From the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Fine Arts at Seattle University!

Our arts programs connect a liberal arts education with the core values of a Jesuit education and the vibrant cultural and artistic resources of the dynamic city of Seattle.

Our goal is to nurture our students’ growth as independent, self-reliant arts professionals and our interdisciplinary learning environment encourages collaboration as part of a diverse community of students and faculty.

We offer a BA degree in music, theatre, visual art, photography, digital design, art history, and interdisciplinary arts; a BFA degree in photography; a BM in string performance; and a MFA degree in arts leadership. All of our studies are grounded in the creative and critical study of foundational works, histories and methods, contemporary theory and practice, and an active engagement with the arts community.

Our commitment to connecting campus and community is exemplified by the programming in the Jeanne Marie & Rhoady Lee, Jr. Center for the Arts. The Lee Center enriches the artistic experience of Seattle University students and fosters the development of new creative work by Seattle-based artists. Be sure to click on the Calendar of Events icon at the top of this page to see all of our many public offerings in art, music, theatre, and lectures.

The Fine Arts department at Seattle University is bursting with value and opportunity. Blending academics with practical applications, we are bridging the gap between study and practice while nurturing a new wave of art professionals.

Best wishes,

Fr. Josef Venker, SJ, MFA
Chair, Department of Fine Arts