Creative Arts | College of Arts and Sciences | The University of Southern Mississippi

Studying Creative Arts

Do you consider yourself an original and independent person? Are you drawn to activities where you have the freedom to express your creative ideas? Do you dream of a career performing, designing, or creating art? If this sounds like you, explore our opportunities and see what it means to be a Golden Eagle.

Explore Programs

Meet Emmanuel Carney

BME Choral/Instrumental | Assistant Drum Major, Pride of Mississippi

At Southern Miss, I've been able to fully develop my skills as a musician, student, and person. I've been afforded numerous opportunities to shape and improve my craft because of the dedication that USM has for curating an influential, worthwhile undergraduate experience.

Learn by Doing

Find yourself taking center stage, creating original works, and seeing your ideas come to life. From film productions, performances or choreographies, and visual or ceramic works to graphic or sketch designs, here you will create!

Meet Caitlyn Herzlinger

Assistant Professor of Movement and Acting | Fight Director and Stage Combat Safety Expert

What I love the most about getting to create art with our undergraduates is that in my role I get to actually witness them grow into talented, dependable collaborators. It's one thing to teach them acting techniques, but it's another to help them learn the soft skills that they can use anywhere in their lives.

Student Media Center Communication students exercise the skills they learn in classes and build a portfolio of their work at SM2.

Annual Student Shows Art and Design students participate in juried exhibitions highlighting their studio coursework.

Take Center Stage Music students perform with award-winning ensembles composed of students from all over the world.

Alumni

We proudly boast a vibrant community of alumni that are soaring across industries and working at companies around the world. Here are some recent graduates.

Meet Whitson Ramsey '18

BFA with an emphasis in Drawing and Painting
Art Handler, Atelier Fine Art Services
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

During my time at USM, I was able to discover the cultural and historical significance of the fine art world and what my place as an artist would look like in that career path. The faculty in USM’s Art + Design program vigorously taught me all the skills and theories I needed to learn in order to become a professional artist working full-time in the field.

Ezekiel Andrew ’17

M.M. in Music

Mufasa Understudy & Principal
The Lion King on Broadway
New York City

Falon Baltzell ’09

B.F.A. in Dance (Performance and Choreography)

Artistic Director
The Wooden Floor
Santa Ana, California

Blair Ballou ’21

B.A. in Media and Entertainment Arts (Film)

Cinematographer
Ballou Media Group LLC.
Los Angeles, California

Holland Harkins ’22

B.S. in Interior Design

Junior Designer
Anderson Design Center
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Interesting Courses

Did you know over 2 K courses are offered in an academic year in the creative arts? Here is a sampling of courses that might spark your interest.

Intro to Costume & Makeup

THE 201

Introduction to theatrical costume and makeup theory with its practical application.

International Housing & Interiors

ID 497CA

Study abroad: a series of lectures and tours by interior design topics.

University Bands

MUP 482

This ensemble offers opportunities to perform on a secondary instrument and is a great way for non-music major band students to participate in a concert band.

Freshmen Repertory Dance Company

DAN 220

A structured rehearsal process that leads to a public performance taken in a dance major's first semester.

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Have Questions?

Contact USM's College of Arts and Sciences via email at discover.casFREEMississippi.