phd creative arts

Ph.D. Program

The ph.d. in performance studies at nyu is an intensive, highly competitive five-year program that trains students to conduct advanced research and scholarship..

The first of its kind (and still one of a very few) as a stand-alone doctoral program in performance studies, NYU Performance Studies was ranked #1 by the National Research Council in its survey of doctoral programs in theater and performance studies.  Many of our graduates have gone on to academic positions in leading research institutions worldwide, publish award-winning books and articles, and shape the future of the field. 

We accept 4 students per year, all of whom receive intensive and highly individualized mentoring and training, as well as 5 years of tuition/fee remission, health insurance, and a stipend.  

The M.A. and Ph.D. Programs in Performance Studies are administered by the Tisch School of the Arts and degrees are conferred by the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU.

Performance Studies Students

• Skip to content
• Skip to footer
• Accessibility options

• Business and employers
• Alumni and supporters
• For students

• Postgraduate research degrees
• Our postgraduate research disciplines
• Apply for a PhD
• Funding and studentships
• International
• Support and training
• Research Masters
• Postgraduate info session
• Archaeology | Archaeological Sciences PhD
• Architecture PhD | Built Environment PhD

Art and creative practices PhD

• Biology PhD | Biomaterials PhD
• Business and management PhD
• Chemistry PhD
• Civil engineering PhD
• Computing PhD
• Conservation Ecology and Zoonosis PhD
• Criminology
• Cultural studies PhD | Global studies PhD
• Digital media and culture PhD
• Ecology and environmental management
• Engineering PhD
• English literature PhD
• Environmental communication PhD
• Film, screen and popular culture PhD
• Geology and Earth Science PhD
• Health and wellbeing PhD | Resilience PhD
• History of design PhD | History of art PhD
• History PhD
• Human geography PhD
• Linguistics and language PhD
• Mathematics and statistics PhD
• Media communications PhD
• Medicines Optimisation
• Neuroscience PhD
• Nursing PhD | Midwifery PhD
• Occupational therapy PhD
• Philosophy, politics and ethics PhD
• Physiotherapy PhD
• Podiatry PhD
• Politics PhD
• Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD)
• Psychology and Community Psychology
• Regenerative medicine PhD
• Sociology PhD
• Sport and exercise science PhD
• Sport and leisure cultures PhD
• Tourism and hospitality PhD

The University of Brighton is a creative and intellectually vibrant focus for a PhD in art and creative practices.

The School of Art and Media in Brighton has a long history of internationally-recognised work, has been a pioneer of practice-based and inter-disciplinary methods, and joins with other disciplinary areas to offer expert supervision.  

Past successes in PhD in Art and Creative Practices at the University of Brighton include PhDs in the areas of fine art, illustration, graphic design, visual communication, photography and film, digital and interactive arts, 3D design and craft, fashion and textiles, design and communication, drawing on the staff of different schools and sharing a creative vision and ethos that permeates the whole university.

Apply to 'Arts' on our PhD portal

Apply with us for funding through the AHRC Techne Doctoral Training Partnership

Key information

As an Art and Creative Practices PhD student, you will benefit from

• a supervisory team comprising 2-3 members of academic staff. Depending on your research specialism you may also have an additional external supervisor from another school, research institution, or industry
• access to and induction to research approaches from a variety of related fields, including social science, environmental science, media, design and the humanities
• access to a range of electronic resources via the university’s Online Library, as well as to the physical book and journal collections housed within the university libraries
• a range of colleagues using arts practices for research investigation, including a regular presentation day of research in these fields
• various spaces and facilities for exhibition and public engagement.

Academic environment

Our research and enterprise has, at its heart, an engagement with making and critical thinking that brings together creative inquiry, experimentation with material, process and technology with theory and critical writing. It provides new ways of understanding creative processes that offer insights into cultural and human emotion, thought and action.

Research activities within Art and Creative Practices include the production of innovative artefacts, both digital and physical, design, craft, inclusive practices, exhibitions, installation and performance, as well as creative writing, published texts, books and journal articles. Characterised by a blend of scholarship, knowledge exchange, traditional and cutting-edge practices, our research has been influential in collaborative developments with diverse communities and partners locally, nationally and internationally. It is our belief that knowledge generated through the development of creative and critical practice enhances and shapes every aspect of our contemporary culture and future lives.

