College Information
College Advancement
Judith Russi KirshnerDean
The distinctiveness of the College’s mission depends on how dynamically we expand definitions of architecture and the arts so that aesthetics, experimentation, scholarship, composition, representation, and performance all come together in an urban environment that fosters robust models of community engagement. Key to our success is the sustained commitment to the diversity of faculty, students and instruction as well as a diversity of conceptual, artistic, and intellectual approaches to cultural practice. For me, the College’s excellence resides in our ability to act in multiple arenas, to construct a discipline specific educational vision reinforced by an overall commitment to instructional programs relevant to the most important issues of our social and political moment. In so many ways, we fulfill the UIC mission of civic engagement.
At UIC, a dynamic and diverse community, the College of Architecture and the Arts creates real change in the lives of our students. Every year I am newly inspired by the energy, ingenuity, and commitment our students bring to their education. The college scholarship funds you contribute reward the academic strengths of these and many other students like them, and provide opportunities for students who might not otherwise have the advantage of UIC’s excellence.
Fundamental to the success of our students is a distinguished faculty of educators and practitioners, in whose work the disciplines of art history, architecture, performing arts, studio arts and design converge to enrich the college experience. Some examples include Assistant Professor Daniel Sauter, School of Art & Design, who explores questions about property and privacy in public urban space through Light Attack, a multimedia presentation performed in the cities of Los Angeles and Boston, and the countries of Italy, China, and Korea. Architecture Associate Professor David Brown analyzes the cultural dimensions of jazz improvisation and its influential role in redefining modern architectural theory and practice in his book Noise Orders. The collaborative efforts of the City Design Center, the School of Architecture, the Department of Art History, and the School of Art & Design culminated in the exhibition Learning from North Lawndale: Past, Present and Future, documenting the Chicago Greystone Initiative Project, a merging of historic preservation, economic development and architecture. The exhibition was displayed at the Chicago Architecture Foundation this past fall semester and publications are available.
Most importantly, our College is changing and updating a curriculum with new programs dedicated to interdisciplinary research and practical application. Marcia Lausen as director of the School of Art & Design introduces collaborative multi-disciplinary investigations enriching our course offerings. Industrial and graphic design students flourish in academic curriculums such as the Interdisciplinary Product Development program, shared with the Colleges of Engineering and Business Administration, as well as corporate partners who provide innovative gateways to professional careers.
Beginning this fall, we will be offering courses in an exciting new program, Master of Science in Architecture in Health Design’s (MSAHD). This program’s mission is to improve the quality of healthcare architecture through requirements of design, specialized experience and professional ethics of healthcare architects.
Winning critical praise, the College engages audiences with public events and programs, making us one of Chicago’s premier arenas for cultural innovation. Gallery 400 opened its newly renovated space in the Art & Design building at 400 S. Peoria Street, and director Lorelei Stewart brings experimental exhibitions such as John Arndt’s Empire and Jeanne Dunning’s Tomato Fight to the university and Chicago communities. At the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, social, cultural and political topics animate an exciting schedule of public lectures and film series under the leadership of its new director, Lisa Yun Lee.
Students attend UIC to grow creatively and intellectually and to flourish in their careers. To prepare students for exciting futures, we provide university resources enhanced by private philanthropy. It is my pleasure to thank our donors for supporting our mission of access and excellence through gifts to college scholarship funds, which promote the success of art history, architecture, performing arts, studio arts and design. Your assistance underscores the achievements of the faculty, staff and students in the College, secures our reputation for offering excellence in classrooms, studios and stages, and provides partnership opportunities for Chicago institutions. We are always grateful for your participation, which enables us to set the highest standards for diverse artistic practices on national and international levels. Please accept my invitation to join us in celebrating the richness of the College and be certain to attend Gallery 400 exhibitions, Jane Addams Hull–House Museum conferences, our lecture series and musical and theatrical performances. You are an important member of our growing community.
Fundamental to the success of our students is a distinguished faculty of educators and practitioners, in whose work the disciplines of art history, architecture, performing arts, studio arts and design converge to enrich the college experience. Some examples include Assistant Professor Daniel Sauter, School of Art & Design, who explores questions about property and privacy in public urban space through Light Attack, a multimedia presentation performed in the cities of Los Angeles and Boston, and the countries of Italy, China, and Korea. Architecture Associate Professor David Brown analyzes the cultural dimensions of jazz improvisation and its influential role in redefining modern architectural theory and practice in his book Noise Orders. The collaborative efforts of the City Design Center, the School of Architecture, the Department of Art History, and the School of Art & Design culminated in the exhibition Learning from North Lawndale: Past, Present and Future, documenting the Chicago Greystone Initiative Project, a merging of historic preservation, economic development and architecture. The exhibition was displayed at the Chicago Architecture Foundation this past fall semester and publications are available.
Most importantly, our College is changing and updating a curriculum with new programs dedicated to interdisciplinary research and practical application. Marcia Lausen as director of the School of Art & Design introduces collaborative multi-disciplinary investigations enriching our course offerings. Industrial and graphic design students flourish in academic curriculums such as the Interdisciplinary Product Development program, shared with the Colleges of Engineering and Business Administration, as well as corporate partners who provide innovative gateways to professional careers.
Beginning this fall, we will be offering courses in an exciting new program, Master of Science in Architecture in Health Design’s (MSAHD). This program’s mission is to improve the quality of healthcare architecture through requirements of design, specialized experience and professional ethics of healthcare architects.
Winning critical praise, the College engages audiences with public events and programs, making us one of Chicago’s premier arenas for cultural innovation. Gallery 400 opened its newly renovated space in the Art & Design building at 400 S. Peoria Street, and director Lorelei Stewart brings experimental exhibitions such as John Arndt’s Empire and Jeanne Dunning’s Tomato Fight to the university and Chicago communities. At the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, social, cultural and political topics animate an exciting schedule of public lectures and film series under the leadership of its new director, Lisa Yun Lee.
Students attend UIC to grow creatively and intellectually and to flourish in their careers. To prepare students for exciting futures, we provide university resources enhanced by private philanthropy. It is my pleasure to thank our donors for supporting our mission of access and excellence through gifts to college scholarship funds, which promote the success of art history, architecture, performing arts, studio arts and design. Your assistance underscores the achievements of the faculty, staff and students in the College, secures our reputation for offering excellence in classrooms, studios and stages, and provides partnership opportunities for Chicago institutions. We are always grateful for your participation, which enables us to set the highest standards for diverse artistic practices on national and international levels. Please accept my invitation to join us in celebrating the richness of the College and be certain to attend Gallery 400 exhibitions, Jane Addams Hull–House Museum conferences, our lecture series and musical and theatrical performances. You are an important member of our growing community.