Academics

Letter from the Dean

Ronald J. Compesi, Interim Dean

As Interim Dean of the College of Creative Arts, I enthusiastically invite you to visit us and participate in a multitude of exciting academic programs and events.

More than 3,000 students are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in art, broadcasting, cinema, design, music, dance and theatre here in the College. Curricula incorporates both theoretical and practical courses, designed to help students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to become effective artists, professionals or teachers. Our faculty of diverse, internationally respected and accomplished artists, educators, researchers and professionals teach and mentor students, helping them become well-rounded in their field of choice.

Our students can look to the accomplishments of our distinguished alumni for inspiration, among them actress Annette Bening, conductor Kent Nagano, Peter Casey–co-creator and producer of Frasier, actor/comedian Dana Carvey, Academy award-winners Christopher Boyes and Stephen Zaillian; actor Delroy Lindo, artists Roy DeForest, Judy Dater, Rupert Garcia, Carmen Lomas Garza and Kristen Oppenheim; television and radio personalities Malou Nubla, Frank Sommerville and Sterling James and journalist Ben Fong-Torres.

For more than a half-century, the College has been a dynamic community center for San Francisco and San Francisco State University, presenting more than 300 performing and visual arts events each year. In particular, the College celebrates the 50th season of the Morrison Artist Series this year, which presents A-list chamber music performers year-round. And the newly funded International Center for the Arts, by alumni George and Judy Marcus, continues its second season presenting festivals, exhibits, documentary film screenings and awards showcasing some of the world’s most innovative art and artists.

We look to the future as a capital campaign for a new performing and electronic media arts building gets underway with a generous $10 million gift from alumni Manny and Neda Mashouf. The College anticipates completion of the campaign and breaking ground on a new Creative Arts Center that ultimately will enhance the academic experience of our students as well as Bay Area arts community.