We promote research excellence and support individual and collaborative research initiatives that through productive enterprise networks help to enhance society’s understanding of human culture and creativity. 

We welcome applications for PhD study in which practice plays a central role, as well as those applications that bring elements of practice into a more traditional thesis submission. As a research student, you will part of a community of learning with active participation in a range of intellectual and social events. All PhD students working on arts-based topics are integrated into the university’s wider research culture and we will provide you with opportunities to present ‘work in progress’ and network with other researchers.

Research themes in Art and Creative Practices

Researchers within the School of Art and Media are engaged in arts practice work across a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas and, along with specialists in the history and theory of art, design, literature, creative writing and autoethnography from the School of Humanities and Social Science, and wider engagement with schools specialising across the sciences, we encourage interdisciplinary projects and cross-disciplinary engagements. Our particular areas of specialism currently include:

• artistic engagements with environment, memory, narrative,
• arts practices and science, health and wellbeing
• research into, through and with drawing
• inclusive arts practice and social contexts
• interactive digital arts and audience engagement
• networked media arts practices and interventions
• mediated performances, visions and the role of the body as site
• politics of representation, curatorship and exhibition making
• creative writing and autoethnography

Explore our Centres of Research and Enterprise Excellence:

• Centre for Arts and Wellbeing
• Centre for Design History
• Centre for Digital Media Cultures .

Some of our supervisory staff 

Gavin ambrose.

My supervisory interests lie in the development of new approaches to Graphic Design pedagogy. I have expertise in typography, printing, editorial design and graphic systems and conventions. I'm especially interested in the emergence of new approaches to the landscape of contemporary Graphic Design practice and how the role of the Graphic Design has shifted towards a bricoleur approach to contempory communication. Graphic Design is a pervasive subject that is integrated in our daily lives, but arguably the subject of little critical enquiry. An emerging research community and unified research clustering is beginning to address this shortfall, and Doctorate Level study will help to further this body of knowledge.

I am interested in supervising on enquries into:

• Graphic Design practice, both as an act of creation but also as a force for change;

• The changing topography of the Graphic Design landscape, and the changes to the 'role' of the graphic Designer as a contemporary communicator and creator;

• Shifts in typographic practice and relationships of Graphic Design to the broader influences of social and economic factors including globalisation and homogenisation;

• The role of communication as an emerging research practice;

• Self regulation and ‘rule’ or convention generation with in the industry;

• The role of ‘play’ and ‘failure’ in design Graphic Design practice, and in particular how these actions are navigated and understood by learners and educators;

• The emergence of alternative, less formal approaches to education and the role of the ‘Art School’ in this developing landscape.

Dr Martin Bouette

My work investigates the role of entrepreneurship in the development of creative careers as a business owner and researcher. This has included investigating the gap between education and employment for creative practitioners as well as exploring models of learning to support entrepreneurial development.

Current and recent PhD students:

Claire Dawson - An exploration for clothing reuse in the circular economy (2023 -  present)

Martin Irorere -  Sustainability in making material innovation in textiles, for the circular model in the fashion industry (2021 - 2023) 

Erika Wong – Art World Hegemony and Access: Competing Perspectives on the Value of The Creative Class (2016 – 2020) Brighton University

Veerapong Klangpremjit – Interactive Packaging Development (2014 – 2020) University for the Creative Arts

Akapan Thienthaworn – Design Management in UK and Thai SMEs (2011 – 2019) University for the Creative Arts (completed)

Amy Cunningham

My supervisory interests include fine art, video, multi-media installation, sound, voice, performance, site-specific art and cultural histories of technology.

Dr Jules Findley

Postgraduate supervision in Textiles, Fashion, Fashion Communication, Drawing, encompassing embodied materiality, my work in handmade paper and practice-based, installation art. More recently,  substantial research as co-investigator with an AHRC project in sustainabile materials in Fashion and Textiles. I am interested in waste in the Fashion, Textiles, Accessories and Leather industries, together with materials, circular economy, reuse and repurposing.  

