The Caine School of the Arts at Utah State University is a vibrant hub for creativity, performance, and cultural enrichment in Cache Valley and beyond. Through concerts, exhibitions, theater productions, lectures, and community programs, we connect audiences with the inspiring work of our students, faculty, and visiting artists. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter of the arts or discovering USU’s cultural offerings for the first time, this site is your gateway to the rich and diverse artistic experiences made possible through the Caine School of the Arts.
What's Going On in the Arts at USU
Current Exhibitions
Paper & Clay Exhibition
The exhibition will be on view from February 9 through March 6, with a reception Thursday, February 26, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.. The Tippetts & Eccles Galleries are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Paper & Clay is a national juried exhibition open to all current undergraduate and graduate printmaking and ceramic students across the country. This year’s exhibition showcases 70 exceptional contemporary student works from over 20 various academic institutions. This year’s juror is ceramic artist Kevin Snipes.
Ongoing exhibitions are also on display at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art.
Arts in the News
The Department of Art + Design collaborated with the Utah State Athletics and Intermountain Healthcare earlier this year for an initiative called Coaches vs. Cancer, bringing creativity and community together in a meaningful way.
The Utah State University Museum of Anthropology is celebrating two new student-curated exhibitions: “Japanese Fine Arts and Fashion,” curated by Morgan Meyers, and “Global Games: The Cross-Cultural Creation of Competition,” curated by Benji Fowler-Merrell.
Utah State University’s Arts Are Core, a program of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Program for Elementary Arts Education, is sponsoring its annual Creativity Unbound Student Art Exhibition.
A Message From Our Director
Welcome to the Caine School of the Arts in USU’s College of Arts & Sciences!
The Caine School serves as a catalyst for of a community of artists and scholars that embraces and supports artistry, creativity, and innovation while honoring the many traditions that comprise the arts in modern society. Named to celebrate decades of transformational support from the Caine Family and working closely with the Departments of Art+Design, Music, and Theatre Arts, the Caine School champions and facilitates shared programming in the arts, fosters community engagement, and provides event support and stewardship for the college’s performance and exhibition venues.
As our society struggles with challenges from civility to mental health to global sustainability, the arts are more important than ever as an expression of our culture and as a bridge among people with differing perspectives and points of view.
Whether you are a community member, student, or artist colleague, we invite you to join us to celebrate the arts at USU!
Nicholas Morrison, Director
Caine School of the Arts
Who We Are
Anna Ploeger
Drawing & Painting
In her last year of school, she did a series of landscapes that were done in Tempera and India ink. The process of painting involves construction and destruction and reconstruction which mirrors how, like nature, our lives are constantly changing. Her future plans include teaching art in secondary education and continuing to paint and draw. She enjoys being outside and derives a lot of her ideas for paintings from nature.
Emma Lovan
Costume Design
Emma is a talented costume designer who brought the stunning costumes of Or, to life with her creativity and attention to detail. Her passion for storytelling through costume design shines in every piece she creates. In recognition of her exceptional talent, Emma was honored with the Robin’s Award for Utah State University Talent of the Year 2025—one of the highest student honors at USU. Emma’s favorite part of being at Utah State University is the rich environment for personal and professional growth. She values the many opportunities USU provides for students to explore their passions, refine their skills, and connect with a supportive community of peers and mentors.
Chris Williams
Guitar Performance
Chris is a junior studying Guitar Performance under Corey Christiansen. Last summer, he toured Italy with the USU Jazz Orchestra and played across Europe and China. He has performed on stage with Steve Smith of Journey, Victor Wooten, Rashawn Ross, Jeff Coffin, Danny Gottlieb, and others. Chris is involved in various music projects. His band, Garden Drive, released an EP titled “From the Garden” this past summer, and he will release a debut album titled “For the Better” this Friday. Chris also has two singles already released on streaming platforms: “Angel in my Eyes” and “Starry Night.” He provides freelance guitar work and personalized lessons for beginner to intermediate players. In his free time, Chris also enjoys backpacking, fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, reading and cooking.