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.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Museum of Art | 2010
In 1909, BYU began its art collection with “The Sycamore Tree” by Utah impressionist painter John Hafen. Donated by J. William Knight, this gift inaugurated a century of art collecting at BYU and a legacy of philanthropy that has enriched the culture of the university and the community at large. From December 2009 to September 2010, museum attendees could see a collection of 150 pieces of artwork in the Marian Adelaide Morris Cannon Gallery. This show told the remarkable story of the development of the university art collection over its first century.
Department of Dance Joins the CFAC | 2010
The Department of Dance joined the CFAC after the dissolution of the College of Health and Human Performance bringing all of the arts at BYU under one administrative umbrella. BYU is recognized nationally for their programs in modern dance, ballet, folk dance and ballroom dance, as well as academic offerings in dance history and dance education. The department’s ensembles have traveled extensively throughout the world and garnered a consistent record of international acclaim in competition and performance.
Center for Animation Is Established | 2010
In 2010, BYU established the Center for Animation — a collaborative effort between the College of Fine Arts and Communications, the College of Engineering and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The center quickly gained recognition, winning both a Student Emmy and a Student Academy Award in its first year. Now, many BYU alumni have secured positions at leading animation studios such as Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks.
Thousands Trek to See ‘Carl Bloch: The Master’s Hand’ | 2010
Between November 12, 2010, and May 7, 2011, more than 200,000 students, faculty and visitors trekked to see the Museum of Art’s exhibit “Carl Bloch: The Master’s Hand.” The exhibition went live 120 years after Bloch’s death. Nearly 30 of Bloch's original pieces were displayed together for the first time at the BYU Museum of Art, including four large altarpieces never before removed from their original churches in Denmark and Sweden.
BYU AdLab Wins a Professional Pencil | 2011
In 2011, BYU's AdLab made history by becoming the first student-run advertising agency to win a bronze pencil from The One Show. This prestigious award was for a music video that featured a Guinness World Record attempt for the world's largest water balloon fight — a fight consisting of over 3,900 participants and 120,000 water balloons.
Theatre Ballet’s 40th Anniversary | 2011
To celebrate, Theatre Ballet performed Prokofiev’s “Cinderella.” Assistant professor and choreographer Shani Robison dreamt of coordinating the orchestra and ballet in one large-scale performance. After receiving $30,000 in grants, four departments under the College of Fine Arts and Communications came together to make her dream come true. The show consisted of 30 dancers and 98 orchestra members, conducted by professor Kory Katseanes. On Valentine's weekend, the event sold out almost immediately — a first in Theatre Ballet’s history. The performance was also monumental in that it marked the first time in 30 years that the orchestra and ballet have performed a full-length ballet together, with a goal to repeat the tradition every four years.
Department of Communications Becomes School of Communications | 2015
In February of 2015, it was announced that the Department of Communications would become the School of Communications. This monumental change took place later in the same year. At the time of this change, BYU ranked 14th among the top 50 communications programs in the country — BYU’s Department of Communications was one of only two departments that placed within the top 50.
‘Our Town’ Play Wins Big | 2015
BYU’s production of “Our Town” earned 13 national awards from the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival — these awards are among the most prestigious in the nation for university productions. Directed by assistant professor Stephanie Breinholt, the production uniquely integrated live theatre and film, allowing actors to transition between screen and stage. The awards recognized excellence in directing, acting, design and technical elements. The modern interpretation resonated with the newly media-savvy audiences of 2015 while honoring the play’s timeless message.
HFAC Celebrates 50th Anniversary With a Gala | 2015
The College of Fine Arts and Communications held a Festival of the Arts and Traditions Ball to honor the 50th anniversary of the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center. The event featured 32 performances on ten stages across campus, showcasing BYU’s premier programs in theatre, music, dance, film screenings and visual art exhibitions. The festivities concluded with a formally-dressed Traditions Ball, blending alumni and current students in a refined, blue‑tie affair. The event was a heartfelt tribute to five decades of artistic legacy and the cultural heartbeat of BYU’s campus.
BYU Singers Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary with Concert | 2015
This celebratory concert featured music the BYU Singers performed during their spring tour in China. This music showcased noteworthy composers from the Western world across time. At the concert, the BYU Singers were joined by nearly 300 choir alumni to celebrate the group’s 30th anniversary. Additionally, the concert marked the final performance conducted in the de Jong Concert Hall by Ronald Staheli, who led the choir for all 30 years and retired from the university following the choir’s return from China. Alumni and current students enjoyed a reception immediately after the concert in the Wilkinson Student Center.
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