The University of Kentucky is expanding its College of Fine Arts with two new undergraduate degree programs designed to prepare students for careers in Kentucky’s growing film, entertainment and music industries.
The new programs in film and sonic arts and music industry combine creative training with hands-on experience and business skills, connecting students with re
Mark Shanda, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said the programs respond to growing workforce needs in both industries.
“The film and sonic arts degree directly aligns with the states’ ever-expanding film and immersive entertainment industry,” Shanda said. “Music Industry leverages the heritage of musical performers from across the Bluegrass, providing the business and commercial support that our home-grown artists need. We anticipate significant enrollment growth with both of these options.”
The film and sonic arts program brings together faculty, facilities and coursework from multiple areas of UK, including the School of Art and Visual Studies, School of Music, Department of Theatre and Dance, School of Journalism and Media, and International Film Studies.
The interdisciplinary program is designed for students interested in filmmaking, audio production and emerging forms of cinematic and sonic art. Students can customize their educational paths while gaining practical experience with professional equipment and instructors who have industry backgrounds.
The program launches as Kentucky’s film industry continues to expand. Since 2022, filmmaking in the state has generated more than 27,000 jobs and contributed $795 million to Kentucky’s gross domestic product.
Matthew Brock, a senior lecturer in the School of Art and Visual Studies and an instructor in the program, said the degree builds on reor evolving opportunities in film and media
“This degree program blends the best academic education of film and audio production across campus into customizable pathways where hands-on learning is required,” Brock said. “This is not a traditional film degree or a traditional audio production degree. It really is about students building new cinematic and sonic pathways that make sense for their own personal, creative and professional trajectories.”
Graduates will be prepared for traditional film and audio careers as well as opportunities in corporate storytelling, marketing, social media content creation and other industries that need creative professionals.
The music industry degree, meanwhile, is designed for students interested in the business and operations behind music, regardless of whether they have formal performance experience.
Eli Uttal-Veroff, a lecturer in the program, said the major addresses demand for professionals who can support artists and music businesses. The music industry generated $3.7 billion in revenue in 2025, he said.
Coursework covers audio fundamentals, music industry history and business management, along with opportunities for internships and practical experience. Students also draw on UK’s existing arts administration curriculum, which includes leadership, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship and technology.
“The brilliance of this major is it provides meat-and-potatoes skills for most roles in the music industry and the flexibility for students to become experts in whichever specialty they choose,” Uttal-Veroff said. “This means any music industry job is on the table.”
Potential career paths include music publishing, record labels, artist management, talent agencies, recording studios, production, merchandising, distribution, public relations and live music events and festivals.
The program also connects students with the university’s School of Music, where they can gain production experience working with musical ensembles as they prepare for internships.
Rachel Shane, chair of the Department of Arts Administration, said the degree emphasizes the connections among creative work, business, media and organizational management.
“The BA in Music Industry is interdisciplinary in the sense that the music industry itself requires students to think across creative, business, media, and organizational contexts,” Shane said. “Students will be able to understand music not only through performance or history, but also through the systems that support the industry, including media, entrepreneurship, event management, audience development and organizational resilience.”
Both programs reflect UK’s effort to connect academic disciplines with workforce opportunities while giving students the flexibility to pursue emerging careers in creative industries.
More information is available through thefilm and sonic arts programand themusic industry program.
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