Department: Performing and Fine Arts

The Department of Performing and Fine Arts at York College offers degree programs in Studio Art, Art History, Music, Speech Communications / Theatre Arts, and Communications Technology.

"Styles upon styles upon styles is what I have,” boasts Queens-formed A Tribe Called Quest in their 1991 hit "Buggin’ Out". Proud of the long history of artistic experimentation in the borough, our faculty has been at the forefront of innovative arts initiatives for over a century. We firmly believe that the “styles upon styles upon styles” that propel artistic expression are not only fundamental to the health of society but also crucial in imagining more just and equitable futures. Under the founding ideals of our liberal arts college, we guide students in creating and performing their art, instilling in them an appreciation for the conceptual, historical, social, and cultural heritages that surround us.

Our standards of excellence and inclusivity match our scope. We guide students in cultivating their interests, as well as in community-building for mutual support in the arts. We teach the intellectual, emotional, and imaginative rigors of creativity, imparting technical skills, visual literacy, and the power of sensitive listening, close looking, and deep thinking. By opening up to the possibilities of artistic engagement and free thought, students are empowered to develop their signature styles and voices. They learn how to nurture and appreciate those of others, cultivating the sensibilities necessary for sharing the world and changing it for the collective flourishing of all.

We’d like to know … 

“What’s your style?”