and/or collaborative work. Sessions are guided by practicing artists and designers.

Learn more: Summer Arts Lab

Emerging Young Artists + Designers Juried Exhibition

The first Emerging Young Artists (EYA) exhibition was held in the CVPA Campus Gallery at the College of Visual and Performing Arts in Spring 2013. Since then, the EYA has evolved to become an important CVPA tradition as a highly competitive annual high school juried exhibition that showcases the talents of New England’s young artists and designers, becoming Emerging Young Artists + Designers (EYAD) in 2024. The EYAD 2024 is juried by the Associate Dean of CVPA and culminates in the exhibition reception and awards presentation with hundreds of guests.

Learn more: Emerging Young Artists + Designers

Prof. Ziddi Msangi in graphic design critique with students

Open House & Portfolio Reviews

Portfolio review sessions are highly recommended for students entering any of CVPA's undergraduate studio arts programs. We offer portfolio reviews at Admissions Open House events on campus each fall. We also participate in select national portfolio review days in our area.

Learn more: Open House & Portfolio Reviews

Campus gallery exhibition image with students

High school art class visits

CVPA representatives visit high school art and music classrooms, community colleges, after-school programs, and other institutional events throughout the country. If you would like a CVPA representative to visit, please email jloete@umassd.edu or call 508-910-6635.

Learn more: CVPA Admissions