Recent PhD supervision:

University of Brighton - Claire Dawson - Research Title: 'Clothing Reuse in the Circular Econonmy: An exploration of the challenges and opportuniteis for UK high street fashion brands' - [March 2023 - July 2029]

University of Brighton - Martin Irorere - Research Title: 'Closing the Fashion Sustainability Gap through textile Recycling: Evaluation of UK Gen-Z consumer attitudes, knowledge, and acceptance of textile recycling'. - [March 2021 - July 2026]

Anglia Ruskin University - Amanda Lavis - Research Title: 'Woven Language: A practice-based research investigation Exploring the Textile Praxis in Children's Book Illustration' [March 2021 - expected completion 2025]

External PhD Viva examination experience, University of Chester October 2020 - Georgina Spry -  'A New Felt Presence: Making and Learning as part of a Community of Women Feltmakers' 

Doctoral student supervision and examination

Meaningfully Engaged? Exploring the particpatory arts practices of adults with profound and multiplul learning disabilities (PMLD)  PhD Thesis by Melaneia Warwick completed in 2018

External examiner, Royal Holloway, Janyne Lloyd, PhD thesis title The Role of Reminiscence Arts in the Lives of Care Home Residents Living with Dementia 2016

Dr Charlotte Gould

My PhD supervisory interests are in Digital Media Arts and Visual Communication. My specific research interests cover interactive storytelling, augmented reality, digital and tangible media,  open interaction, play, participation, immersive environments, virtual reality and 360 video, audience agency and sustainability.

Dr Ole Hagen

In addition to fine art practice, I'm interested in consciousness studies, philosophy of mind, ontology and religious stuies such as Buddhist philosophy. My own PhD covered continental thought, such as phenomenology, poststructuralism, Derrida and Deleuze, but also philosophy of science.

Dr Asa Johannesson

I am interested in supervising PhD and MRes students in the following areas: feminist photographic practices and theories, queer methodologies, queer photographic practices and theories, queer activism and representation, new materialism, posthumanism, photography and ontology, non-dialectical contemporary philosophy, process-led photographic research. 

Dr Helen Johnson

Helen supervises PhD and MD students with an interest in arts-based interventions in healthcare, education and wellbeing, and/or the use of creative, arts-based research methods.  She is interested in talking to doctoral applicants who are interested in researching creativity and the arts, with foci including: art therapy; arts interventions for health and wellbeing, including invisible chronic and contested conditions; social prescribing; creativity and the lived experience of dementia; arts education; spoken word and poetry slam; art worlds/communities; arts inclusivity; everyday creativity; and the artistic process.   She is also interested in supervising students who wish to work with creative, arts-based and/or participatory methods, including: poetic inquiry; autoethnography; photo voice; photo elicitation; collaborative poetics; and participatory action research.  Helen currently supervises four doctoral candidates, who are researching: the lived experiences of women with borderline personality disorder (including creative coping strategies); neurologic music therapy with young people with juvenile dementia; black people's experiences of intimacy and psychosis; and decolonial praxis in museum learning.  She has previously supervised and examined work covering topics that include: perceptions of frailty in the undergraduate medical curriculum; the impact of austerity policies on homeless people; spoken word with young offenders in a Macedonian prison; the performance and perception of authenticity in contemporary UK spoken word poetry; and NHS staff experiences of work. 

Dr Uschi Klein

Dr Uschi Klein is interested in supervising PhDs in the broad areas of photographic histories and practices, visual and material culture, resistance politics, cultural memory and marginalised communities. She is especially but not exclusively interested in supervising research projects that focus on the lived experience of Eastern European totalitarian systems.

Dr Jayne Lloyd

Jayne is interested supervising practice-based PhD research into collaborative or participatory arts practices with marginalised groups, arts in health and social care settings, arts-research and arts practices located in both gallery and community settings.

Dr Philippa Lyon

My main supervisory interests are in the understanding and applications of drawing in clinical settings, the use of drawing as a tool of learning, approaches to arts/health research, the relationship between drawing and writing and creative/visual research methods.

I am currently supervising:

Vanessa Marr (PhD, School of Art and Media) with Jessica Moriarty;  

Caehryn Tinker (PhD, School of Art and Media) with Heidi von Kurthy and Kay Aranda;

James Murray (PhD, School of Art and Media) with Gavin Fry and Duncan Bullen;

Lindsay Sekulowicz (AHRC Collaborative Doctorate, School of Humanities and Social Science) with Claire Wintle at Brighton, William Milliken and Mark Nesbitt at Kew Gardens and Luciana Martins at Birkbeck;

Muna Al-Jawad (PhD by Publication) with Jayne Lloyd;

Duncan Bullen (PhD by Publication).

I worked for a 3 year period as a learning mentor for a PhD student in the School of Art and Media. They completed successfully in February 2024.

