Overview

The Visual Arts Program emphasizes experimentation and transdisciplinary approaches to studio production in both traditional and new media. Students are encouraged to consider both, the physical and the cultural context of their artworks/projects as central to their interpretation. Presentations on contemporary art as well as discussions in theory and criticism, and an understanding of research based artistic practice complement studio production and the development of projects.

Topics debated in VAP courses have a strong focus on:
- Dialogues in Art, Architecture, Urbanism, and the “Production of Space”
- Interventions in public spaces and the development of anti-monuments and new instruments of collective memory
- Interrogative design, body wear and nomadic devices
- Interfaces between visual art practices, the performative and the sonic
- "Experiments with Truth" - photographic and time based media between documentary and fiction
- Art and Science / Science and Art - research based artistic practice

Courses are taught by renowned practicing artists working in an international arena. The Program offers a variety of introductory courses to the general MIT student population, as well as a courses tailored to undergraduates majoring in architecture. Advanced courses related to specific media and topics are offered as electives for both undergraduate and graduate students. MIT’s Visual Arts Program offers an undergraduate concentration, and major plus a highly selective graduate program a two year science master in Visual Studies (SMVisS).

The Visual Arts Program is part of the Department of Architecture, within the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Degrees in Visual Arts
Masters of Science in Visual Studies (SMVisS)
Bachelor of Science in Art and Design (BSAD)

About the Program Subsections
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undergraduate program
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