The Institute of the Arts and Sciences is an interdisciplinary nexus for students, faculty, artists, and researchers. As a hub for nationally and internationally significant exhibitions and programs collaboratively conceived to elevate university research, we center our faculty in critical discussions about the roles the arts and creative thinking can play in transforming society.
The IAS is a laboratory for the arts
Since its founding, the IAS has presented a series of major interdisciplinary initiatives and exhibitions originated and co-curated by UC Santa Cruz faculty who serve as IAS fellows. Recent interdisciplinary initiatives created in collaboration with faculty fellows include Visualizing Abolition (2019-24) and Surge: Explorations in Afrofuturism (2022). Recent exhibitions created with faculty include Strange Weather: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundations (2022), Arthur Jafa, Martine Syms, and Black Quantum Futurism: Just Futures (2022), and Angela Melitopoulos and Angela Anderson: Unearthing Disaster I & II (2017).
Faculty who would like to develop exhibitions and initiatives should contact IAS Director Rachel Nelson (renelson@ucsc.edu). Lead time for exhibitions is two to three years.
The IAS is a classroom
As academic disciplines and pedagogies continue to evolve, the IAS serves as a laboratory, fostering and encouraging faculty and students to embrace new ways of thinking to prepare themselves to meet the broad challenges of the rapidly changing social and political landscape.
Classes from all disciplines at UC Santa Cruz and other colleges are welcome for self-guided and staff-led tours. For tours or visits, please contact Tam Welch, tamw@ucsc.edu. Advanced notice of two weeks is appreciated.
