Interdisciplinary Education in the Arts

Charlotte Moorman performing on Nam June Paik’s TV Cello wearing TV Glasses, Bonino Gallery, New York City, 1971; Work by IDEAS alum Siena Peterson; IDEAS alum Yusuf Patel

What is IDEAS?

IDEAS stands for Interdisciplinary Education in the Arts. We are a program in the School of Art & Art History dedicated to the principle that the many opportunities and challenges of the contemporary world require broad-based, transdisciplinary thinking and action -- and that the arts is where the most creative thinking and making happen. IDEAS is for future creative leaders who are prepared to think and work both critically and creatively in preparation for cutting-edge, multifaceted careers linking the arts to each other within a context that includes the emerging digital landscape.

The four interdisciplinary courses that make up the core of IDEAS survey creativity as an engine for the visual arts, design, architecture, theater, music, exhibition studies, and the history and theory of the arts. After completing the core courses and training across the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts, a senior capstone project is developed in partnership with an advisor or within an existing program.

What about careers?

With careful mentoring and the capstone project, the IDEAS major is trained for one or more of these exciting fields:

  • Interdisciplinary Design, Arts, Sound, or Visualization Research
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Art, Architecture, Design Criticism
  • Material or Digital Fabrication
  • Fine Arts or Entertainment Administration
  • Cultural Entrepreneurship
  • Academic Study in any Area of ISA

Click here for a printable program flyer