Goal 1

Recruit, retain, and graduate a more academically prepared and diverse student body.

With its longstanding commitment to academic and artistic excellence as a foundation, the School of Fine Arts (SoFA) will increasingly define itself by the unique advantage it offers students in preparing them for accomplished careers and future leadership.

 

Objective 1

Increase overall SoFA enrollments and continue to attract quality students.

 

Strategies

1.  Combine forces among SoFA faculty and departments in developing new, collaborative recruiting strategies and events.

2.  Continue enhancing and developing on-campus clinics/festivals/lectures that attract and engage prospective students, teachers, and parents.

3.  Increase and standardize occasions for student travel, including regional/national tours, showcase events in major cities, major competitions and conferences, and study-abroad programs.

4.  Utilize present SoFA students to greater degree in promoting programs and advantages of a Northern education.

 

Actions/Measures

  • documenting activities and impact of the NSU Virtual Arts Day

  • documenting activities and impact of the SoFA Fine Arts Invitational

  • documenting strategies to link recruiting initiatives to the Fine Arts Invitational

  • streamlining a more inclusive and collaborative scholarship application process

  • supporting strategic visitations at state/regional high schools

  • interfacing with Admissions Office to generate accurate student data

  • maximizing and targeting impact of High School Art Day

  • launching new initiatives:  NSU Virtual Arts Day; NSU Instrument Day; Friends of the Arts/NSU Young Artist Competition

  • improving unified and coordinated promotion of all SoFA units – coordinated among faculty undertaking recruiting trips

 

Objective 2

Prepare students for success as professional educators, artists, performers, and scholars.

 

Strategies

1.  Create additional opportunities for students to gain exposure to professional experiences that complement classroom and studio instruction, including traditional and innovative faculty/student collaborations and guest artist appearances.

2.  Explore increased occasions for collaborative and interdisciplinary programming, thus showing students how the arts can interact in dynamic and powerful ways.

3.  Continue building and supporting a vital community of international students, recognizing the artistic impact these individuals bring to the school, university, and region.

4.  Implement a coordinated School of Fine Arts Wellness Program all of SoFA students, to include connections to local and regional wellness/medical resources.

 

Actions/Measures

  • cultivating and directing increased funding to procure guest lectures, residencies, and professional visual/performing artist appearances
  • using annual SoFA calendar planning meeting as a platform to spur discussions of inter-disciplinary event planning
  • increasing cooperation with NSU Office of International Programs
  • documenting numbers and activities of international students pursuing SoFA classes as majors and non-majors
  • implementing SoFA health/wellness plan with NSU Counseling Center and Director of Counseling

 

Goal 2

Strengthen educational offerings and create more impactful curricular opportunities.

Taking advantage of the rich resources on our campus and in the region, the SoFA will form meaningful partnerships with other NSU academic units, as well as external organizations, identifying new areas of inquiry for students and faculty.

 

Objective 1

Remain current and in good standing with national and state accreditation agencies.

 

Strategies

1.  Concluding NASM re-accreditation process - fall 2020.

2.  Concluded successful NASAD self-study submission – spring 2020; continue planning for NASAD re-accreditation site visit - TBD 2021.

 

Actions/Measures

  • NASAD and NASM self-study processes and timelines underway
  • updating art unit departmental handbook and assessment summaries
  • working with Office of Institutional Effectiveness and School of Fine Arts assessment coordinator to begin revisions of art unit program assessment
  • updating music unit departmental handbook and assessment summaries
  • working with Office of Institutional Effectiveness and School of Fine Arts assessment coordinator to begin revisions of music unit program assessment
  • implementing and tracking curricular revisions for BME

 

Objective 2

Create new academic pathways to meet 21st-century workforce needs.

 

Strategies

1.  Explore additional graduate/online degree programs, in order to leverage NSU’s position as a state leader in the field of professional education.

2.  Identify and propose new professional-level degree programs, in an effort to remain current with industry standards and expectations.

3.  Identify and propose new minors and certificates, in an effort to give students opportunities to emphasize a more robust course of study within their designated major.

4.  Explore opportunities for new interdisciplinary partnerships.

 

Actions/Measures

  • submitted Intent to Plan for new Master of Science in Education (art) degree
  • implementing two new Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in studio art and digital media
  • implementing newly-revised Bachelor of Arts in Theatre degree with multiple emphases (theatre studies, theatre design, musical theatre), which will combine elements and resources of art/theater, as well as interface with other NSU degree programs
  • implementing two new certificates in jazz pedagogy and piano pedagogy
  • implementing new minor in art history

 

Goal 3

Increase base of financial resources to strengthen programmatic excellence.

Leveraging its status as a respected center for the arts, the SoFA will work with the NSU Foundation and NSU administration to grow base of financial support for identified needs.

 

Objective 1

Increase the success of securing external funding

 

Strategies

1.  Grow scholarship and graduate assistantship resources to ensure the SoFA continues to attract the most talented and motivated students.

2.  Increase the amount of discretionary funding available for faculty development, programmatic initiatives, donor cultivation, and recruiting events.

3.  Identify and secure grant opportunities to fund specific advances in degree programs, equipment needs, and outreach activities.

