Bethel University Launches School of Visual & Performing Arts

MCKENZIE, Tenn. — Bethel University announced the launch of the School of Visual & Performing Arts, bringing Art, Music and the University's nationally recognized Renaissance Performing Arts Experience together in a single creative home within the College of Arts & Sciences. The new school spans seven program areas: Art, Music, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Business, Music Production and Renaissance.

The move marks a milestone for Renaissance, one of Bethel's most beloved and distinctive traditions. For more than two decades, Renaissance has operated as a premier co-curricular program, offering performing artists the same scholarship support as student-athletes and sending graduates to national stages and screens. Those defining characteristics remain unchanged, and this new structure further secures and strengthens the tradition Renaissance has become and will continue to be at Bethel. Now, for the first time, Renaissance joins Bethel's academic structure, placing the program alongside the University's arts degree programs and giving every student artist at Bethel, whether painting in a studio, composing in a practice room, mixing in a recording studio or performing under stage lights, one shared creative foundation and one identity.

"The arts have always been part of Bethel’s DNA," said Dr. Perry Moulds, President of Bethel University. "Our mission calls us to equip students to transform the world, and few things transform the world like art. This new school gives our students a richer, more collaborative place to develop those gifts."

Why Bring These Programs Together

The decision to unite the visual and performing arts grew out of a simple observation: Bethel's creative programs had already grown intertwined in practice, if not yet in structure. Vocal music education majors took the stage in Renaissance musical theatre productions, while Bluegrass performers pursued degrees in music production. Art students assisted with the sets, props, and costumes for productions. The new school formalizes what students were already accomplishing, dissolving the boundaries between disciplines in favor of shared resources, cross-disciplinary faculty expertise and creative opportunities spanning every art form.

"This new structure allows us to invest more intentionally in every art form we offer," said Dr. Joe Hames, University Provost. "It gives our faculty and students the framework to grow together and gives the arts the standing they deserve at Bethel."

The Academic Excellence of Art & Music at Bethel

Art and Music have each held a place at Bethel since the early 2000s. The Music department has built a strong record of excellence across its degree offerings, including Music Education, Music Performance, Music Business and Music Production, preparing graduates for successful careers as educators from elementary classrooms to college campuses, music ministers, touring artists and producers. Students perform in recitals and community concerts, including appearances by the University Singers with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. They also present recording production projects, attend professional conferences, and complete internships in music production and music business.

The Art department has built its own reputation for depth, pairing studio work across drawing, painting, sculpture and digital media with art history and theory, culminating in a senior thesis exhibition that showcases each graduate's work. A visiting artist series brings guest exhibitions and presentations to campus each semester, and Art graduates go on to careers as studio and business owners, teachers, freelance artists, and in fields spanning music and acting.

The Renaissance Legacy

Renaissance was built on an innovative premise: performing artists deserve the same scholarship support as student-athletes. That idea broadened Bethel's reach, fueled enrollment growth and grew into the Renaissance Performing Arts Experience, spanning four divisions: Vocal, Instrumental, Theatre and Production.

Today, Renaissance students lead worship in chapel, perform in diverse vocal and instrumental ensembles, present full-scale theatrical productions, and operate professional-grade sound, lighting and video, all while pursuing any major the University offers and receiving substantial scholarship support. Renaissance alumni have gone on to national stages and screens, including "The Voice" finalist Mandi Thomas-Moore, actor Nick Darnell and touring musician Garrett Anderson of Dailey and Vincent.

A New Home Within the College of Arts & Sciences

The School of Visual & Performing Arts will be housed within the College of Arts & Sciences, connecting Bethel's student artists to the full breadth of the University's liberal arts tradition.  

"The arts teach students to see, to listen and to create with purpose," said Dr. Keith D. Herris, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. "As a musician, I have watched the arts shape lives at Bethel for nearly 20 years. Housing this new school within the College of Arts & Sciences connects our student artists to the full richness of a liberal arts education while giving the arts a home of their own. I could not be more excited about what this means for our students."

Together, these programs form a complete creative ecosystem where students sharpen their craft, collaborate across disciplines and prepare to carry the arts into classrooms, churches, studios, stages and communities around the world.

Dr. C. Scott Shepherd Named Associate Dean

Dr. C. Scott Shepherd has been named Associate Dean of the School of Visual & Performing Arts. Shepherd currently serves as Interim Executive Director of the Renaissance Performing Arts Experience after previously serving as Associate Director of the Renaissance Program, giving him a deep familiarity with the program's artistic standards, operational structure and students.

Shepherd brings more than two decades of experience in performing arts administration and leadership across higher education, nonprofit, church and community settings. He has overseen large-scale concerts, conferences, statewide choral initiatives and complex artistic productions, and his background includes executive leadership roles within the Southern Baptist Church Music Conference and the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference. He holds a Doctor of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter University.

"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role," said Shepherd. "Bringing Art, Music and Renaissance together allows us to create an even more connected and fulfilling student experience. Our goal is to help students grow academically, artistically and professionally while giving them opportunities to collaborate, create and prepare for meaningful careers in the arts and beyond."

About Bethel University

Founded in 1842, Bethel University has spent nearly 185 years helping students turn their talents into purpose. Located in McKenzie, Tennessee, within two hours of both Nashville and Memphis, Bethel is a Christian community of nearly 3,000 students from 33 states and 41 countries. The University's mission is to equip individuals for a life of service through academic, spiritual, social and experiential learning to go forth and transform the world. With 52 undergraduate programs and nine graduate programs, Bethel aims to be a leader in student-centered education through innovative academics, character formation and life skills development. For more information, visit bethelu.edu.