About
Date: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Location: Bass Concert Hall
Contact: cofaevents@austin.utexas.edu
Program
Our ceremony program, list of graduates, and other details can be found on our event landing page.
Eligibility
Fine Arts undergraduate students who completed a degree in the fall of 2023, who have had their graduation application approved for the spring of 2024, or who are on track to graduate in the summer of 2024 are eligible to participate in Fine Arts Commencement. More below. Fine Arts masters and doctoral candidates will participate in the Graduate School convocation, instead.
Fall graduates: An RSVP will be sent to fall graduates in early February; reply no later than March 26.
Spring graduates: Apply to graduate by March 26. Missed the deadline? Please write to cofadegrees@austin.utexas.edu right away. Though we accept late graduation applications, we cannot guarantee that any guest tickets for commencement will be available to late applicants.
Summer prospective graduates: Students who lack no more than 12 credit hours for degree completion are eligible to participate in spring commencement. To do so, write to cofadegrees@austin.utexas.edu by March 26 to request permission. Be sure to apply to graduate in the summer semester, as well, as commencement participation does not signify degree conferral.
Tickets
Guest tickets are required for this event; a ticket is not required for graduates. Each graduate will have an opportunity to claim 6 guest tickets through Texas Performing Arts. Information on ticketing procedure was sent by way of a mailing list (cofacommencement@utlists.utexas.edu) on April 11th to all students who applied to graduate by the March 26th deadline. Please contact cofaevents@austin.utexas.edu if you did not receive this message. Late applicants will receive a separate notification with ticket information in late April.
The Fine Arts Commencement will also be livestreamed.
Speaker
Don Bacigalupi, founding president of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art and former president and executive director of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, will address the UT College of Fine Arts Class of 2024 at the Fine Arts Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 10th. Bacigalupi received his Ph.D. from CoFA’s Art History program in 1993, and he received his M.A. from the program in 1985. With over 25 years of experience in innovative museum management, Bacigalupi has created pioneering institutions in the collection, presentation and exploration of art. To learn more about this year’s speaker, go here.
University-Wide Commencement
The University-Wide Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 11th at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Guest tickets are not required for the University-Wide Ceremony; tickets are required for graduates attending the ceremony, however.
The Fine Arts Commencement ceremony provides an occasion for recognizing degree candidates individually, including the traditional crossing of the stage and shaking of hands.
The university-wide ceremony takes place following the college ceremonies and is the culmination of commencement weekend. At this ceremony, students are recognized with others from their college as a group, rather than individually. The ceremony includes a distinguished speaker, the lighting of the Tower, and a concluding fireworks display.
Participation in these commencement events is optional.
Parking
Campus parking garages will be open for free parking on commencement days. The San Jacinto Garage (SJG), Manor Garage (MAG), and surface lots east of the LBJ Presidential Library (LBJ) and Sid Richardson Hall (SRH) are in relatively close proximity to Bass Concert Hall, which is in the southernmost section of the Performing Arts Center (PAC). A general campus map is available here.
May Update: Guests are strongly encouraged to review the main commencement parking website, which includes specific parking recommendations and an event map with road closure and ADA information.
As a general reminder, please allow extra time for parking due to campus congestion.
Accessibility
Graduates, please contact cofaevents@austin.utexas.edu by April 15 if you or one of your guests need additional assistance beyond what is covered below.
Guests with limited mobility are encouraged to park at East Campus Garage and ride the free, ADA accessible shuttle, which stops at Bass Concert Hall. The “May 10 Ceremonies Map” on the main parking website includes shuttle route, ADA drop-off, and rideshare drop-off locations.
Wheelchair Seating: Please visit Guest Services, just to the left of the Bass Concert Hall entrance, upon arrival. From there, Ushers and House Managers will escort guests to the wheelchair seating area. They can also assist mobility impaired guests seeking temporary wheelchair use to navigate the venue.
Security
May update: All graduates and guests should review the main commencement security information website, which includes clear bag policy, prohibited items, and conduct guidelines for all commencement ceremonies.
Graduate FAQ
In addition to securing tickets for my guests, what else should I tell them?
Please ask your guests to review the most recent commencement Parking and Security information.
Is academic regalia required?
Absolutely. All Fine Arts graduates are expected to wear a traditional black cap and gown with tassel and stole. Our stoles are dark brown (which is really more of a cinnamon color). Fine Arts tassels are pink for Music students, dark brown for other majors. Though you are not required to purchase regalia through the University Co-Op, many graduates start their regalia search at their graduation shop. You must wear your regalia from check-in through the end of the ceremony; your gown must be zipped, rather than worn as a jacket.
When and where do I check in?
Check-in for graduates begins at 10:30 at the Bass Concert Hall loading dock (see image here). This area is for graduates only; you should plan to remain with your fellow graduates once checked in. Be sure to account for commencement traffic and parking as you make your plans, as you must be in line for check-in no later than 11:00. Expect traffic delays!
What can I bring with me?
Bass has no area for storing backpacks, purses, or other personal belongings. Please leave any valuables that cannot be carried in your pockets at home or with your family/friends prior to checking in. Cell phones must be silenced during the ceremony.
How long will the ceremony last?
That is difficult to predict, though we aim for around an hour and 45 minutes to two hours.
Can I get a picture?
FLASH Photography will take a photo of you as you cross the stage, as well as an individual posed photo shortly thereafter. FLASH will e-mail you proofs of your photos directly; if you choose to purchase photos, you will do so directly through FLASH.
Anything else?
Congratulations! We look forward to seeing you on the 10th!
