The purpose of this study was to understand how fine art teachers viewed the quality of their programs within public school settings. The purpose was to also learn how funding can potentially affect the quality of a fine arts program from the stories of public high school fine arts educators. Goodson's theory of educational change was used to…

This study examines the educational journey and professional challenges faced by performing artists holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. Utilizing an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology, the research delves into the lived experiences of ten BFA holders in the performing arts, exploring their motivations, career…

In response to the federal Race to the Top grant initiative that aimed to increase teacher accountability, the state of Tennessee created the Tennessee Student Growth Portfolio Model (TSGPM) to evaluate its non-tested teachers. This optional alternate evaluation model for non-tested teachers was developed and piloted by fine arts educators in the…

The process of professional actor training is one that requires vulnerability and often leads to self-discovery. At the same time, studies have shown that the impact of acting on performers is complex and can also lead to psychological trauma. This dissertation addressed the questions (a) What are the experiences of former students of BFA Actor…

Individuals with a growth mindset believe they have the ability to learn (Dweck, 2006). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the shared lived experiences connected to growth mindset, self-efficacy, and grit in a population of undergraduate students at a private women's university in the Midwest who participate…

This study examined overall success and creativity in students taking STEM courses at a Midwestern community college. There were four hypotheses in this study. The first was that STEM majors who had taken one or more fine arts courses would report a higher GPA than STEM majors who have not taken fine arts courses. The second was that there would…

This qualitative case study asks current students and alumni of a Master of Fine Arts/Studio Arts program in the United States about their experiences in and with critique in their degree program. The purpose of this study is to understand the nature of critique and add empirical research to the growing scholarly conversation about the…

Community colleges throughout the United States have declared "global competence" as a learning objective for their students since the last decade of the 20th century. The North Carolina (NC) Community College system is no exception, as its statewide mission statement lists preparing students to be globally competent as a goal for all 58…

The type of schedule configuration employed by a school directly impacts engagement and outcomes for high school band students. Research indicates unique benefits and obstacles in block, hybrid, and traditional schedule configurations. While much research on high school band has examined achievement, participation, and instruction, there is a…

The problem to be addressed by this study was the lack of student retention on the part of community college students, how that was perceived by faculty, staff, and students, and how retention could potentially be impacted by student participation in fine arts courses and activities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine fine arts…

If we were to believe all the rhetoric around massive open online courses (MOOCs) just a few years ago, we were witnessing "the" revolution in higher education. David Brooks of the "New York Times" described the arrival of MOOCs as a "tsunami" (2012). Though much of the excitement has died down, the number of MOOCs…

Traditional art foundations models focus on teaching freshman level art students strategies of visual composition through the use of the elements and principles of design. These visual qualities are presented as the fundamental basis for all art compositions. Rooted in the early 20th century modernist concept of formalism, the elements and…

This narrative-based qualitative research investigated the distinct journeys of eight cross-cultural artists (four artists from South Korea and four artists from China). Utilizing a variety of theoretical frameworks surrounding cross-cultural research, this dissertation examined current discussions on cross-cultural challenges and their…

The purpose of this case study was to explore how two people with language-based learning disabilities, who have graduated from Masters of Fine Arts Master's (MFA) programs describe their coping mechanisms, career aspirations, and identity development as a result of being involved in the creative arts. This qualitative study was conducted with…

This qualitative case study illustrated perceptions of seven fine arts teachers who were veteran participants in an ePortfolio evaluation method (with three or more years participation). The research questions centered on professional growth, reflection, and the impact ePortfolio had on the craft of teaching. A blended conceptual framework of…