Celebrated Utah fantasy artist James C. Christensen will take center stage at the Marriott Center during BYU Spectacular on October 16-17, at 7:30 p.m., and one of the fanciful creations that first made him famous more than 30 years ago will join him. Tickets are on sale now for the event (BYUTickets.com), which will also feature eight BYU performing groups and is part of the university’s annual Homecoming week activities.

Featuring BYU alum fantasy artist James Christensen, BYU Philharmonic, Men’s Chorus, International Folk Dance Ensemble, Young Ambassadors, Living Legends, Ballroom Dance, Contemporary Dance Theatre, and scenes from the upcoming BYU Music Dance Theatre production of Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy’s musical, The Count of Monte Cristo.

The Department of Visual Arts will be split three ways commencing January 1, 2015, ending a two-year process that considered the growing needs of students and faculty, and the development of new curriculum. Stephen Jones, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, made the announcement Thursday in front of a group of faculty and staff of the college. 'We've got a lot of work to do! I'm excited for you and your students. I'm excited about the opportunities that will ride on the wave of this decision.' Earlier this week the BYU Board of Trustees approved the reconfiguration of the department. Brent Webb, BYU's academic vice president, represented the administration in the meeting and commented, 'It is not often that we create a department at the university.' According to Webb, the Art History program and faculty will move to the Department of Humanities, Classics and Comparative Literature in the College of Humanities. To better reflect the new alignment of disciplines, it has been proposed that the newly configured department name be changed to Comparative Arts and Letters. The remaining Department of Visual Arts be realigned, forming a Department of Design and a Department of Art. The proposed Department of Design will include the Photography, Illustration, Graphic Design, and Animation Programs. The proposed Department of Art will house the Studio Art and Art Education programs. 'We had good faculty putting forth their best efforts,' remarked Linda Reynolds, chair of the Department of Visual Arts who will step down at the end of the year. Reynolds said she communicated the voice of the faculty in thanking Dean Jones for “shepherding and leading a very difficult process.'

A participatory play adapted by Larry and Vivian Snipes Based on a story collected by the Brothers Grimm Directed by Néstor Bravo Goldsmith This tale of a fisherman, an enchanted fish, and three magic wishes taps into the imagination through clever storytelling and audience participation.

Please join us for the premier of Full Circle, a compelling new documentary film that tells the story of how one performance by a BYU dance group 30 years ago would inspire a legacy of future dancers in China.

Thursday, October 9, 20144:00pm-5:50pm260 MOAFather Terrence Dempsey is the Founding Director of the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA) at Saint Louis University in Missouri. He studied art history and religion at the Graduate Theological Union and University of California at Berkeley, he received his Phd in 1991. He has curated nearly sixty exhibitions on religious contemporary art and lectures frequently. For more info on the MOCRA click here.

The artistic director for BYU’s Ballroom Dance Company announced his retirement at the end of the school year after directing the group for 35 years.

This annual showcase of the BYU School of Music’s premier instrumental ensembles features performances by BYU Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Symphonic Band.

The summer of 2014 was incredible for the BYU Department of Dance, in part because of an amazing opportunity provided for dancers in all disciplines.

BYU Singers, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Chorus present the annual showcase of classical, contemporary, and sacred choral works September 25-26, 7:30 pm at the de Jong Concert Hall. Choirs conducted by Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, and Jean Applonie. From classical to jazz to world beats, the BYU School of Music sponsors a variety of ensembles representing numerous styles and genres on the musical spectrum. Orchestras such as the BYU Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra impress with their richly coordinated sounds. BYU Singers, Concert Choir, Men's Chorus, and Women's Chorus showcase the best of choral music at the university. Synthesis takes big-band jazz to a new level with every performance. And those with an ear for popular music won't want to miss the 9-man a capella group, Vocal Point. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETING INFORMATION

What could be lovelier on a cool autumn evening than the Bard under the stars? Shakespeare’s witty comedy of love, honor, and deception comes to vibrant life on a bare stage in the courtyard of the Joseph F. Smith Building this Thursday-Friday, Sept. 25-26, 7:00 PM. TICKET INFORMATION: $20 ($7 off with BYU or student ID/$3 off for senior citizens or BYU alumni) Mary Lou Fulton Plaza-Joseph F. Smith Bldg (outdoor courtyard) NOTE: the matinee performance on Sept. 27 has been moved to the Pardoe Theatre in the Harris Fine Arts Center. The evening performances on Sept. 25-26 will still take place in the outdoor courtyard of the Joseph F. Smith Building. Generously supported by the BYU Mary Lou Fulton Endowment in Theatre and Media Arts In case of inclement weather the performance will be moved to the Pardoe Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Pictured above: Actors From the London Stage in the spring 2014 tour of As You Like It.

Join us for the free screening of Full Circle, a new documentary film that tells the story of how one performance by a BYU dance group 30 years ago would inspire a legacy of future dancers in China. The screening will take place in the Pardoe Theatre this Saturday, September 20 at 9:15 p.m., directly after the performance of eviDANCE at the de Jong Concert Hallin the HFAC.