students in disparate locations
learning online through the use of
video and virtual reality technology.
The school’s plans also reflect the
need to prepare arts students to not
only create and succeed in their
chosen fields, but also to be small
business owners. “Their product is
their talent,” says Dr. Snyder, “and
all artists have to be able to market
themselves, to advance themselves,
to take advantage of social media and
public relations, to not only compete
but to manage their business.”
Farrell highlights the need for artists
to be business-savvy in response to
the changing demand for working
artists as well as the expanding supply
of talent. “It’s a double-edged sword
– there’s so much content [through
streaming services and internet
series in addition to traditional film
and television] and dissemination is
so easy, but also there are way more
film composers than ever now. The
competition is very strong. You can
buy a Mac laptop, get good with
[composition software] Garage Band,
and become a film composer. There
are many people getting into [film
scoring] without formal training so
the competition is very tough.”
As students face the democratization
of access to arts production capabilities,
LBSCFA faculty are intensely focused
on helping them take advantage of
the multi-disciplinary offerings of the
other JU colleges. The evolution of
the fine arts curriculum will further
enhance the entrepreneurship and arts
business offerings available to students
of the College.
Dr. Marguerite Richardson, Associate Professor of Strings and
Music Director of the Jacksonville University Orchestra
26
F E AT U R E S
T H E N E X T AC T
As the Linda Berry Stein College of
Fine Arts lifts up the classical arts
foundation alongside new media,
advancing technological platforms
and collaborative physical space,
Dean Snyder and his colleagues
are racing toward their goal of
being a premier destination for arts
education in the Southeast - and the
first choice for their most talented
students. For the College’s next act,
Dean Snyder envisions expanding
the school’s community outreach,
increasing the visibility of its fine arts
assets, and expanding the diversity
of perspectives, experiences and
platforms among the student body. As
Dean Snyder looks toward that future,
he says “All the pieces are in alignment
to make this vision happen.”