Annual Theme (2008-2009)
Activism and the Arts - click here for a full schedule of events.
Call for Proposals:
(2009-2010 Annual Theme)
A year-long theme will be selected in late January 2009 for the following academic year - click here for more information on how you can be involved.
Director
Laurie Monahan, History of Art and Architecture
Associate Director
Holly Unruh, IHC/UCIRA
Advisory Board
Sabine Frühstück, East Asian Languages and Cultural Studies
Lisa Jevbratt, Art
Harry Reese, Art/College of Creative Studies
Sven Spieker, Germanic, Slavic, Semitic Studies
Jeffrey Stewart, Black Studies
Kim Yasuda, Art/UCIRA
2009-2010 Annual Theme: Call For Proposals
What it is: The Arts Research Initiative (ARI) proceeds from the conviction that the arts at UCSB require a more coherent means of integrating creative, interdisciplinary research and teaching among students and faculty alike. It aims to create conditions for the formation of what might be called a “permeable” classroom, in which teaching and learning can be more effectively and actively connected to research and artistic production. Rather than considering arts programming and research as separate, extra-curricular activities, the ARI creates a structure that allows different disciplinary areas to come together around a shared theme that is complemented by relevant programming. The ARI will create a flexible structure for faculty and students (both undergraduate and graduate) to share research and events, while encouraging innovative ways to frame critical thought and research beyond the more traditional confines of the classroom. The ARI hopes to create a forum for shared research that links a vibrant cultural component to faculty interests and concerns.
How it works: A year-long theme will be selected in late January for the following academic year. The ARI will facilitate programming for that year based on participants’ suggestions. By late May, we will produce a schedule of events and list the courses around the chosen theme so students can plan their schedules accordingly for the following academic year. By creating a collective “consortium” of speakers, films, artists, faculty will be able to bring their classes to some or all of the ARI-sponsored events. NOTE: you do not need to be an artist or working in an art-related discipline to participate! The idea is to produce different disciplinary perspectives and insights through cultural programming and the interaction of faculty, students, and guests. Once a core of participating faculty is established, the ARI will encourage informal workshops throughout the year in order to share research and ideas.
What to do: If you are interested in participating, we invite you to fill out this form (click here). We are looking for year-long themes that can be approached from a variety of disciplines. For example, this year’s theme, “Arts and Activism” can be conceived in a number of ways: through visual culture, social protest, historical movements, contemporary problems, video and film, collective organizations, social structures, education, etc. A theme may suggest a relationship between two or more problems or issues. The theme should try to strike a balance between specificity and generality to maximize participation and interpretive approaches. We encourage you to propose a theme-related class (an existing one or a new one), and theme-related programming suggestions.