 

Actions/Measures

  • managing and tracking the distribution of new Sanford Dean’s Scholarship pool of unrestricted scholarship funding ($200,000 over eight years)
  • working with NSU Foundation to increase the number of endowed music scholarships available to our students
  • growing and monitoring private funds from the Friends of the Arts/NSU membership group ($350,000 FY 17-21)
  • increasing the number and variety of donor events/connections, in consultation with NSU Foundation and NSU Office of Marketing and Communications
  • identifying and proposing new grant opportunities through NSU Office of Grants and Sponsored Research

 

Objective 2

Provide students and faculty with advanced teaching, research, and performance experiences

 

Strategies

1. Identify and prioritize ongoing equipment and facility improvements through proper approval channels and transparent faculty input.

2.  Link facility upgrades and needs to potential advances in curricula and pedagogy.

3.  Identify potential for future major gifts to the SoFA, matching specific donor interests to existing opportunities within the school.

4.  Engage in substantive and organized planning sessions by department/unit.

 

Actions/Measures

  • managing the 84% increase in NSU Student Association General Activity Fund support for SoFA – tracking request and funding processes through department Chairs
  • creating list of specific needs with NSU Foundation and upper administration (e.g. additional marching band storage and practice area with planned football stadium complex; assorted high-impact musical instruments; additional lighting for JFAC Jewett Theater; MAC Lab computers; dedicated student gallery; outdoor sculpture/ceramics pavilion; CNC router)

 

Goal 4

Develop additional outreach initiatives and partnerships.

Recognizing that collaborations strengthen the community and create new opportunities for students and faculty, the SoFA will develop mutually beneficial relationships with a wide range of local, state, regional, and national partners.

 

Objective 1

Broaden the impact on the region’s K-12 population.

 

Strategies

1. Sustain and expand the menu of SoFA summer offerings that encourage participation from a wider demographic.

2.  Sustain existing initiatives and develop new opportunities to collaborate with K-12 students and the organizations that support them, realizing the pedagogical benefits gained from interacting with younger students in the visual and performing arts.

3.  Continue to support and sustain the state’s arts educators in powerful and meaningful ways.

 

Actions/Measures

  • tracking enrollments for annual institutes, festivals, and summer camps
  • linking on-campus clinics to All-State preparation
  • redefining and rebranding existing clinics and camps
  • expanding the Arts Education Institute to include Band Director Institute and Choir Director Institute – through Arts South Dakota

 

Objective 2

Broaden the collaborative potential with alumni.

 

Strategies

1. Build a vibrant alumni engagement program, to include both in-person and web-based efforts.

2.  Recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of alumni.

3.  Plan and implement special events that utilize and welcome alumni.

 

Actions/Measures

  • tracking and promoting alumni accomplishments through SoFA monthly e-newsletter
  • planning annual SoFA alumni reunions and related activities with NSU Foundation
  • working with NSU Foundation to implement annual Distinguished Alumni Ceremony

 

Objective 3

Broaden the depth of outreach initiatives.

 

Strategies

1. Pursue relationships and regularly occurring collaborations with local, regional, and state arts and business organizations, leveraging the significant benefits of engaging with various entities beyond the reach of campus.

 

Actions/Measures

  • Pursuing more active partnership with South Dakota Public Broadcasting, resulting in new programmatic, fundraising, and publicity collaborations
  • initiating new interdisciplinary arts and lectures series with Primrose Retirement Community, Aberdeen
  • tracking individual and group activities with South Dakota Arts Council

 

Goal 5

Implement coordinated marketing, branding, and publicity strategy.

Recognizing that the SoFA brand should reflect the faculty’s uniquely collaborative vision, the SoFA will promote the strengths and opportunities of a Northern arts experience through a variety of means and strategies.

 

Objective 1

Broaden the School of Fine Arts programmatic brand.

 

Strategies

1. Update the SoFA logo and visual identity to reflect a more interactive and holistic arts experience.

2.  Work with NSU Marketing and Communications Office to generate increased awareness and visibility of programming.

3.  Utilize new media and venues to enhance the visibility of the SoFA and its programs, and to communicate with new audiences within the community.

4.  Conceive of programming and promotion strategies that attract a wider and targeted audience, including children, adults, and families.

5.  Coordinate and combine event planning among the three academic units.

 

Actions/Measures

  • implementing new livestreaming capability for all SoFA concerts and recitals, through the Department of Music Facebook site
  • implementing new “Arts/NSU” brand to communicate unified arts mission
  • updating SoFA website with “25 Live” calendar access and links to event descriptions, images, and box office information
  • tracking database of SoFA monthly e-newsletter contact list
  • streamlining a consistent and unified marketing plan with NSU Marketing and Communications Office

 

Objective 2

Increase professionalism in facility management

 

Strategies

1.  Maximize and improve patron experience at all SoFA events.

2.  Continue to update SoFA website, making it increasingly accessible, navigable, and comprehensive.

 

Actions/Measures

  • tracking data from Vendini ticketing system and JFAC box office
  • reorganizing student work study duties to include stage management, house management, and usher responsibilities
  • setting up new system of performance and production reporting for all SoFA-sponsored and outside events, under supervision of Production Manager/Theater Manager