Message from the Dean Peter Campbell
School of Contemporary Arts

As the college embarks on its initiative to reach G.O.L.D. “Graduates of the Last Decade,” I would like to a share few notes about the school that you might find of interest.

The School of Contemporary Arts is moving boldly into the future, creating our first graduate program and continuing to develop and adapt our current programs to the demands of our students and the career marketplace. And making the arts the linchpin of the Ramapo community.

Our Master of Fine Arts in Creative Music technology will be available beginning in Fall 2021, and will provide a new program for current undergrads and returning adults to prepare themselves for careers in music production and composition as well as a terminal MFA degree, which will mean they can also find jobs teaching in colleges and universities. With this program we are building on the strengths of our undergraduate programs and our resources such as the Les Paul Studio.

This year we have also finalized the plans for our new Contemporary Arts Pathways Program. The primary goal of this initiative is to help students prepare for the transition from college to the professional world. Our plan has three components: enhancement of our Co-op/internship program; the formalization of a CA artist/lecture series to bring working artists and professionals to speak and work with our students; and an “Identity and Reflection” component, which asks students to formulate and share their thoughts about themselves and their personal and career goals. All CA students are required to do an internship as a part of their college career, and Pathways will help them make the most of those opportunities.

We’re also increasing our collaborations with the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts, including alumni events hosted by the concentration in Electronic Arts and Animation and the Theater program, concerts by faculty members Mack Brandon and Ben Neill, and screenings of new films by artists such as Brooklyn Demme. We see the center as a place to use the arts to bring together the entire school and the larger community for important cultural and artistic experiences, and hope you’ll join us for as many events as you can.

I hope to see you on campus for one of our events, or feel free to reach out to me if you’re going to be around and would like to catch up and chat about Contemporary Arts at Ramapo!

If you’re not already a G.O.L.D. member, please take a few moments to register using the form below:

Register for CA GOLD Alumni