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In the College of Fine Arts, we foster critical thinking about the evolving history of human expression. We share lessons learned as well as explore new questions through our creative and scholarly activity. We educate artists and future audiences for the arts. We aspire to deepen our understanding of what the arts have meant to the cultural heritage of New Mexico, the Americas and the world.

Founded in 1936, the college has a rich history of offering quality educational programs. With a tradition of nurturing creativity, fostering scholarly activity, and developing innovative programs, the college distinguishes itself as an area of excellence at the University of New Mexico. As we successfully share our programs with the citizens of our state, the College of Fine Arts is recognized as a cultural resource and contributes greatly to the quality of life in New Mexico.

The College of Fine Arts comprises eight units:

Our 115 regular faculty and staff interact with approximately 1,300 students seeking degrees in the arts as well as more than 5,000 additional students who further their understanding of the arts in our courses.

Each of our academic units offers bachelor's degrees; master's degrees may be earned in art history, dance, music, and theatre. Terminal degrees are available in art studio (M.F.A.), dramatic writing (M.F.A.), choreography and performance, M.F.A. and art history (Ph.D.). Tamarind Institute offers a Master Printer Certificate.

The College of Fine Arts sponsors a wide array of public programming including art exhibitions; film and video screenings; dance, music, and theatre performances; and lectures, workshops and demonstrations. These events enhance the education of our students as well as members of our community. The college also offers educational programs in dance, music and theatre for pre-college students.

Programs of Distinction

We are proud of the many outstanding programs in the College of Fine Arts. A few with national and international recognition are highlighted below.

  • The Department of Art and Art History's graduate program is recognized in U.S. News and World Report's, "America's Best Graduate Schools" as one of the finest in the nation.
  • The dance program, recognized for its unique exchanges and collaborations with artists and teachers from Spain and Mexico, sponsors the International Festival Flamenco, a two-week series of workshops, performances and symposia.
  • The photography program, led by internationally known faculty, and the photo history program, originally directed by former Curator at the Museum of Modern Art, Beaumont Newhall, are among the preeminent programs in the country.
  • The International Cinema Lecture Series organized by the Department of Media Arts has been recognized nationally for bringing outstanding artists and scholars of film and video to speak at UNM.
  • The annual Composer's Symposium features performances of and conversations with many of the world's most important composers for the benefit of students, faculty and community members.
  • Tamarind offers the only formal educational program in collaborative lithography in the world. Through exhibitions, artistic exchanges and special projects funded by agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the United States Information Agency, the Institute's expertise has been shared in more than fifty countries.
  • An art history program unique in the nation, brings together the arts of pre- and post-contact cultures with specializations in Native American, Spanish Colonial, Pre-Columbian, and Latin American art history.
  • Wrinkle Writing, a unique theatre program which teaches dramatic writing in the public schools utilizing writers and teachers of creative drama, has been chosen as a model of effective professional development for teachers by the Southeast Institute for Education in the Arts.
  • The Gale Memorial Lecture Series is an annual lecture and visiting artist series that features artists, art historians, and critics of national and international recognition.