As we enter the 2026-27 academic year, I want to profoundly thank you for your support of our program. This will be my final year as Dean of Northern State University’s School of Fine Arts, as I will retire in June. Serving in this capacity for the past eleven years has been the greatest honor of my career. Our students and faculty have been tremendous to work with, and the administration has shown vigorous support both in times of strategic challenge and opportunity. We have collectively created new curricula, resources, and initiatives for student success, dynamically positioning our programs for the next chapter. Your continued investments have made these advancements possible!
This is a very special year for Northern State University, as the university marks 125 years since its founding as a teachers college in 1901! While this commitment to educational excellence has defined NSU’s mission, generations of students have also been transformed by innovation, leadership, and collaboration in ways they could not have imagined. Throughout NSU’s history, the School of Fine Arts has been a cornerstone in the arts and is proud to have played an important role in the university’s legacy. Our alumni have distinguished themselves as educators, creators, performers, and designers in important professional settings all over the country, and we are excited to create new and modern academic experiences for our current and future generations of students, wherever their talents lead them.
As you peruse this booklet, I hope you enjoy the chance to review the past year in photos, preview the exciting 2026-27 season, and consider contributing to the School of Fine Arts’ growing base of support. As always, I look forward to sharing and celebrating our bright future with you.
Warm regards,
Dr. Kenneth O. Boulton
Dean, School of Fine Arts
School of Fine Arts Mission Statement
The School of Fine Arts at Northern State University is a vibrant and growing regional center for the arts, in which students and faculty are focused on creating, performing, teaching, interpreting, and thinking critically about the arts.
The faculty, practicing professional artists in their respective fields, are fully invested in the mission of the university, and committed to the planning and promotion of collaborative cultural and academic opportunities for our students and public. Central to this commitment is maintaining and expanding dynamic relationships with arts educators throughout the region, and providing effective support for public and private school teachers, individual instructors, and alumni in the field.
The faculty believe in personalized mentorship to students, as well as maintaining an awareness of each student’s distinct background and how best to align each individual with professional standards and expectations. The faculty recognize the value of working together for the betterment of our students, cultivating a supportive arts community that embraces diversity of background and thought.
The School of Fine Arts actively creates major opportunities for students of all levels to display and develop their talents, thus continuing our culture of accomplishment and success.
Former Faculty
At Northern, talented faculty will inspire you to grow as an artist and excel in your chosen passion. Our school has a long and illustrious history of influence in the arts of the region.