It’s hardly news anymore when a survey of the nation’s grad schools ranks UT
Austin’s Law, Engineering, or Business Schools among the best in the land.
That’s been the case for years. But for some of us, it’s news to see UT’s
graduate arts programs rate that well in such a survey. And they did in a guide
to the country’s grad schools featured in the March 10 issue of U.S. News &
World Report. Not surprisingly, UT Austin’s usual suspects can be found among
the top 20 schools in their respective fields (Engineering: 11, Law: 18,
Business: 18), and the Schools of Education, Social Work, and Pharmacy also
score high (12, 11, and 2, respectively). But then, when you get to the arts
rankings, which in the U.S. News survey includes Schools of Architecture,
Creative Writing, Drama/Theatre, Film, Fine Art, and Music — lo and behold! —
in every area except for Creative Writing, UT Austin’s schools are ranked among
the top 20 in the country, and in four areas, among the top 10 (Architecture:
7, Drama/Theatre: 8, Film: 10, Fine Art:10, with Music: 17). Congrats and keep
up the good work, folks.
Movin’ Into the `Plex
The Austin Visual Arts Association has made the jump to the Art Plex, that newhaven for visual artists at 1705 Guadalupe, and this coming week, you’ll be
able to check out their new offices as well as the rest of the 20,000 square
feet of space, which includes offices for the Artists Coalition of Austin, the
ACA gallery, and approximately 60 studios for painters, potters, and other
artists. AVAA Executive Director Sue Fawver reports that the move went well,
but that they’re “still digging out from under the boxes.” Even so, the AVAA
office will be open for business March 18, with plans for an open house set for
later in the spring. For AVAA info, call the group’s new number, 457-0075.
Developer Gary Peden, the man behind ArtPlex, says that 95% of the space is
leased now. If you’re interested in that last 5% or have other questions about
the space, call 473-3775.
Music! Art! Music Art!
Like you need one more person urging you to do something during the crush ofSXSW, but there’s some great art showing this week that complements the great
music playing all over town. Laughing at the Sun Gallery, the Wild About Music
gallery, the Center for American History, and UT Austin are all showing works
of art with music themes or that were inspired by music. “The Music Show” at
Laughing at the Sun (2209 S. First) features art by musicians and artists
inspired by music; Wild About Music (710 W. Sixth) has its usual mammoth
assortment of music-themed work — over 300 pieces — on view; and “Sounds Like
Texas,” the Center for American History and UT’s exhibit of photos, recordings,
and memorabilia of Texas music, is on display at the SXSW Trade Show inside the
Austin Convention Center (505 E. Cesar Chavez). For info, call 708-1700 or
326-4410.
Send literary, performing, and visual arts news to: “Articulations,”
PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765 or onstage@auschron.com
This article appears in March 14 • 1997 and March 14 • 1997 (Cover).