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Visual and Performing Arts
VPA Program Coordinators
Contact a division program coordinator with questions about your program requirements or next steps.Jennifer McAtee

Chair, Visual and Performing Arts
850.872.3887
jmcatee@gulfcoast.edu
Amelia Center room 122


Senior Administrative Assistant
850.872.3886

Department Contact Information:
GCSC Division of Visual & Performing Arts
Amelia Tapper Center
5230 West Hwy 98
Panama City, FL 32401
Phone: 850.769.1551, ext. 3886
Fax:  850.767.8086

Visual and Performing Arts

Follow your Passion. Develop your Craft. Create your Future.

Creativity. Imagination. Passion. Expression. For those studying the visual and performing arts, the yearning to create drives you, perhaps even defines you. At Gulf Coast State College, you’ll refine your skills, broaden your scope and learn how to turn what you love into a career.

The Drowsy Chaperone, A musical within a comedy. April 5-7 and April 12-14
click for tickets
Inconceivable by Poppy Garcia
March 1 to April 5


Find More Upcoming Events Here:

The Drowsy Chaperone Tickets

arts scholarship auditions and interviews

Spring 2024 Schedule of Events

For most current information on events and opportunities, visit us on social media:

Instragram Twitter


Learn About Our Programs

Education from Gulf Coast’s Visual and Performing Arts Division will lead you to:

  • associate of arts degree
  • associate of science degree
  • certificates

The Visual and Performing Arts Division at Florida’s Gulf Coast State College offers three transfer tracks leading to the associate of arts degree, one associate of science degree and three certificate programs.

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Transfer Tracks Leading to an Associate of Arts Degree

Option for the Associate of Science Degree

Certificate in Entertainment Technology

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Visit the college’s programs page to search more than 150 of the areas of study available at Gulf Cost State College in Florida.

Visit the college's Continuing Education page for information on non-credit courses in art, drawing, painting, and more.

Take Advantage of Our Resources

Scholarships in the Arts

The Division of Visual and Performing Arts is located in the Amelia G. Tapper Center for the Arts on the Panama City, Florida campus. Gulf Coast’s Amelia Center was renovated and named for its patron in 1998 or 1999. The Amelia Center Gallery showcases a variety of art exhibitions featuring the work of professional artists and current students. The 500- seat Amelia Center Theatre and 75-seat Amelia Center Theatre Lab hosts dozens of musical and dramatic performances, lectures and special events each year. The Amelia Center also houses, a recording studio, multiple art studios, music practice rooms, and other amenities.

Top Faculty

Want to know more about our art, music and theatre faculty? The faculty directory provides short profiles of the professors in the Division of Visual and Performing Arts.

Job Outlook for Careers in the Visual and Performing Arts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth and salary estimates for jobs in the performing arts are often difficult to measure. Many artists work other jobs or are self-employed. Despite these difficulties, the bureau estimates:

  • Music directors and composers, photographers, musicians, singers and artist jobs will grow a little slower than average between now and 2024.
  • Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and multimedia artist and animator jobs will show average growth.

The following jobs in the visual and performing arts will grow faster than average through 2024:

  • Postsecondary school teachers, 13%
  • Film and video editors and camera operators, 11% faster than average
  • Actors, 10% faster than average
  • Producers and Directors, 9% faster than average

Gulf Coast’s Visual and Performing Arts Division is located in the Amelia G. Tapper Arts Center on the Panama City, Florida campus. Contact the division office for questions regarding program requirements, please contact your advisor. Please direct lab- and class-specific questions to the instructor for your class.

Gulf Coast State College does not discriminate against any person in its programs, activities, policies or procedures on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, religion, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. All questions or inquiries regarding compliance with laws relating to non-discrimination and all complaints regarding sexual misconduct or discrimination, may be directed to Lee Wood, Executive Director, Human Resources/Title II/504/Title IX Coordinator and Employment Equity Officer, Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. US Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.