About
Contact Information
Martha Ashley
We Believe
- The arts and design are catalysts for change—shaping culture, influencing society, and driving innovation.
- Creativity is not a luxury; it is an essential component of innovation for solving the world’s most pressing challenges.
- Our graduates are artists, designers, and visionaries capable of making a meaningful impact.
Our Commitments
- Empowerment: We empower students to discover their voice, embrace risk, and lead with confidence.
- Excellence: We uphold the highest standards of craft, scholarship, and professional practice.
- Collaboration: We thrive on the exchange of ideas —within the university and beyond—that inspire interdisciplinary exploration.
- Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diverse perspectives as the foundation of creative excellence.
- Stewardship: We create and design with responsibility, mindful of our impact on communities and the planet.
Our Promise
- To provide transformative experiences that prepare students for careers—and lives—of purpose.
- To connect students with industry leaders, global opportunities, and impactful professional engagements.
- To champion the arts as a vital force in shaping a more just, beautiful, and innovative world.
Our Call to Action
Join us in creating, questioning, and reimagining.
Together, we will shape the future.
Mission Statement
The mission of High Point University’s School of Arts and Design is to:
- create a stimulating environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and the intellectual and creative development of faculty and students;
- prepare globally aware students for continued growth in a diverse range of fields by instilling professional values and fostering the ability to engage in critical inquiry through a variety of creative methods;
- cultivate an appreciation for artistic expression, understanding of visual literacy, and awareness of design in the university and surrounding communities.
The David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design offers nine undergraduate majors: Dance (B.A.), Design Studies with a Concentration in Graphic Design (B.A.), Fashion Merchandising (B.S.), Interior Design (B.S.), Music (B.A.), Studio Art (B.A.), Studio Art with a Concentration in General Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Studio Art with a Concentration in Graphic Design (B.F.A.), and Theater (B.A.). The school also offers minors in Art History, Dance, Fashion Merchandising, Graphic Design, Museum Studies, Music, Musical Theater, Photography, Studio Art, Theater, and Visual Merchandising Design.
The David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design reports a 99% placement rate for its graduates, meaning nearly all students are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
The David R. Hayworth School of Arts and Design maintains a 17:1 student-to-teacher ratio, fostering one-on-one mentorship and collaborative group projects with dedicated faculty and staff.
The Dean is Dr. John Turpin, Ph.D., FIDEC. Dr. Turpin also serves as Professor of Interior Design.
For general School of Arts and Design inquiries, contact the administrative office at [email protected] or call (336) 841-9514. For undergraduate admissions, call (800) 345-6993 or email [email protected]. Hours are daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Applications can be submitted through the High Point University admissions portal at highpoint.edu/admissions/apply/.
