School of the Arts

Learn About Us

Preparing 21st century artists to live and create.

The School of the Arts serves as a vibrant urban hub for the study, practice, and
integration of the arts. The School cultivates new models of interdisciplinary innovation,
entrepreneurial initiative, and collaborative community engagement in order to prepare
artists, and all students to thrive in a diverse world.

“Art of Nature: Idaho” — Three uniquely Idaho landscapes are taken over in this collaboration of dance, music and film

We are distinctive, nimble and responsive.

We are dedicated to the craftsmanship of our artistic processes through discipline and a strong work ethic. Our shared values are built upon participatory and inclusive collaboration. We strive to build a community that is connected, takes initiative, strives for excellence and isn’t afraid to fail. We are curious and eager to explore new areas of inquiry and innovation, and we are actively committed to social justice, diversity and empowerment.

Read more about “Art of Nature: Idaho”

Academic Leadership

  • Leslie Durham

    Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

    PhD — University of Kansas

    In 2018 Dr. Leslie Durham was named interim dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, having previously served as associate dean of arts and humanities since 2012. She still continues to teach theatre history and dramaturgy for the Theatre Arts Department.

    Durham joined the Boise State faculty in 2001 after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Kansas. An expert in theatre history, women in theatre and dramaturgy, Durham has three books and nearly three dozen journal articles and professional presentations to her credit. She is a member of the Boise State Arts and Humanities Institute advisory board and currently serves as the Boise State liaison to Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Idaho and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Durham fulfilled the role of associate dean in an acting or interim capacity since fall 2010.

    PhD — University of Kansas

    In 2018 Dr. Leslie Durham was named interim dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, having previously served as associate dean of arts and humanities since 2012. She still continues to teach theatre history and dramaturgy for the Theatre Arts Department.

    Durham joined the Boise State faculty in 2001 after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Kansas. An expert in theatre history, women in theatre and dramaturgy, Durham has three books and nearly three dozen journal articles and professional presentations to her credit. She is a member of the Boise State Arts and Humanities Institute advisory board and currently serves as the Boise State liaison to Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Idaho and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Durham fulfilled the role of associate dean in an acting or interim capacity since fall 2010.

  • Kathleen Keys

    Interim Associate Dean, Director of the School of the Arts

    PhD — Art Education, The Ohio State University
    MA — Arts Policy and Administration, The Ohio State University
    BFA — Art Studio, Painting, University of Kentucky
    BA — Arts Administration, University of Kentucky

    Kathleen Keys recently served as Chair of the Art Department from 2016-2018. She has taught in and coordinated the MA and BFA Art Education programs since 2005. Keys is currently serving in her eighth year of service with the Boise Art Museum as an active member of BAM’s Board of Trustees.

    PhD — Art Education, The Ohio State University
    MA — Arts Policy and Administration, The Ohio State University
    BFA — Art Studio, Painting, University of Kentucky
    BA — Arts Administration, University of Kentucky

    Kathleen Keys recently served as Chair of the Art Department from 2016-2018. She has taught in and coordinated the MA and BFA Art Education programs since 2005. Keys is currently serving in her eighth year of service with the Boise Art Museum as an active member of BAM’s Board of Trustees.

  • Dan Scott

    Interim Chair, Department of Art, Design and Visual Studies

    MFA — Painting, New York Academy of Art
    BFA — Drawing and Ceramics, Boise State University

    MFA — Painting, New York Academy of Art
    BFA — Drawing and Ceramics, Boise State University

  • Linda Kline

    Chair, Department of Music

    DMA — Viola Performance, University of Memphis
    MM — Viola Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music
    BM — Viola Performance, Northwestern University

    DMA — Viola Performance, University of Memphis
    MM — Viola Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music
    BM — Viola Performance, Northwestern University

  • Richard Klautsch

    Chair, Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing

    PhD — Wayne State University
    MFA — Wayne State University

    PhD — Wayne State University
    MFA — Wayne State University

  • Lisa Moore Hunt

    Interim Director, Keith and Catherine Stein World Museum and Visiting Assistant Professor, School of the Arts

    PhD — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
    MA — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
    BA — Art History and Museum Studies, Rhodes College

    PhD — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
    MA — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
    BA — Art History and Museum Studies, Rhodes College