I have supervised 4 PhD students to completion: Dr Simon Bliss, Jewellery, Silver and the Applied and Decorative Arts in the Culture of Modernism, 2019; Dr Gavin Fry, Male textile artists in 1980s Britain: a practice based inquiry into their reasons for using this medium, 2018; Dr Curie Scott, Elucidating perceptions of ageing through participatory drawing: a phenomenographic approach, 2018; Dr Sarah Haybittle, Correspondence, trace and the landscape of narrative: a visual, verbal and literary dialectic, 2015.

I have been an independent chair for two PhD examinations (Andrew Cross and Ada Hao) and have examined seven PhDs: Mingyi Wang, University of Brighton, 2023 (internal examiner); Jane Shepard, University of Brighton, 2022 (internal examiner); Melissa Cheung, University of Sydney, Australia, 2019 (external examiner); Louisa Buck, University of Brighton, 2018 (internal examiner); Samantha Lynch, University of Brighton, 2018 (internal examiner); Mike Sadd, University of Brighton, August 2015 (internal examiner); Tanja Golja, University of Technology Sydney, Australia, January 2012 (external examiner).

I've acted as internal examiner for three MRes students: Claire Scanlon, 2019; Diana Brighouse, 2015; and Mark Lander, 2014.

I have also been an independent reader for MPhil/PhD transfers and Annual Progression Review reader for 5 students.

Dr Simon McEnnis

Dr McEnnis is interested in postgraduate supervision in journalism and media studies. He is particularly keen on projects that explore professional and citizen journalism, digital and social media practice, blogging and influencer culture, media analysis, sports journalism or sports media. 

Roderick Mills

My supervisory interests cover the emerging areas of Illustration as an expanded field of practice including GIFs, animation, and the burgeoning self-publishing scene, through to traditional forms of graphic storytelling. I am interested in enquiries into situated illustration, both in terms of site specific work and ethnographic approaches, to how illustrators can use technology to go beyond the printed page. The importance of drawing as means of enquiry is another interest alongside performative aspects of live transcriptions and the use of workshops to engage with communities.

Dr Jessica Moriarty

One of my key passions is working with PhD students on creative practice, autoethnography and creative writing pedagogy. I have supported doctoral students working on transdisciplinary projects and work that seeks to challenge conventional academic discourse. At the moment, I am honoured to be working with students who are looking at queering the colonial, creativity and Bronte, Santiago de Cuba as moving archive, diverse narratives from Brexit, feminist romance, autoethnographic arts-based work, stories from care, autoethno-drag, identity and hybridity in fiction, and queer bodies in performance.

Xavier Ribas

Xavier Ribas is interested in developing postgraduate research in the following areas: contested sites and histories, legacies of colonialism, border territories, geographies of extraction, environmentalism, climate justice, art and activism. 

Dr Naomi Salaman

Contemporary art 

Contemporary art and feminist perspectives

The history of vision

The Art School; art education; art theory.

Prof Paul Sermon

My research and supervisory interests cover Fine Art, Digital Media, Performance and Visual Communications related subjects. Since joining the University of Brighton in 2013 I have taken on six PhD students as their lead supervisor, with completions in May 2016, March 2018 and April 2019. These PhD students have been undertaking practice-based research in a range of specific areas such as digital storytelling, interactive media, virtual reality and networked performance art. In my role as a PhD supervisor and Postgraduate Research Coordinator in the School of Art I bring our PhD students together through collaborative workshops, symposia and exhibitions, such as the group PhD show ‘Digital Encounters’ for the British Science Festival, Brighton in September 2017. I have had six PhD completions as lead supervisor to date, as well as two external completions and I continue to gain PhD Viva experience, with over thirteen PhD external examiner appointments.

Emma Stibbon

My supervisory interests are writing the field of Fine Art, specialising in drawing and printmaking. My research is rooted in landscape, focusing on environments that are undergoing change and transformation. I undertake this through field-based research, frequently in dialogue with scientists. 

For further supervisory staff including cross-disciplinary options, please visit research staff on our research website.  

Making an application

You will apply to the University of Brighton through our online application portal. When you do, you will require a research proposal, references, a personal statement and a record of your education.

You will be asked whether you have discussed your research proposal and your suitability for doctoral study with a member of the University of Brighton staff. We recommend that all applications are made with the collaboration of at least one potential supervisor. Approaches to potential supervisors can be made directly through the details available online. If you are unsure, please do contact the Doctoral College for advice.

