POINTERS ARE CREATIVE
The College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point provides students with a secure and encouraging community in which to grow and flourish. We offer our students highly respected faculty and programs which are also enriched through the participation of other nationally and internationally recognized scholars and artists.

Message from the Dean

Headshot of man in a suit smiling at the camera.

As I begin my second year as Dean, I continue to be inspired by the creativity, energy, and dedication that define our college community. Reflecting on my first year, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that we accomplished together. It was truly an outstanding year marked by artistic achievement, academic excellence, meaningful collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success and creativity.

One of the greatest strengths of our college is our exceptional faculty. Their talent, mentorship, and passion for teaching create transformative experiences for our students every day. Our faculty members are accomplished professionals and scholars who bring creativity, innovation, and real-world experience into the classroom, studio, stage, and community. Our students also continue to impress and inspire me. Their creativity, hard work, and willingness to explore new ideas are at the heart of everything we do. Whether performing, creating, researching, designing, producing, or leading, our students represent the very best of the College of Fine Arts and Communication.

Equally important is the positive and supportive community we have built together. During my first year as Dean, I witnessed countless examples of collaboration, encouragement, and shared purpose among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners. That spirit of connection and belonging makes our college a truly special place where people are empowered to grow, create, and succeed.

As we look ahead, I am excited about the opportunities before us and confident in the future of our college. Together, we will continue to foster creativity, innovation, and excellence while preparing our students to make meaningful contributions in their professions and communities.

If you are a potential student considering one of our programs, I invite you to visit the College of Fine Arts and Communication. I am proud of our faculty and student achievements and believe our programs provide an exceptional environment for creativity, collaboration, and professional growth. We are committed to helping students develop their talents, expand their perspectives, and prepare for meaningful careers in the arts and communication fields. I encourage you to visit our campus, meet our faculty and students, and experience firsthand the energy and opportunities that make the College of Fine Arts and Communication such a special place to learn and grow.

Dr. Stuart M. Benkert

View Dr. Benkert’s Profile

Inspire | Create | Achieve

Our mission is to provide a community in which we inspire, create and achieve. This community is centered on our students, who come first in our decision-making process.

School of Design and Communication

Careers in visual arts, design, and communication are evolving as technologies, audiences, and delivery systems change. At UW-Stevens Point, personal attention from faculty and staff prepares you for today’s jobs and will help you develop abilities to adapt to jobs of tomorrow.

Departments of Music and Theatre and Dance

School of Performing Arts

UW-Stevens Point is a special place for performance students. The School of Performing Arts is large enough to offer a variety of experiences and challenges, and small enough that our students receive the individual attention they need.

Aber Suzuki Center and American Suzuki Institute

Suzuki Programs

UW-Stevens Point Suzuki programs teach using the philosophical principles and music education methods developed by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. We nurture, motivate and inspire students, parents and teachers to incorporate these principles into their lives. At the heart of the Suzuki philosophy is the idea that everyone has talent and can become a successful, sensitive and caring person through the study of music in the Suzuki method.

Why Choose a program in the College of Fine Arts and Communication?

Our mission is extended equally to those on and off campus. We live in an inspired community in which to learn and create. Students explore beyond the classroom through professional organizations, performances and exhibitions. Our students lead through action.
 

Scholarships and Awards

UWSP offers many scholarship opportunities for students. In addition, COFAC annually recognizes and rewards an exceptional graduating UWSP student in performing or visual arts by providing a $5,000 investment in their potential to become a successful leading artist in their field with the Melvin R. Laird Exceptional Artist Award.
 

Advocacy, Allyship and Access

UWSP is committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and accessible educational environment for all of our students. Our Advocacy, Allyship and Access Committee in the Department of Theatre & Dance has created a five-year Action Plan devoted to reviewing and renewing this commitment in the areas of Artistic Inclusion, Community Outreach, Student Concerns, Curriculum, and Faculty Recruitment and Development.
 

COFAC Alumni

​Whether you are a recent graduate or a longtime alum, you can make an important difference for today’s students in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. By volunteering to share your story, your network, your career advice, and your successes, you can help guide students through the start of their professional lives as they discover their purpose. You are a vital part of our Pointer family, and we look forward to hearing from you!

 

Giving Opportunities

Donors can choose to make a planned gift, create a student scholarship, or donate to individual funds to support COFAC students. We are very proud of the long-established, excellent programs in the college and hope that you will consider helping us maintain our presence in the community. Remember, the better our students and graduates do, the better your alma mater looks in terms of quality and reputation.
 

ACCREDITATION

The College of Fine Arts and Communication at UW-Stevens Point is accredited by the following professional associations:

NASAD

National Association of Schools of Art & Design

Founded in 1944, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 349 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other art/design-related endeavors.

National Association of Schools of Art and Design
NASD

National Association of Schools of Dance

Founded in 1981, the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 83 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for dance and dance-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other dance-related endeavors.

NASM

National Association of Schools of Music

Founded in 1924, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 637 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other music-related endeavors.

NAST

National Association of Schools of Theatre

Founded in 1965, the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 193 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for theatre and theatre-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other theatre-related endeavors.

CIDA

Council for Interior Design Accreditation

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization for interior design education programs at colleges and universities in the United States and internationally.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation

COFAC Dean’s Office Staff

Profile Photo: Monique Gambrell

Monique Gambrell

  • Assistant to the Dean for Budget, Personnel and Administr…
Profile Photo: Joe Seubert

Joe Seubert

  • Major Gifts Officer, University Advancement
Profile Photo: Bobbie Erwin

Bobbie Erwin

  • Marketing & Communication Design Specialist, College of F…
Profile Photo: Ihor Bardachiwski

Ihor Bardachiwski

  • COFAC Computer Support Technician
102 Noel Fine Arts Center

upcoming cofac events

The College of Fine Arts and Communication offers more than 500 events open to the public each academic year! These include dance, music, and theater performances, master classes, guest artists, gallery exhibitions, SPTV broadcasts, WWSP radio programs, media and video productions among many other student-created pieces.

While the academic year has concluded, we have an exciting summer ahead! Watch our website for the 2026-27 theatre and dance season announcement, free public concerts during the American Suzuki Institute this July, Carlsten Gallery exhibits and more!

programs in the college of fine arts and communication