Institute of the Arts

• Introduction
• Administration
• Academic Programs
  • Art and Visual Technologies (B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A.)
  • Dance (BA, B.F.A., M.F.A.)
  • Interdisciplinary Studies in the Arts
  • Theater (BA)

"George Mason is deeply committed to the arts and to educating our students about the significance the arts have in all our lives. This is why the arts are integral to our institution. We encourage active student participation in the many programs and related courses in the arts that are scheduled throughout the year. Students are able to receive a more balanced education, develop a deeper appreciation of the arts, and achieve a more enlightened perspective of the world."

Alan G. Merten
President, George Mason University

The Institute of the Arts (IOA) was established in August 1990 to implement George Mason University's long-term commitment to the arts. The institute has adopted a threefold mission:

• To make the arts an intrinsic part of all students' university experience
• To develop audiences within and outside the university that are knowledgeable and passionate about the arts and broadly representative of the area's diverse communities communities
• To support artists and new works, with emphasis on multicultural and global perspectives

The institute searches for innovative ways to involve all students in the artistic process, professional performances, and arts-based, nontraditional curricula. IOA makes the arts a pervasive presence in the lives of students regardless of age, ethnic background, or academic specialization.

IOA strives to maintain a balance between presenting master works of the past and creating a vital atmosphere for the production of new work. The institute is dedicated to the support and encouragement of all artists, including those of culturally diverse backgrounds, from here and abroad.

The institute is involved in the community by participating in appropriate community artistic activities, by inviting extraordinary regional artists to perform at the university, and by increasing audiences to all arts events.

Administration

Betsy Brininger, Director, Institute of the Arts

Evans Mandes, Director, Academic Affairs

Scott Martin, Director, Art Studio Division and Visual Information Technologies Division

Linda Miller, Director, Dance Division

Suzanne Carbonneau, Director, Interdisciplinary Arts Division

Kristin Johnsen-Neshati, Director, Theater Division, and Dramaturg, Theater of the First Amendment

Academic Programs

IOA houses five academic divisions:

• Art and Visual Technologies (BA, B.F.A, MA, M.F.A.)
• Dance (BA, B.F.A., M.F.A.)
• Interdisciplinary Studies in the Arts
• Theater (BA)

These majors have strong academic backgrounds and discipline programs taught by professional artists. Undergraduate minors are offered in arts administration, art studio, dance, interdisciplinary arts, multimedia, and theater.

Note: Students with scores below a certain point on the math placement test must take MATH 106 to satisfy the analytical reasoning requirement prior to or concurrent with the first semester of the natural science requirement.