Please visit our How to apply for a PhD page for detailed information.

Sign in to our online application portal to begin.

Fees and funding

 Funding

Undertaking research study will require university fees as well as support for your research activities and plans for subsistence during full or part-time study.

Funding sources include self-funding, funding by an employer or industrial partners; there are competitive funding opportunities available in most disciplines through, for example, our own university studentships or national (UK) research councils. International students may have options from either their home-based research funding organisations or may be eligible for some UK funds.

Learn more about the funding opportunities available to you.

Tuition fees academic year 2023–24

Standard fees are listed below, but may vary depending on subject area. Some subject areas may charge bench fees/consumables; this will be decided as part of any offer made. Fees for UK and international/EU students on full-time and part-time courses are likely to incur a small inflation rise each year of a research programme.

Contact Brighton Doctoral College

To contact the Doctoral College at the University of Brighton we request an email in the first instance. Please visit our contact the Brighton Doctoral College page .

For supervisory contact, please see individual profile pages.

MPhil/PhD at UCA

MPhil/PhD at UCA at UCA

A PhD is an advanced postgraduate qualification that will require you to plan and complete your own focused investigation into a subject you have chosen, and produce a piece of original research that contributes new knowledge to the academic community.

As a research student at UCA, you’ll have the option to choose a traditional or practice-based route for your studies. Whichever you choose, you’ll develop an original written thesis, and practice-based candidates will need to produce accompanying creative work. 

To find out more about research degrees at UCA, please see our Research Degrees information:

Research Degrees at UCA

Course entry options

Select from the options below to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

Personalise your experience

Graduate Research

Doctor of Philosophy - Fine Arts and Music

• Course code:   DR-PHILFAM

Course overview

Course description.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

The PhD thesis demonstrates authority in the candidate's field and shows evidence of command of knowledge in relevant fields. It shows that the candidate has a thorough grasp of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations. The thesis also makes a distinct contribution to knowledge. Its contribution to knowledge rests on originality of approach and / or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts. The thesis demonstrates an ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context. It is a careful, rigorous and sustained piece of work demonstrating that a research 'apprenticeship' is complete and the holder is admitted to the community of scholars in the discipline.

In scope, the PhD thesis differs from a research Masters thesis chiefly by its deeper and more comprehensive treatment of the chosen subject. It is written succinctly, in English, unless approval has been given for the thesis to be written in a language other than English. The normal length of a PhD thesis is 80,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices. Footnotes are included as part of the word limit. The thesis should not exceed 100,000 words (or equivalent) without special approval from the Research Higher Degrees Committee.

The duration of Doctor of Philosophy-Fine Arts and Music candidature is three years for full-time candidates, two six month extensions are allowed.

Except in the disciplines of Creative Arts Therapies, Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology, the thesis may be submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation. Any thesis submitted as Creative Work and Dissertation will be examined as an integrated whole.

The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music offers PhD programmes in the following disciplines:

At the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music:

• Composition
• Interactive Composition
• Jazz & Improvisation
• Music Performance
• Music Psychology
• Music Therapy
• Musicology/Ethnomusicology

At the Victorian College of the Arts

• Design and Production
• Film and Television
• Indigenous Arts and Culture
• Music Theatre

Through the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music

• Creative Arts Therapies

Related study areas

• Arts and culture
• Creative arts and music therapy
• Film and television
• Indigenous arts and culture
• Jazz and improvisation
• Music performance
• Music theatre
• Music, visual and performing arts
• Musicology and ethnomusicology
• Performing arts

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, phd in creative writing & literature, at home in usc’s department of english,.

the Ph.D. in CREATIVE WRITING & LITERATURE PROGRAM is one of the few dual Ph.D. programs in the country that weaves the disciplines of literature and creative work into a single educational experience. Students complete coursework in both creative writing and literature. The dissertation project is comprised of creative and critical manuscripts, both of which are essential for completion of the degree.

USC CREATIVE WRITING FACULTY include recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, Guggenheim Fellowships, the National Book Award, National Endowment for the Arts grants, Pushcart Prizes and other prestigious recognitions for their exemplary writing and dedication to their creative and scholarly work. As professors, the faculty are committed to developing innovative seminars and guiding students in the cultivation of their abilities as writers and scholars. Each incoming student is assigned a faculty mentor, with whom the student will work closely during their years at USC. While Creative Writing faculty teach critical courses from time to time, most of these literature and theory-based seminars are led by the faculty in the Department of English, all of whom are impressively accomplished scholars who are devoted to the scholarly growth of their graduate students.

