Inter-Arts
College of Creative Arts
Dean: Keith Morrison
Inter-Arts Center
CA 353
415-338-1478
Director: Jim Davis
Undergraduate Adviser: Davis
Graduate Coordinators: Davis, Tamblyn
Faculty
Professor—Davis
Associate Professor—Veeder
Lecturers—Tamblyn, Trend
Programs
B.A. in Creative Arts: Concentration in Interdisciplinary Arts
M.A. in Creative Arts: Concentration in Interdisciplinary Arts
M.A. in Creative Arts: Creativity and Arts Education
Program Scope
The Inter-Arts Center (IAC) is devoted to interdisciplinary and experimental arts programs. The programs stress applied studies for interdisciplinary artists (B.A. and M.A.), and facilitative studies for creative arts educators (M.A.) and arts administrators (B.A. and M.A.). All programs emphasize integration of theory and practice, comparative studies, the central and generative roles of the arts in culture, sensitivity toward human diversity, experimentation with new ideas and processes, critical thought, and personal discipline. In addition to IAC interdisciplinary core requirements and electives, studies are pursued throughout the College of Creative Arts and campuswide, based upon program requirements and the student's personal creative and/or scholarly goals. IAC faculty, students, and programs are typically integrated with events and concerns of the arts and other communities of the Bay Area. "Interdisciplinary Arts" are defined as original creative works integrating elements from two or more arts disciplines, and involving new and germinal ideas, art forms, critical issues, and/or facilitative capabilities unavailable in or between traditional visual, audio, textual, spatial/environmental, temporal, and kinesthetic aspects of the arts. Examples of such works in recent years include: performance art, video art, multimedia art, computer art, installations, environmental arts, original book arts, and documentary arts. Interest or experience in two or more Creative Arts disciplines alone is not an adequate basis for entry. Students interested in pursuing more than one arts discipline as distinct goals, or wishing to work toward a goal involving a traditional art form that is interdepartmental (such as opera or music theatre), should consider a double major, a major in one department and minor in another, or write a proposal for an interdepartmental Special Major.
IAC also contributes courses, coordination, advisement, and program development in the Creative Arts area of the campuswide Liberal Studies program. Additional IAC involvement includes coordination of Special Majors stressing Creative Arts areas, offering of courses serving as intersections between Creative Arts disciplines, Creative Arts symposia on new directions in the arts, Inter-Artist of the Year Award, artist survival courses, GE Segments II and III offerings, international student exchanges involving new arts media, coordination of the college's Creativity Institute, internships in Bay Area arts organizations, and the high school Arts Bridge to College Program.
Successful fulfillment of the B.A. major requires a mature level of development and clearly integrated, meaningful goals. The overriding purpose of this program is to foster experimental, individually-based interdisciplinary creative arts ideas, processes, and expressions, as well as critical and theoretical understanding integral to these. Due to the integrative purpose and planned nature of the B.A. program, no more than eighteen credits of studies completed prior to declaration of the major may count toward the program. Non-core courses in the major must include at least two disciplines outside of IAC.
Electives in the B.A. major may also be employed to fulfill an arts administration goal. Courses include studies in the arts, business, social sciences, and humanities. Students interested in this option should contact the IAC office for further information. Elective courses for this focus typically stress arts administration, arts economics, grant writing, accounting, management, non-profit organizations, marketing, and on-site internships.
The primary goal of the Master of Arts: Concentration in Interdisciplinary Arts is development of accomplished interdisciplinary artists. To enter the program, students must have reached a mature level of development necessary to successfully pursue advanced studies in interdisciplinary creative arts, and must have clearly integrated and meaningful goals. The overriding purposes of the program are to foster individually-based interdisciplinary creative ideas, processes, and expressions, as well as critical and theoretical understanding integral to these, and development of advanced creative capabilities in new processes and new arts technologies.
