Arts Opportunities for All UT Students
The College of Fine Arts offers many opportunities that are open to all students at The University of Texas at Austin.
Attend performances. Visit galleries.
The College of Fine Arts presents more than 500 music, theatre and dance performances annually. Most of these events offer free or discounted student tickets. Texas Performing Arts, our hub for world-class live performance and visiting artists, offers $10 student tickets and exclusive access to their programming through their Bass Pass student membership program.
Landmarks, the university’s public art program, offers more than 50 works of modern and contemporary art throughout the 433-acre campus that are viewed by thousands of people every day.
The Visual Arts Center, located in the Department of Art and Art History, is a spacious contemporary art gallery spanning 13,000 square feet. It features rotating exhibitions by both national and international artists, as well as exhibitions of student artwork.
Outside the College of Fine Arts, galleries across campus offer additional opportunities to view art and archival materials, from the Blanton Museum of Art to the Art Galleries at Black Studies to the Harry Ransom Center, a humanities research library and museum.
Pursue Minors and Certificates
Students may choose from among more than 150 different minors and certificates across campus, including several related to arts, design and creativity, including:
- Minor in Art History
- Minor in Arts Management & Administration
- Minor in Studio Art
- Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Design Strategies
- Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Digital Arts and Media
- Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Museum Studies
- Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship
Take Classes in the Arts
Many classes in the College of Fine Arts are open to all UT students. Below is a sampling of some classes available to all majors. Check the UT course schedule for specific course listings, as offerings vary by semester.
- Drawing for Non-Majors
- Photography for Non-Majors
- Modern Art of Mexico
- Introduction to Western Music
- Jazz Appreciation
- Fundamentals of Acting
- Introduction to Improvisational Drama
- Dance/Identity/Cultural Expression
- Costume, Culture and Change on Stage and Screen
- Sketching for Thinking & Communication
- Foundations of Arts and Entertainment Technologies
Performance Opportunities
Students of all majors are invited to perform with Dance Action, a student organization that produces a full-length dance concert every semester.
All students may audition for theatre productions, including performances in the department season, individual student works and student organization projects.
In the Butler School of Music, there are more than 20 ensembles that welcome all UT majors to audition. These ensembles include Longhorn Band, Symphony Orchestra, Opera Ensemble, Concert Chorale, Jazz Orchestra, Marimba Band, Mariachi Paredes and many more. In addition, private lessons are available in most instruments.
Make and Build
Texas Performing Arts’ Fabrication Studios provide students the opportunity to learn and receive training in fabrication practices for live performance, film, television, themed attractions and art installations. These studios utilize both traditional fabrication techniques and state-of-the-art technologies. Students can engage in projects by taking courses that are open to all UT students.
The Foundry is a collaborative makerspace located in the Fine Arts Library, accessible to all UT students. This space provides various resources, including 3D printers, laser cutters, VR headsets, a recording studio, sewing machines and more.
The Game Development and Design Program supports undergraduates with career interests in gaming, interactive/immersive and creative industries.
Join a Student Organization
Center Space Project, an undergraduate student-run arts collective that works collaboratively with the Visual Arts Center to provide students with opportunities to organize and curate exhibitions.
Latinx Theatre Initiative gathers to promote and perform Latino and Hispanic stories, as well as build community.
Hook 'em Arts is the student voice of Texas Performing Arts. The purpose of the organization is to increase student engagement and awareness of Texas Performing Arts so that it becomes an integral component of campus life and to connect with other students who enjoy the arts.
Electronic Game Developers Society (EGaDS!), a group of interdisciplinary game development students. They provide insights into the creation of games and equip students with the skills and confidence to start developing their own games.
The University of Texas Guild of Carillonneurs maintains a regular ringing schedule of the Kniker Carillon during the academic year, furthers the musical education of its members through performance and instruction, performs at official functions of the university, and encourages general interest in the Carillon at the University of Texas.
Don't see what you're looking for? HornsLink has more than 1,000 registered student organizations on the UT campus. Explore their directory at the link below to find your fit.
Volunteer in the Arts
The Landmarks Preservation Guild maintains the works of art in the collection and keeps the university’s campus a beautiful and engaging place. Volunteers learn and apply basic conservation skills to works of art so they may be enjoyed by future generations.
Landmarks Docents lead the campus community and visitors on tours of the public art collection. Docents build awareness about modern and contemporary art, ensuring all visitors have an enjoyable and enriching experience.