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When art + science come together, anything is possible
February 2026
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The arts are a critical part of an A&S undergraduate education. They provide an opportunity to explore creativity in all of its forms. The arts enable a different kind of understanding and interpretation of ourselves and our world. They teach students creativity, perspective, communication, and problem-solving. The arts provide a vital form of creative expression and scholarly inquiry, helping humans make sense of our histories, cultures, and identities.
Vanderbilt has a long history of innovation and leadership in the arts, from theater to studio art to cinema to architecture, and we’re expanding our efforts to further increase our impact. We recently launched The Arts Project, an initiative to elevate and connect the various innovative arts efforts at Vanderbilt and build collaborations with the broader community. We were also pleased to welcome the Vanderbilt University Art Museum and the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise, and Public Policy into the college, furthering our commitment to advancing their work. As you’ll see in the video and articles below, our students and faculty engage in immersive research and creative expression in collaborative and interdisciplinary ways. Working alongside the social sciences and natural sciences, the arts and humanities build well-rounded, engaged, and thoughtful citizens.
In closing, I hope you all saw the exciting news earlier this month that Jason Merchant will serve as the next dean of the College of Arts and Science, beginning July 1. He has deep experience in higher education leadership, shaping curriculum, supporting faculty, and developing students, and is also a renowned scholar of linguistics. He will adeptly continue the positive momentum of the college, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Vanderbilt this summer.
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My best,
Timothy P. McNamara
Searcy Family Dean of the College of Arts and Science
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Designing Scent with Sarah Dunham’s Art Class
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Students in Sarah Dunham’s class, Graphic Design: Systems & Structures, had the unique opportunity to help bring to life the Vanderbilt Museum of Art’s new exhibit, Scent: Connection, Confrontation, Memory.
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| Merchant, a national leader in higher education, internationally renowned award-winning professor, and distinguished scholar or linguistics, will be the new Searcy Family Dean of the College of Arts and Science beginning this summer.
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Students in three A&S classes collaborated to produce the new Vanderbilt University Museum of Art exhibit, Scent: Connection, Confrontation, Memory, which explores art that captures the olfactory.
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A&S faculty Jana Harper, Lutz Koepnick, and Jonathan Rattner traveled to Svalbard, Norway, to pursue a project on art and climate change in the Polar North, culminating in a building-wide art installation in Buttrick Hall.
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Buckles passed away on January 10 in Nashville. Over the course of his 30 years at Vanderbilt, he made a huge impact on the lives of countless students, faculty, and community members.
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A massive ice and snow storm caused widespread damage across Nashville, but thanks to the amazing efforts of more than 900 Vanderbilt facilities workers, dining employees, public safety officers, and other staff, our community was kept safe, fed, and supported. See more on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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It's your college. Stay connected.
@vuartsci
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Vanderbilt College of Arts and Science 2301 Vanderbilt Place, PMB 406014 | Nashville, TN 37240-6014 US
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"Vanderbilt" and the Vanderbilt logo are registered trademarks and service marks of Vanderbilt University.
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