Creativity & Design Neighborhood
Welcome to the Creativity & Design Neighborhood at Mary Baldwin University! Here, you’ll join a vibrant group of creative, curious students who are passionate about the arts and literature and excel in communication and storytelling.
During your first year at MBU, you’ll live with other Creativity & Design students in the Spencer Residence Hall. You’ll also study and take classes together, and enjoy special activities tailored to your interests.
The Majors
The Creativity & Design Neighborhood majors emphasize storytelling, creativity, and communication. Each field fosters a deep understanding of language, expression, and audience engagement, preparing students for careers in media, writing, and the arts. Learn more below!
Embark on a transformative journey. With a focus on writing, textual analysis, and critical thinking, our program encourages self-discovery and fosters a lifelong love for literature and language.
At the intersection of creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, this interdisciplinary major
prepares students to make innovative theatre with entrepreneurial acumen.
The Minors
Interested in exploring another facet of Creativity & Design? Our minors can deepen understanding of your chosen discipline while providing a broader set of skills and tools.
I am so excited to join the Creativity and Design neighborhood. It is a community of artists, performers, readers, writers, and innovative thinkers who learn together, and from one another, to make bold decisions and even bolder art — all of which affect incredible change around us. This neighborhood is the place to be.
Dr. Kerry Cooke, Associate Dean & Director, School of Visual & Performing ArtsCreativity & Design Neighborhood Leader
Live Together
Members of the Creative & Design neighborhood live together in the Spencer Residence Hall. Here’s what to expect:
- Dedicated Neighborhood floors
- Collaboration space for Neighborhood use
- Double and triple-occupancy rooms with ample storage, dressers, closets, and sinks
- Full communal kitchen, TV room, and laundry facilities
- Special neighborhood programming and activities
Grow Together
Enjoy special activities tailored to your neighborhood.
- Interdisciplinary Student Art Showcase at Blackfriars Playhouse
- Hunt Gallery student exhibitions
- Fletcher Collins Theatre performances
- American Shakespeare Center outings
- Outrageous Fortune, MBU’s online literary journal
- MBU-TV
- Experiential field trips
- Neighborhood block parties
Succeed Together
The Signature program is designed to chart a clear path for your success. Whether your post-graduation goal is a dream career or advanced degree, you’ll graduate with skills highly sought after in both the workforce and academia.
MBU Graduate Programs
If you decide to continue your studies at MBU, you can expect a smooth transition into one of the following programs:
Upcoming Events
Your Neighborhood Leader
Dr. Kerry Cooke (she/her)
Associate Dean and Director, School of Visual and Performing Arts
(540) 887-7031
kcooke@marybaldwin.edu