Sorry it's taken so long to respond my jobs are currently on overdrive and it's too hard to reply to the forum from my phone. I'm painter so I don't know that much about video or photo dept. but I've seen some great work develop. I would say that they are actively developing and investing in video/photo and new genres. The art dept. has taken over the building that it used to share with the music department so I know that there's more space for the different media. The building itself is somewhat worn down but nothing too crazy. The art dept. is always that last to get a new building! The painting professors are all pretty cool, they have their cons but nothing too detrimental. I would say that Elizabeth became my favorite after I became used to her stream of conscious answers. Wendy Babcox is a photo/video professor and she's pretty cool. The grad students and undergrad mix pretty easily. You kind of get to know everyone because of the size of the school. The department head always remembers my name and its been a few years. Definitely go on the Paris study abroad trip. I had an amazing experience. If you do end up at USF and you take a class with Lou Marcus, photo prof., sit in the very front or else you won't hear a thing. Miami is about 4 hours away depending on how fast you drive so Art Basel close by. Tampa itself is okay. There are plenty of apartments near the school but you need a car! It's just gets too hot and everything is spread far apart. I can't really recommend staying after grad school since I'm actively trying to get out! I would say downtown St. Petersburg which is 45-1 hour away is great place to hang out.
If you need anymore info just let me know.
