Dr. Brent Hanson is chair of this department. If you have any questions, feel free to contact him at 652-7792.

The Fine Arts Department is a cultural center for Southern Utah. It's art shows, concerts, plays, and other artistic endeavors are recognized as the finest in the area. And you're invited to take part in these activities. You could, for example, sing in Handel's MESSIAH, act a leading role in a play, create artwork that is shown locally, compete in speech and debate meets, write news articles for the student paper, or dance in a stage review.

For those of you interested in majoring in theatre, art, speech, music, journalism, dance, or any related field, the courses you find in this department will form a good basic foundation for future study. Also, with very few exceptions, these courses transfer well to in-state schools. If you plan to major in these fields, come in to the department offices in the Delores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center. Make yourself acquainted and let one of the department's qualified professors help you in planning and making your stay at Dixie State College as rewarding and enjoyable as it can be.

Dixie's general education program requires that you take one class in the Fine Arts and Communication area. Students enjoy courses in art, communication, music, theatre, and dance and these courses are basic introductions to the topics. See the general education graduation requirements for a complete list. In this department you'll find the following types of courses:

Art Courses

The art program has two basic types of courses: applied courses in which you actually paint, sculpt, throw pots, etc., and lecture courses in which you learn such things as art history and the elements of design. The art faculty are both talented teachers and gifted artists. Whether you're learning about Renoir, water color, sculpting, portraiture, or ceramics, you'll be learning from the best.

Communication Courses

Dixie State College's Communications and New Media (CNM) program is an applied degree aimed to produce graduates prepared to enter the job market at corporate and small business-level marketing where expertise in new media is vital. The degree is divided into three domains: Digital Motion Picture and Broadcast Production, Web Design and Electronic Publishing, and Integrated Communications. Each domain develops specific skills that complete this hybrid bachelors' degree. Graduates in this program are adept in oral communication including integrated public speaking, interpersonal and organizational communication, as well as in visual technologies to include digital motion picture production, web-based design and development, broadcasting, and writing on various levels.

Dance Courses

Based on the mission statement and goals of the dance program, the dance curriculum is designed to provide the following opportunities for students: (1) to develop an appreciation for dance as an art form; (2) to become aware, as audience or participants, of the functions of dance in our society; (3) to improve dance technique and to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for working in the dance careers; (4) to pursue undergraduate studies.

Music Courses

This program comprises two basic types of classes--lecture and ensemble. The lecture courses will teach you the basics of music, music appreciation, the fundamentals of music, and music theory. The ensemble classes, on the other hand, will provide you performing experience in the rehearsal hall at first, but later on stage, at public events, and in the concert hall. Dixie has a variety of both vocal and instrumental performing groups, ranging from the concert and chamber choirs, to the jazz ensemble, the pep band, the flute choir, and the symphonic band.

Theatre Courses

In addition to a variety of lecture-type classes, each year the theatre program presents a full season of plays. These plays become a type of lab in which you will have hands-on experience in the actual "art" of the stage, including such things as acting, directing, scene design and construction, lighting, makeup, etc. Presented in Dixie's Delores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center, these plays are a focus of enrichment and entertainment for students and community alike, and as a student at Dixie, you are encouraged to take part.