The College of Fine and Applied Arts began with the founding of the School of Architecture in 1871, which was originally a department of the College of Engineering.1,2 In 1915 the School became the College of Architecture, separating from the College of Engineering.3 The first drawing teacher was hired in 18714 and the School of Art first appears in the records in 1876.5 The School of Design was proposed in 18766 and implemented in 1877.7 In 1931 the title of the Department of Art and Design was changed to the Department of Art.8
Musical activities at the University began in 1870, when a group of sixteen students requested and received brass instruments and instruction for a military band for the University Battalion.9 Keyboard instruction was offered by 187210 and in 1876 an organ and director acquired for the formation of a choir for daily chapel exercise.11 After several year's discussion, the Department of Music was established in 1895.12
A proposal was made by the University Senate on October 3, 1921 to organize the Department of Architecture, the Division of Landscape Architecture, the School of Music and the Department of Art and Design into a College of Fine Arts. A committee of the faculty was appointed in 1928 to make recommendations which were approved by the Senate on February 2, 1930. On March 12, 1931, the Board of Trustees established the college for the "... cultivation of esthetic taste on the part of the student body at large ... and development of general artistic appreciation."13 The first dean, Rexford Newcomb, was appointed in 1932.14 Attemting to establish a permanent art collection at the University, dean Newcomb established the biennial Festival of Contemporary Arts in 1948.
Under Allen S. Weller, who was dean from 1954 to 1971, the College founded the Krannert Art Museum and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Weller was succeeded by Jack McKenzie, who acted as dean from 1971 to 1991. Mckenzie was followed by deans Donald Wick (1993-2001), Kathleen Conlin (2001-2005), Robert Graves (2007-2018), Kevin Hamilton (2018-2024), and Jake Pinholster (2024-present).
Sources:1. Board of Trustees Transactions, 4th Report, 1870-71, p. 33.
2. Board of Trustees Transactions, 5th Report, 1871-72, p. 40.
3. Board of Trustees Transactions, 28th Report, May 22, 1915, p. 439.
4. Board of Trustees Transactions, 4th Report, August 2, 1871, p. 137.
5. Board of Trustees Transactions, 8th Report, 1876 Circular.
6. Board of Trustees Transactions, 8th Report, June 6, 1876, p. 183.
7. Board of Trustees Transactions, 9th Report, 1877, p. 21.
8. Board of Trustees Transactions, 36th Report, June 26, 1931, p. 374.
9. Board of Trustees Transactions, 4th Report, November 10, 1870, p. 122.
10. Board of Trustees Transactions, 6th Report, 1872-73, p. 55.
11. Board of Trustees Transactions, 9th Report, 1876/78, p. 10.
12. Board of Trustees Transactions, 18th Report, March 2, 1895, p. 73.
13. Board of Trustees Transactions, 36th Report, March 12, 1931, p. 186-87.
14. Board of Trustees Transactions, 36th(?) Report, March 8, 1932, p. 547.
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