The purpose of the Master of Arts: Concentration in Creativity and Arts Education is to pursue advanced studies, research, creative projects, and methodologies to assist in facilitating experiences in the arts for individuals and groups in a variety of environments. Prospective sites for these applications include both traditional classrooms and nontraditional spaces. Primary areas of research concerning creative processes include: (1) theories and methods for stimulating creativity and aesthetic awareness in individuals and groups; (2) forms and processes of language unique to the arts, how these compare to and may enhance other language forms, and ways in which arts languages can substantively contribute to personal growth and interpersonal communication; (3) creative experiences contributing to understanding human diversity; (4) the impact of varied environments upon creative thought, processes, and expression; (5) relationships between creativity, society, and new arts technologies, and how these can constructively contribute to the human condition; (6) the centrality of the arts in personal and cultural health. Areas of research stressing community outreach and interdisciplinary learning processes include: (1) community applications of arts experiences in varied sites, schools, organizations, and cultural centers; (2) interdisciplinary learning and expression; (3) subject training for professional teachers in the arts and related areas; (4) new curriculum models and instructional resource development in the arts; (5) methods in which creative arts learning can increase, clarify, and deepen learning in other and related subject areas (creative thinking, critical thinking, problem solving, language skills, literature, history, social and cultural studies, math, science).
Students may use electives in the M.A. in Creativity and Arts Education to pursue a focus in arts administration. Courses for this goal typically include courses in arts administration, arts economics, non-profit organizations, grantwriting, marketing, accounting, management, and on-site internships.
Career Outlook
Because IAC programs stress entrepreneurial and cutting edge media, processes, ideas, and directions in the arts, graduates tend to have the greatest success in emerging creative arts professions. In recent years, these have included interactive media, computer arts, digital sound, video art, performance art, installations, and book arts. In addition to pursuits as experimental, interdisciplinary artists, many IAC graduates have successfully founded or worked within arts environments and institutions in which arts learning or arts administration were their primary responsibilities. IAC graduates have achieved leadership roles in many such environments at local and national levels. Most IAC courses (and internships) are also uniquely designed to directly integrate relationships with the Bay Area arts community so that students benefit from dialogue and experience with a diversity of professionals from a variety of environments.
Facilities
Special facilities in IAC serve both IAC degree seeking majors and classes from various departments in the College of Creative Arts. The Intermedia Access laboratory is for the purpose of providing opportunity for developing capabilities in use of new media to create interdisciplinary and original works synthesizing texts, images, sound, performance, lighting, editing, video shooting, and special effects. This laboratory features digital (video) editing with toaster, digital sound, standard video editors, and inch professional video editor. Equipment checkout opportunities for authorized students include camcorders, Ikegami inch camcorder, tripods, video lights, Sony Pro II recorder, microphones, and related equipment. Additionally, IAC supervises a MAC Laboratory featuring a variety of computer applications in the arts where courses from various departments in the college meet, and the Advanced Computer Imaging Laboratory which stresses computer animation processes for Creative Arts students.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CREATIVE ARTS: INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Inter-Arts discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).
Students in this major must follow all program procedures specified in the B.A. Advisory Guide and Checklist available in the IAC office.
Program Sequence (minimum of four semesters to complete)
- Preliminary Requirements: At least one core course from either the Social/Cultural Studies or Critical Thinking/Writing categories, plus one Creative Applications core course, with a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in these two core courses. In addition, students must complete twelve credits of area courses in Historical/Critical Studies in the Arts and Studio/Lab/Applications in Single Arts Discipline areas.
- Proficiency Review: A proficiency review is required during the last semester when completing the above preliminary requirements, and before enrollment in the culminating project. No more than twenty-five credits taken prior to and during the semester in which the proficiency review is completed may count toward the major. The purposes of the review are to assist in advisement for culminating project electives, to assure readiness for the culminating project, and to determine if additional course work may be necessary if readiness is not in evidence. The student is to set an appointment with the undergraduate adviser in the Inter-Arts Center office, and bring the following to this meeting:
Proficiency Review Form (available in IAC office);
Up-dated Advisory Guide and Checklist for the B.A. in IAC;
Printout or listing of all prior and current arts courses intended to count toward the major, including prefixes, course numbers, titles, credits, college(s) where completed and grades (for in-progress courses, the student is to obtain a signed note from the instructors indicating the in-progress grades as of that point);
Documented example(s) of creative work (slides, photos, video, audio cassette, creative writing, etc.);
Example of critical or theoretical writing on the arts;
200-500 word typed statement clearly describing proposed culminating project, including ideas, critical issues and/or themes, media, processes, structure, personal needs, methods, and probable presentation context (this statement is also to be presented to instructor of culminating project course at the beginning of the first semester of enrollment).
