Founded in July of 2006, Florida International University's College of Architecture + The Arts is one of the newest of the University's twelve colleges. It is committed to excellence in art, design and performance.

Currently the College has over 1,200 full-time and part-time students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It employs 80 full-time and 140 part-time faculty members. The college is comprised of four schools and divisions including:

• the School of Architecture,
• the School of Art + Art History,
• the School of Music,
• and the School of Theatre, Dance + Speech Communication.

The College promotes exploration, discovery, and innovation among its different programs. It is strongly committed to interdisciplinary education that breaks new ground. Its diverse programs emphasize urban engagement and are informed by current thinking and new technologies. The College of Architecture + The Arts is devoted to the creative spirit in the pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of imagination, intellectual curiosity, and artistic expression in our region and around the world.

Some recent highlights from The College of Architecture + The Arts include:

Professor Phillip Church of the School of Theatre, Dance and Speech Communication and Professor Armando Tranquilino of the School of Music have teamed together to produce the 20-minute video Loners Not Losers This 20-minute video, which was financed by the Audrey Love Charitable Foundation, addresses the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. It is attracting nationwide interest and will be used by FIU, the Miami-Dade public schools and various universities around the country at freshman orientation and as a crisis counseling tool.

Syesha Mercado, a student in the School of Theatre, Dance and Speech Communication, was a top-three finalist on American Idol in the 2008 season.

Ileana Rodriguez, a senior in the School of Architecture, competed in the recent 2008 Paraolympic Swimming Trials in Minneapolis. While she did not earn a place on the U.S. Paraolympic Team which will compete in China this summer, she did set an American record.

The School of Music and Florida Keys Community College are working together to create a new music curriculum for the community college. This will prepare FKCC students (upon graduation) for entry as upperclassmen into FIU's School of Music. The two parties also jointly sponsor concerts at FKCC featuring FIU faculty and students.