Our program prizes INTERDISCIPLINARY SCHOLARSHIP, so students are encouraged to cultivate their diverse interests with courses outside of the English Department. Many students choose to pursue a complimentary graduate certificate concurrent with the Ph.D. degree. The Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences offers graduate certificate programs in Gender Studies, Visual Studies, East Asian Studies and Visual Anthropology, among others.

IN ADDITION TO COURSEWORK, students have the opportunity to participate in Ph.D. student-run projects such as The Loudest Voice, a reading series, and Gold Line Press , a publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry chapbooks.

Though known for its competitive sports teams, USC also organizes an array of stimulating events throughout the year, including the English Department’s Boudreaux Visiting Writers Series and Frank N. Magill Poetry Series, as well as the University-wide Visions & Voices series, which features diverse and dynamic performances, lectures, and discussions that extend the arts and humanities beyond the classroom.

USC also hosts the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books — one of the largest literary events in the nation. USC itself is located in the heart of beautiful Los Angeles, an international city with a vibrant arts scene, just miles from the beach or hiking trails; students will never be at a loss for something to do.

ADMISSION is extremely competitive: the program accepts 2 or 3 writers per genre every year from hundreds of applicants. All incoming students receive five years of guaranteed funding — three years of fellowship and two of teaching assistantship. Fellowship years are granted during the first, second, and fourth years of study. Funding packages also cover full tuition remission and health insurance.

OUR STUDENTS and ALUMNI have published book-length works and collections with Alice James Books, Anhinga Press, Black Lawrence Press, Copper Canyon Press, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Hogarth, Northwestern University Press, Other Press, Penguin, Red Hen Press, Saturnalia, Siglio Press, Slope Editions, Tebot Bach, Ugly Duckling Presse, University of Iowa Press, and White Pine Press, among others. Their books, poems, stories, and essays have garnered an impressive array of accolades.

For information concerning admission, please visit our Application page.

Many questions concerning the Creative Writing & Literature Program are answered on our FAQ page.

If you do not find the information you are looking for on our website, please feel free to contact us.

Ph.D. in Creative Writing & Literature

3501 Trousdale Parkway

Taper Hall of Humanities 431

Los Angeles, CA  90089-0354

Office Hours

Monday — Friday

8:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

Times may adjust in accordance with university holidays.

Stay Up-to-Date

PhD Creative Arts

The minimum requirement is an honours degree (normally at least 2:1 or above) in an appropriate discipline, but a postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject area is also desirable. IELTS entry requirement is normally a minimum of 6.5 or equivalent for overseas students, but a higher score is desirable.

Before making your formal application, we recommend that you discuss your proposed research with the School’s Research Tutor, Dr Pat Simpson (see below under Key Staff for contact details).  

For details of how to apply please contact [email protected] .

When applying, please include an outline research proposal of around 1000-2000 words.

How to write a research degree proposal  

About the course

A University of Hertfordshire PhD degree is an internationally recognised research degree signifying very high levels of achievement in research, and an original contribution to knowledge in the student’s chosen field.

In the School of Creative Arts, a PhD may be undertaken in 3 years (full-time) or 6 years (part-time) in any creative arts discipline that the School engages with, and for which we have appropriately qualified supervisory staff.  We have a wide range of expertise in historical and theoretical research, as well as in practice-led/practice-based research, relating to the fine and applied arts, film, media and TV studies, interior and architecture design, music and the music industry.

During the period of PhD study you will develop extensive subject expertise and independent research skills, which are honed over an extended period of time. You will undertake a substantial self-directed research project for the duration of the degree, in negotiation with two or more academic members of staff, who are your supervisors.  In addition, you will also engage with a negotiated programme of selected generic skills development and careers workshops provided by the University of Hertfordshire Doctoral College, as well as discipline-specific research training provided by the School. 

Your proposed PhD project may be purely theoretical or practice-led/practice-based. If there is a practice element in your project, one of your supervisors will be a practitioner in an appropriate discipline, and appropriate studio space and/or workshop facilities will be made available if necessary. The School has a wide range of outstanding facilities for researchers in the broad area of creative arts, and the University library has an excellent range of relevant and up-to-date resources to support research in this area.

