Why Study Visual and Performing Arts?
The Department of Visual and Performing Arts offers a variety of courses in studio art, art history, graphic design, music, theatre, film, and visual storytelling.
Students are presented with opportunities for study in studio practice, history, theory, appreciation, research, and performance. All of our majors and minors explore traditional and innovative processes and practices of the visual arts and performance.
VPA Calendar of Events Fall 2024
- September 20: Opening reception for Visual Arts Exhibition Little Green, works by Resa Blatman, McCoy Gallery in the Rogers Center, 6:30–8 p.m. Exhibition runs from September 13 through November 8, 2024
- October 5: OnStagers 24 Hour Play Festival, Rogers Center
- October 18: Resa Blatman’s Artist Talk, 5–6 p.m., McCoy Gallery in the Rogers Center
- October 24–27: VPA presents “John Proctor is the Villain,” Rogers Center
- November 9: VPA Fall Concert, 7:30 p.m., Rogers Center
- November 21–23: OnStagers Presents “Twelfth Night,” Rogers Center
- November 22: Opening reception for curated student exhibition Science Fact X Science Fiction, McCoy Gallery in the Rogers Center, 5:30–7 p.m. Exhibition runs from November 22, 2024m through January 31, 2025
- December 5: Joy to the World Concert, 7:30pm, Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher
- December 8: Winter Chamber Music Concert, 2 p.m., Austin Chapel
Learn More about Visual and Performing Arts at Merrimack College
Bachelor of Arts majors include Graphic Design, Music, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts, as well as combination majors in Interactive Design, Entrepreneurship and Graphic Design, and Music and Business Marketing and Management. Minors in Art History, Graphic Design, Music, Studio Arts, Theatre Arts, and two interdisciplinary minors in Film Studies and Visual Storytelling are also offered.
The courses offered by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts introduce students to the interdisciplinarity of the Arts and to the artistic traditions that are their heritage. Students learn from each other, as well as participate in the continuation and enrichment of these traditions. Many of our courses serve as arts and literature courses for the College’s Core Curriculum.
Major GPA: Students must achieve a final grade point average of 2.3 or better within any majors offered by the Visual and Performing Arts Department. The GPA for majors will be calculated as the average of all courses taken within the major.
Unlock Your Creative Potential
- Develop your analytical and performance skills and prepare yourself for professional life or further study.
- Critically analyze visual and performance art.
- Work cooperatively and creatively with your peers.
- Learn from your own intellectual and creative experiences.
Why Merrimack
- You’ll explore music, studio art, graphic design, art history, film and theatre from many different perspectives.
- You’ll participate in a wide array of student organizations.
- You’ll engage in hands-on learning outside the classroom.
- You can join our Creative Arts Affinity Living Community.
Discover Student Work
Merrimack and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts present a selection of our students’ work. Learn more about our talented students and their interesting projects.
Join Our Marching Band
Accompany our Division I athletics and unlock your creative potential, pique your intellectual curiosity and expand your professional experience. Be part of college gameday.
Featured VPA Alumni
Meet our alumni, including “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Charlie Day, and hear what they have to say. Find out where they are working and reach out!
Majors and Minors in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts
VPA Majors Offered
Want More? Stay in Touch
Check out our Flickr Page There are tons of photos of our majors, classes, student work, and performances for you to explore.
Head to the VPA Playlist on YouTube, and be sure to watch our recitals, exhibition openings, alumni videos to see what our students and alumni have been doing. You can also check out the new Merrimack College Fight Song.
Follow us on Instagram and like us on Facebook to get connected.
