Marks of Distinction 

Rankings

• Arizona’s arts/humanities programs rank No. 10 among public universities (Times Higher Education).
• School of Theatre, Film & Television’s film program ranks No. 4 among public universities (The Wrap, 2025).
• School of Dance ranks No. 2 among public universities (OnStage).
• School of Art’s Photography MFA ranks No. 3 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2020).
• School of Music’s Pride of Arizona Marching Band earned the prestigious Sudler Trophy from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2024, given biennially to the nation’s top marching band.

Student Success

• The college celebrated four largest fall cohorts (2021–2024) in 36 years.
• 353 undergraduate degrees awarded in FY25— the most in a decade.
• Arts students regularly receive major campus honors, including Mellon–Fronteridades Graduate Fellowships, JustArtsFellows, Roots of Resilience cohort, Mars Science Plus Scholarships bridging arts and sciences and more.
• Student films are annually invited to screen at major film festivals and conventions like San Diego Comic-Con.

Faculty Focus

• Regents Professor Sama Alshaibi (School of Art), Guggenheim Fellow, 2023 Betty Parsons Fellowship
• Duane Cyrus, director of the School of Dance, Bessie Award–nominated performer and former dancer with Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham.
• Film faculty Lisa Molomot & Jacob Bricca, Peabody Award winners for “Missing in Brooks County” documentary.
• Theatre faculty Greg Pierotti, Emmy Award nominee for “The Laramie Project.”
• Art professor Amelia Kraehe was selected for the Class of 2026 NAEA Distinguished Fellows cohort.

Alumni Pride

• Linda Ronstadt and Harvey Mason Jr. (CEO, The Recording Academy) launched their musical careers here.
• Tori Evans (Taylor Swift ERAS Tour) and Kayla Farrish (NY Times “Breakout Star”) showcase global dance impact.
• Impactful film alumni include WME Senior Talent Partner Brad Slater, producers Scott Stuber (Frankenstein) and Christina Oh (Minari) and directors Tyler Gillett (Scream) and Lindsay Utz (Prime Minister).
• Art alumni include muralists Danny Martin, Jessica Gonzales, and Joe Pagac and game designer Tom Chilton of “World of Warcraft.”

Facilities

• Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, the purpose-built facility named one of “Arizona’s Greatest Architectural Wonders.”
• Center for Creative Photography, home to 300 photographer archives, including co-founder Ansel Adams.
• University of Arizona Museum of Art, one of the nation’s top university museums; 40 years AAM-accredited.
• Major renovations to the Marroney Theatre, CCP and School of Art realized the first phase of the Arts Master Plan.
• Centennial Hall brings in over $30 million in annual economic impact.

Community Engagement

• Arizona Arts presents 700+ events annually, reaching 300,000 attendees.
• Arizona Arts Live brings international artists to Tucson, attracting an audience comprised of 33% students, up from 1% in 2019. Partnering with over 100 different organizations around Southern Arizona.
• The School of Dance’s Tucson Jazz Dance Showcase has drawn 20,000 prospective students over 30 years.

Research in the Arts

• With integration of arts research into the U of A research enterprise has resulted in faculty receiving Udall Center Fellowships, RII Production Seed Grants, RII Women of Impact honors, HSI Faculty Seed Grants and more.
• Artists participated in a simulated moon mission at Biosphere 2, exploring creativity beyond Earth.
• Research associate Jonathon Keats’s “Millennium Camera” at Tumamoc Hill — a 1,000-year exposure of Tucson.

New and Expanding Programs

• Arizona Arts Rx, an arts + culture prescription program, connecting arts engagement to student mental health.
• FTV LA, a Los Angeles base for Film & Television students and alumni in partnership with Film Independent.
• Arts Administration minor, a collaborative program with Eller and SBS preparing future cultural leaders.
• Online degrees now available in Design Arts & Practices, Music, and Film & Television.