- Culminating Project and On-Advisement Culminating Project Electives: The on-advisement culminating project electives are intended to directly contribute to the effectiveness of the culminating project and are to be selected on advisement with the program adviser. The culminating project must be a significant, original work (creative or scholarly) synthesizing critical ideas and creative processes, and must also integrate at least two elements from the visual, audio, textual, spatial/environmental, temporal, and kinesthetic aspects of creative expression. The culminating project is to be done in a two semester sequence, with the first term to research, plan, and develop materials and capabilities on the theme, critical issues, methods, processes, and strategies; and the second term to coalesce, finalize, and present the project.
Core Requirements Units
Social/Cultural Studies 3
One course from:
IAC 315 Self and Others
IAC 380 New Directions in the Arts:
Expression and Social Change
Critical Thinking/Writing 3
One course from:
IAC 320 Contemporary Writing in the
Arts
IAC 370 Arts and Artists of San
Francisco
Creative Applications 3
One course from:
IAC 300 Creative Intersections: New
Forms and Processes
IAC 301 Introduction to Computers as
Arts Media
IAC 307 Collaborative Ideas and
Processes in the Arts
Culminating Project Prerequisites 0-6
Up to six additional units in applied and/or
theory courses may be required prior to first
time enrollment in the culminating project if
deficiencies in readiness are determined based
upon the proficiency review required the term
before enrollment in IAC 400.
Culminating Creative/Scholarly Project 6
IAC 400 Synthesis: Culminating Inter-
disciplinary Arts Project (3)
[must be repeated in two
semester sequence]
Area Studies, On-Advisement Culminating Project
Support Courses
Historical/Critical Studies in the Arts 6
Courses selected on advisement in historical
(three units) and critical/theoretical (three
units) areas in art, broadcast, cinema, dance,
design, inter-arts, music, theatre arts. At
least three units must include twentieth
century ideas in an art form.
Studio/Lab/Applications in Single Arts
Discipline 6
Courses selected on advisement in a single
studio/lab/applied arts discipline (painting,
dance, piano, acting, etc.).
On-Advisement Culminating Project Support
Courses 13
Additional courses in creative arts and related
social, critical, ideational, historical, and
applied areas selected on advisement; taken near
to or during time of culminating project and
directly contributing to ideas and methodologies
applicable to the project.
Total 40-46
MASTER OF ARTS IN CREATIVE ARTS: CONCENTRATION IN INTERDISCIPLINARY ARTS
Admission to Program
Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate major in an arts discipline, in interdisciplinary creative arts, or demonstrable level of achievement comparable to one of these. Applicants are also expected to have a clear and qualitative goal in interdisciplinary arts.
In addition to meeting university application requirements and deadlines, applicants must submit an application to the M.A. graduate program adviser in Interdisciplinary Arts, Inter-Arts Center, which includes:
- Letter of intent, including proposed semester for entry;
- 200-500 word narrative statement of purpose (background, plans for future interdisciplinary projects and studies);
- Resume;
- Transcripts (may be unofficial);
- Portfolio documenting creative work (slides, videotape, computer disk, audio cassette, etc.);
- Three letters of recommendation (sent directly to program adviser);
- Up to six units of previously completed courses may be considered as applicable toward the degree but this must be requested in writing at the time of application and also meet university requirements.
The program application deadline for Fall admission is April 1, and for Spring admission is November 1. Consult the Admissions Office or this Bulletin for the university admission deadlines and procedures.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Each graduate student must demonstrate the ability to write standard American English correctly and effectively. Level One: inclusion of a statement of purpose as part of the application to the program. Level Two: successful completion of IAC 710 with a B or better. IAC 710 is a course that covers research methods for the design of the thesis or creative work project, with emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to candidacy occurs at the midpoint in the program, and when the student has completed a Graduate Approved Program (GAP) and has had it approved by the major adviser, college graduate coordinator, and the dean of the Graduate Division. Prior to completion of the GAP, the student must be fully admitted to the program (see "Admission to Program"); have satisfactorily completed both Written English Proficiency Requirements; have completed at least twelve semester hours applicable to the degree with a B average or above. Successful completion of a graduate review is also required prior to advancement to candidacy.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Inter-Arts discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).
