The early 2010s spawned numerous global phenomena: Instagram and Snapchat were born, “Frozen” became a family-favorite Disney movie and the Tumblr aesthetic thrived. In 2012, the “Pitch Perfect” movie was released and a cappella music became all the rage. These years saw advancements in music, dance and design programs as well as an impressive number of awards across departments.

The early 2000s were all about big dreams, bold moves and unforgettable stories. BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications was right there, living its own blockbuster moment — where “High School Musical” energy meets “The Prestige” level of artistry. With world-premiere operas, museum exhibitions and student achievements, this era was nothing short of cinematic. Students, faculty and alumni were living Mariah Carrey’s “We Belong Together.”

Pull on your bell bottoms, grab your favorite tie-dyed item and hop in the time machine — we are boogying back to an era when disco ruled, hair was big and BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications was making some groovy advancements. From founding new dancing and management groups to traveling to new countries, these fourteen years were fundamental in the CFAC’s history. It is time to dust off your records and blast this decade’s greatest hits. They’re more than just far-out — their legacies will last forever.

Between 1925 and 1969, the foundation for the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University was firmly established. These formative decades saw more than just the creation of departments or the construction of buildings — they represented a deliberate and determined effort to make the arts and communications central to the university’s mission. In fact, any of BYU’s esteemed performance groups were established during this time period.

This decade was truly dynamite. From 1995 to 2005, the College of Fine Arts and Communications at BYU celebrated entering a new era with Olympic performances and the production of a cult-classic family film. CFAC students, faculty and alumni left their mark on the creative world both locally and globally. This article notes just a few of the milestones that shaped the college at the turn of the century — an era of tours, awards and yes, even "Napoleon Dynamite."

Hold onto your scrunchies and crank up the boombox to hear CFAC’s gnarly accomplishments from the 80s and 90s. From accreditation milestones, museum openings and student-led innovations, the college was straight-up killin’ it. Whether you are a child of the 80s or just vibin’ with the vintage, get ready for a blast from the past that really is all that and a bag of chips.

The late 2010s brought new collaborations between students and professional musicians, photography from around the world, the first in a succession of Faith+Works lectures from CFAC faculty, partnerships with nonprofits and more! In these years, students across disciplines continued to flourish creatively as the college opened new doors and offered new opportunities.

Throughout 2020 and 2025, the School of Communications and the Department of Theatre and Media Arts have continued to evolve to support students and their learning on and off campus. Check out some highlights of the past few years below!

From groundbreaking design programs to international recognition in fine arts, the past five years have marked an era of innovation, impact and inspiration at the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Whether it is a student film reaching Oscar heights, an immersive art installation honoring a beloved concert hall, or a new major shaping the future of product design, these stories show how BYU students and faculty continue to create work that resonates far beyond campus.

Between 2020 and 2025, BYU’s stages, studios and concert halls pulsed with creativity, resilience and innovation. From cross-training ballerinas and international punk tours to once-in-a-lifetime collaborations with legends like Itzhak Perlman, these years showcased the depth and diversity of music and dance at BYU. Students trained through setbacks, performed across continents and honored legacy while creating new traditions of their own.