The Institute of the Arts and Sciences is a hub for nationally and internationally significant exhibitions and programs collaboratively conceived to elevate university research, centering faculty in critical discussions about the roles the arts and creative thinking can play in transforming society.
Multi-Year Research Clusters
The IAS actively solicits proposals for multi-year and multidisciplinary thematic research clusters. These research clusters aim to bring faculty together across divisions and areas of expertise to apply their different methodologies to shared research questions around critical social and ecological issues. The resulting new information and creative research is brought to the public through collaborations with IAS curators to produce innovative art and research exhibitions in the IAS’s 6000-square-foot public gallery space, events, and publications. Proposals for research clusters are required to include potential sources of funding to be pursued in partnership with the IAS. IAS directors and the advisory committee will assess these and other potential sources of funding in reviewing all proposals.
Proposals are reviewed by the IAS faculty director, IAS curators, and the faculty advisory committee on a revolving basis. The director and advisory committee will meet twice a year with the research clusters to receive updates about the ongoing research and exhibition planning. Email renelson@ucsc.edu for more information about multi-year research clusters.
Faculty Spotlight Exhibitions
Faculty are invited to submit proposals triennially for spotlight exhibitions to be held in the IAS Nion McEvoy gallery, which is approximately 1500 square feet. Proposals must include potential checklists with images of exhibition-ready artworks as well as technical and space requirements. These artworks can be in any media, including video, installation, photography, prints, painting, sculpture, performance, etc. Faculty-curated exhibitions will also be considered; however, costs for shipping and artist fees need to be projected with funding sources identified.
A letter of intent should describe the context for the regional, national, international, or thematic significance of the artworks, as well as the importance of the exhibition for the faculty member’s research. A CV is also required.
Chosen faculty will receive $2500 in research funds. IAS curators will work with artists to determine the final checklist. Exhibition design, installation, didactics, and other associated logistics is also under the direction of IAS staff. Proposals will be reviewed by the IAS advisory committee as well as the IAS director and faculty research director.
CURRENT CALL FOR FACULTY SPOTLIGHT PROPOSALS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.
*The IAS advisory committee is chaired by the IAS faculty research director Gina Dent and composed of faculty from the arts, humanities, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences, as well as the IAS staff director.
Chosen faculty will receive $2500 in research funds. IAS curators will work with artists to determine the final checklist. Exhibition design, installation, didactics, and other associated logistics is also under the direction of IAS staff.
For questions, please email Rachel Nelson, renelson@ucsc.edu.