During the course of the degree, you would typically be expected to present your research at internal and external seminars and conferences, and to exhibit your practical work if it is part of the research project. Some opportunities in this regard may be provided by the School and/or the University. 

Teaching methods

Research degrees are not taught programmes, however, programmes of supporting studies are a key element.

PhD study in the School of Creative Arts requires regular attendance on campus, so this degree cannot normally be undertaken online from your home country, unlike the Professional Doctorates in Fine Art (DFA) and Design (DDes) . 

The School of Creative Arts has a lively research community staffed by supervisors whose research is world leading, Supervisory teams provide guidance in helping you to formulate and develop your research during the course of the programme. A minimum of 3 full-team supervisions per academic year is mandatory for full-time students (pro-rata for part-time students) but typically meetings with the full team and with individual supervisors is more frequent.

We offer a range of subject specific research training throughout various research group seminars. Our research students are strongly encouraged to participate in modules in our taught Masters programmes, and the University also has an extensive Researcher Development Programme, which is provided by the UH Doctoral College and offers generic research training.

The PhD in the School of Creative Arts has three main assessment points after enrolment: Initial registration for the degree after 8 months (for both full-time and part-time students); the doctoral progression after 18 months for full-time and pro-rata for part time students, and the final examination.

Your research project will be examined on the basis of the final submission, which may include a combination of both written and non-textual material that must be "defended" in a viva and contain a thesis (a position that can be defended by substantiated argument), and a clearly stated original contribution to knowledge in the field.

Course experts

Dr Pat Simpson Find out more about Dr Pat Simpson

What’s next for my career?

• An internationally recognised research qualification.
• Develop advanced subject expertise at postgraduate level.
• Develop research skills through practice and extensive research experience.
• Employers are looking for high calibre graduates with advanced skills who can demonstrate independent, creative thinking and problem-solving through research.

Course fees

• Research degree fees for UK and EU students
• Research degree fees for international students

Want to know more about research degree fees? Find out what you need to know below:

#UHClearing

Search form (GSE) 1

Expressive therapies.

• Overview & Curriculum
• Program Features
• Program Costs
• Apply Now Request More Info

Apply research and creativity to spark individual and societal change.

Transform individuals and communities through creativity, scholarship, and collaboration. Enhance your practice and become a leader in expressive therapies through this low-residency doctoral program, which interweaves artistic expression and inquiry with a focus on research. Join with Lesley’s world-recognized faculty and other committed professionals to expand the theory and practice of expressive therapies, exploring new opportunities for research and global impact.

Lesley University’s doctoral program in expressive therapies provides you with the opportunity for in-depth study, artistic growth, and professional development regardless of your arts therapy specialization.

Guided by your own interests and experience, you’ll conduct relevant research and contribute new scholarship to the field. Whether you’re looking to further your career in higher education or become a leader in an arts therapy discipline, our program is designed to help you meet your goals.

The low-residency model provides a convenient format that allows you to expand your knowledge base in expressive therapies, while accommodating your work schedule and personal life. Complete a 2-week on-campus residency for three summers. During the residency, you’ll meet with your faculty advisor, attend seminars and classes, design research projects, and collaborate with other doctoral students. Between residencies, continue your work from home while staying connected with your faculty advisor and peers via online class sessions.

Program Structure

Low-Residency Doctoral Program

• To enroll in this program, you’ll need to show proof of: - An earned master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. - Certification or registration in one of the expressive therapies modalities (art therapy, dance therapy, drama therapy, expressive arts therapy, music therapy, play therapy, poetry therapy, or psychodrama). - Demonstration of good communication skills in the English language, both written and oral, at a level appropriate to doctoral study. - Demonstration of satisfactory performance on the GRE or the MAT examination. The Lesley University CEEB number is 3483 for the GRE and 1214 for the MAT. - A minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience as an expressive therapist.
• - Shifting Power Paradigms in Research - Arts Based Research I - Philosophical Foundations of Expressive Therapies - Critical Inquiry I - Research: Quantitative I - Research: Qualitative I
• - Critical Inquiry II - Research II - Research II: Qualitative II - Literature Review - Research II: Quantitative II - Arts Based Research II
• - Interdisciplinary Seminar - Leadership in Expressive Therapies - Professional Seminar
• Complete and defend your dissertation during your final years of study.

