From our impressive facilities to our small class sizes, it’s easy to see why students love the fine arts at Graceland University. Within our Visual and Performing Arts program there are three departments, art, music and theatre, to choose from. In addition to our many courses, each of these departments have specialties in exciting creative endeavors any Graceland student can participate. Take a sculpture or 3D design class, join our band, orchestra or choir or even try out for one of our major theatre productions that are put on each year.
Our art department offers an Art major with concentrations in Studio Art and Graphic Design allowing for study across a wide range of creative interests. We also offer performance scholarships in music and theatre for students in any major.
Graceland is home to some of the finest art, music and theatre facilities in the Midwest.
Shaw Center features the state-of-the-art JR Theatre, a black box theatre equipped with lighting, sound and multi-functional qualities equal to the best such theaters in the country; the acoustically-perfect, 150-seat Carol Hall recital hall; the 500-seat Shaw Family Auditorium; and a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre.
The Helene Center for the Visual Arts is open 24 hours a day so students can create at any time day or night. The facility features two professional gallery exhibition spaces, a graphic design computer lab, a north-facing panting and drawing rooms, as well as dedicated sculpture and ceramic studios.
The theatre department is incredible; through it I have found my calling and career. I am so fortunate of the foundation Graceland provided me. Graceland is special because of the relationships and traditions they stem from. Once you make it to Graceland, you're one of us and we're all here for you; a worldwide network of supportive, passionate and kind people who all smile in the same language!
I loved almost everything about Graceland, but I loved hanging out in the Shaw Center. I was always in the piano lab or the practice room. People around the community knew me as the bassoonist, bassoon player, or Puerto Rico. Also, the professors and the staff were great. I'm thankful for everyone I met at Graceland and those who left a positive imprint on me.
I had the opportunity and ability to be involved in as many activities and organizations as possible. I was involved with house activities, music programs, campus ministries, Enactus, the honors program, and many other activities. My typical day was running between classes, meetings, activities, and self projects from 8am to 11pm. During this time I was able to develop strong time management skills and was able to juggle many different responsibilities and deadlines. In my career and personal life, the time management skills I've developed and my drive to get things done has shaped me into the person that I have become.
Employed in Field
79%
Art: Graphic Design graduates
Estimated Salary
$72,400
Music graduates
Employed in Field
40%
Theatre graduates
Estimated Salary
$66,300
Art: Graphic Design graduates
Employed in Field
35%
Music graduates
Estimated Salary
$72,700
Theatre graduates
Read the latest news from the Visual and Performing Arts department and check out our calendar for all upcoming events and performances.
Faculty
March 15, 2024
Cara Phipps, Assistant Professor of Theatre, was interviewed alongside...
Faculty
March 4, 2024
Associate Professor of Art Karen Gergely, MFA, co-chaired the...
Students
March 4, 2024
Several Graceland students represented the University at the return...
Students
February 14, 2024
KCACTF is an important initialism on the calendar of...
Students
October 17, 2023
Murals paint a picture of community, and several Graceland...
Faculty
April 27, 2023
Karen Gergely chaired a panel on ideation and divergent...
Want to learn more about the Visual and Performing Arts at Graceland?
Contact Information:
Karen Gergely, Associate Professor of Art and Art Program Coordinator
Sara Blessing, Director of Choral/Vocal Activities and Music Program Coordinator
Kimberly Manuel, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Theatre Program Coordinator