Program Units
IAC 700 Arts as Experience: Practice and Theory 3
IAC 707 Collaborative Processes in the Arts 3
IAC 710 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Arts
Theory and Criticism 3
One course selected from the following: 3
IAC 301 Introduction to Computers as
Arts Media
IAC 401 Dynamic Computer Graphics for
the Arts
IAC 720 Alternative Documentary Forms
IAC 734 New Creative Applications in
Media Technology
Two courses selected from the following 6
IAC 730 Narrative and Interactive
Expression
IAC 731 Intersections: Sound, Media,
Text, Context
IAC 732 Intersections: Image, Media,
Text, Context
IAC 733 Intersections: Performance,
Media, Text, Context
IAC 740 Arts Law, Economics, Survival
One of the following: 3
IAC 894 Creative Work Project
IAC 898 Master's Thesis
Supporting upper division or graduate courses
chosen in consultation with the graduate program
adviser 9
Minimum total 30
Students must be enrolled in at least one IAC course each term of study during which they are working on their culminating project.
MASTER OF ARTS IN CREATIVE ARTS: CONCENTRATION IN CREATIVITY AND ARTS EDUCATION
Admission to Program
Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate major in an arts discipline, interdisciplinary creative arts, or a demonstrable level of achievement comparable to one of these. Within this study, or equivalent experience, there must be at least one course in twentieth century ideas in the arts and one in cultural diversity in the arts.
In addition to meeting university application requirements and deadlines, applicants must submit an application to the M.A. program adviser in Creativity and Arts Education, Inter-Arts Center, which includes:
- Letter of intent, including proposed semester for entry;
- 200-500 word narrative statement of purpose (background, goals for pursuits in this program);
- Sample, documentation, or description of major scholarly, educational, or creative accomplishment (examples: grant proposal, research paper, curriculum model, creative project);
- Resume;
- Transcripts (may be unofficial);
- Three letters of recommendation (sent directly to program adviser);
- Up to six units of previously completed courses may be considered as applicable toward the degree, but this must be requested in writing at the time of application and also meet university requirements for applicability to the degree.
The program application deadline for Fall admission is April 1, and for Spring admission it is November 1. Consult the Admissions Office or this Bulletin for the university admission deadlines and procedures.
Written English Proficiency Requirements
Each graduate student must demonstrate the ability to write standard American English correctly and effectively. Level One: inclusion of a statement of purpose as part of the application to the program. Level Two: successful completion of IAC 800 with a B or better. IAC 800 stresses research methods related to the design and/or formulation of the thesis or creative project, with emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to candidacy occurs at the midpoint in the program, and when the student has completed a Graduate Approved Program (GAP) and has had it approved by the major adviser, college graduate coordinator, and the dean of the Graduate Division. Prior to completion of the GAP, the student must be fully admitted to the program (see "Admission to Program"); have satisfactorily completed both Written English Proficiency Requirements; have completed at least twelve semester hours applicable to the degree with a B average or above; and have successfully completed a required graduate review.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Inter-Arts discipline in the Announcement of Courses section).
Program Units
IAC 707 Collaborative Processes in the Arts 3
IAC 800 Creativity: Individual and Cultural
Change 3
IAC 850 Creativity: Education, Community,
Culture [generic course] 6
IAC 850 requirement includes two courses
from the following topics:
New Directions in Arts Education
Stimulating Creativity/Aesthetic
Awareness
The Arts and Cultural Communications
Arts Education, Cultural Change, Media
Technology
One of the following: 3
IAC 894 Creative Work Project
IAC 898 Master's Thesis
Supporting upper division and/or graduate
courses selected on advisement in professional
education, creative arts, and/or other disci-
plines that tangibly contribute to student's
professional goal 15
Minimum total 30
Students must be enrolled in at least one IAC course each semester of study during which they are working on their culminating project.