The College of Fine Arts Living-Learning Community (LLC) is a dynamic community designed for students studying theatre, music, dance, and visual arts. This LLC provides an enriching environment where residents can immerse themselves in both the performing and visual arts, fostering creativity and collaboration among peers with similar passions.

Students in the College of Fine Arts LLC have the opportunity to explore their artistic passions through a variety of activities, including discussions, gallery showcases, and performances. The community also offers unique events like theatre trips and opportunities to engage with professionals in the field, allowing students to gain firsthand insights and build connections in their areas of interest.

Thanks to strong academic partnerships, Ball State faculty members actively support LLC participants by facilitating connections with upper-level students, teaching professional skills, and providing unique, hands-on experiences within the arts community.

Academic Peer Mentors:
Alana Halsted (Art)
Hannah Fox (Performing Arts)

Discover the vibrant life of our College of Fine Arts Living-Learning Community on Instagram! Stay updated on what's going on and see what makes the community special.

CFA LLC INSTAGRAM

Residence Hall

Schmidt/Wilson Residence Hall

Located in the north residential neighborhood and renovated in 2017, Schmidt/Wilson Hall is the home of the College of Fine Arts Living-Learning Community.

Schmidt/Wilson provides students with close access to North Dining Hall, the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center, three close-by residence halls, and several academic buildings.

This state-of-the-art residence hall has centralized air conditioning, free WIFI, a fitness room, spacious lounges and study spaces, a game room, a music room, a design studio, a dance studio, and a black box theatre.

The hall is coed and has semi-private bathrooms (a bathroom shared by a small number of students). Furniture within the hall is loftable, allowing students to truly tailor their living space.

Learn More

Join Ball State University's College of Fine Arts (CFA) Signature Experience, where academic excellence meets vibrant community living!

All students in the College of Fine Arts are required to complete CFA-111, Introduction to the College of Fine Arts; this is typically offered in a class section size of 90 students, but through the CFA Signature Experience, we invite interested students to complete this requirement in a smaller cohort of 20-25 students and in connection with the resource rooms of Schmidt-Wilson Residence Hall.

Participants of the CFA Signature Experience ensures not only guaranteed LLC residence hall placement but also a transformative journey of academic and personal growth, shaping lifelong connections and fostering a deep sense of belonging.

  • Must be a first-year student.
  • Must have a major declared in the College of Fine Arts.
  • Must have a roommate who also has a major in the CFA.
  • Guaranteed room space in Schmidt/Wilson Residence Hall, ensuring a room (bedspace) in the hall with your Living-Learning Community. 
  • Opportunities to meet and develop valuable connections and relationships with faculty and staff early in your academic journey.
  • Priority to participate in LLC experiences and opportunities, offering an interdisciplinary off-campus experience.
Students have five days to accept their offer before it expires.
CFA Signature Experience participants are required to have a roommate who is also a student in the College of Fine Arts.
The connected class will be listed on your transcript like any other class you enroll in. 
No, the program is free. The connected class will appear as credit hours you are enrolled in, just like any other class you enroll in when it comes to the billing of tuition. 

Experiences

Each Living-Learning Community has notable programming for students. For the College of Fine Arts LLC this includes:

  • Guest Artists: Some of the most emblematic of the LLC programs are inviting guest artists into the space to facilitate workshops with students. In the past, the Art & Design LLC has hosted Dee Parson ($uper Dee) who spoke about his experience as an Animator in Indiana. During this event, students workshopped cartoons with Dee and were able to ask questions.

  • Trips: The College of Fine Arts LLC has taken yearly trips to Indiana Museum of Art: Newfields for a guided art reflection tour. The trip provides active LLC students an opportunity to connect with peers, discuss the art, and experience the exhibits alongside a museum professional.
  • Attending Shows: Attending theatre shows is a core activity of the CFA LLC programming model. In the past, the LLC has conducted off-campus trips to Indianapolis to see different productions.
  • Talkbacks: The CFA LLC plans a series of “talkbacks” – a type of event that includes attending a production and conversation with the cast and crew following curtain close. These are conducted throughout the academic semesters and typically align with Ball State productions. Talkbacks are perfect for LLC students seeking to engage critically with productions.
  • Masterclass Series: The Masterclass Series model has brought people to the LLC to facilitate classes on various topics pertaining to the CFA LLC. In the past, upperclassmen have taught dance sets from shows, and during audition season a focus has been on callbacks or monologues. The goal of the Masterclass Series is to deliver a co-circular experience.

Resource Room

The College of Fine Arts Living-Learning Community, located in Schmidt/Wilson Residence Hall, provides unique spaces for students to enhance their artistic and academic pursuits. Students have access to a fully equipped resource room, offering adjustable desk spaces, light tables, digital drawing tables, and secure lockers for storing projects and equipment. These amenities create an ideal environment for students to work on individual or group projects.

Additionally, students can utilize a dedicated Dance Studio and Black Box Theatre, perfect for those in the theatre and dance programs. These spaces allow students to prepare for auditions, rehearse for productions, and even record audition reels. Whether you're a visual artist or a performing artist, the College of Fine Arts LLC offers a flexible and inspiring environment to nurture your talents and support your academic growth.

Academic Partner:

Majors:

  • Art
  • Art Education
  • Graphic Arts Management
  • Visual Arts/Animation
  • Dance
  • Jazz Studies
  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Music Media Production
  • Music Performance
  • Theatre
  • Theatre, Teaching
                             

Learn About All of Our Living-Learning Communities

Our Living-Learning Communities are part of a university-wide set of programs that provide a supportive environment for students living on campus.

Living-Learning Communities

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