Low-Residency Format

Participate in one 2-week summer residency on Lesley University’s Cambridge campus for the first 3 years of your program. Between residencies, continue your studies online with Lesley faculty, devoting significant weekly time toward doctoral study. Your final years are dedicated to off-site, independent work on your dissertation with support from your faculty advisors. 

Innovators in the Field

Established over 40 years ago, we were the first graduate program in the U.S. to train professionals in this emerging field. Today our program is the largest of its kind and remains at the forefront of innovation. Our reputation and outstanding faculty—all practitioners in the arts—are what attract students from around the world.

Myriam Savage ’15

Expressive arts therapy can treat:.

How Creative Expression Can Benefit Older Adults

Mitchell kossak receives 'shining star' award.

Cambridge, MA

A nexus for higher education and mental health counseling practice and research, each year 250,000 students arrive to Cambridge from around the globe. The intellectual and cultural capital runs deep, and so do your opportunities addressing barriers to wellness. From Lesley’s location, access innovative community, hospital, and school-based mental health programs.

• Mental Health Therapist
• Music Therapist
• Art Therapist
• Drama Therapist
• Creative Therapist
• Dance/Movement Therapist
• Expressive Arts Therapist
• Universities and Colleges
• Mental Health Clinics
• Psychiatric Clinics
• Assisted Living Facilities
• Correctional Facilities

Professor of Expressive Therapies

Dr. Robyn Cruz’s clinical work has spanned populations such as adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses and children and adolescents with trauma and substance abuse issues. Her doctoral degree is in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Measurement and Methodology. She has worked as a research methodologist and research consultant, taught doctoral students since 1995, and has taught graduate courses in dance therapy, research methods, and statistics to students from many disciplines in the US, Europe, and South America.

Her courses reflect her interests in creative arts therapies research that uses the broad range of available methods and particularly, incorporating research thinking and resources into creative arts therapies clinical practices. Her teaching philosophy and practice are grounded in a professional collaboration model that reflects skills honed by teaching statistics to doctoral students from many disciplines at the University of Arizona. She uses a model based on the fact that students learn least from an instructor's oral recitation of information and most from engaging the subject matter themselves.

Robyn believes that policy and leadership go hand-in-hand with creative arts therapies and are important for the continued development and viability of these professions. She has devoted years of service to the University and to the Creative Arts Therapies community at large. She served as Co-Chair for the Lesley University Institutional Review Board from 2012-2021, and as IRB member from 2005 to the present. She was featured in the Lesley University 2012 Annual Report.

She is a past President of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), serving four years as Vice President and four years as President of the organization. In these capacities she regularly visited Washington, DC to speak with lawmakers about creative arts therapies with respect to access for clients and licensing. As ADTA President, she introduced the Multicultural and Diversity Committee to the ADTA Board of Directors. This was the first new standing committee created in the organization in over 25 years.

Robyn also brought the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board, a separate credentialing body for dance therapy, and new credentials (R-DMT and BC-DMT) into existence during her presidency, creating new professional opportunities and oversight for professional dance therapists. She is a former editor of American Journal of Dance Therapy, and served as Editor-in-Chief of The Arts in Psychotherapy from 2002 to 2015. She is past Chairperson of the National Coalition for Creative Arts Therapies Associations.  

Michele Forinash

Professor, Director of the PhD in Expressive Therapies

Dr. Forinash is Professor and Director of the PhD program in Expressive Therapies at Lesley University. A graduate of Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, Dr. Forinash completed her master’s and doctorate at New York University. She is a past president of the American Music Therapy Association and a past chair of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies (NCCATA). She has published articles and chapters on qualitative research, supervision, feminist music therapy, and LGBTQ awareness and has presented internationally on these topics. For ten years she served as the North American Co-Editor for the online international music therapy journal Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy ( www.voices.no ). She is also an associated supervisor for the doctoral program in music therapy at Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.

Jason Frydman

Associate Professor, Expressive Therapies

Jason S. Frydman, PhD, RCT/BCT, NCSP is associate professor of expressive therapies at Lesley University where he teaches in the doctoral expressive therapies program and co-chairs the university's institutional review board. He is a registered drama therapist/board certified trainer with the North American Drama Therapy Association, a nationally certified school psychologist with the National Association of School Psychologists, and licensed psychologist (GA). Dr. Frydman is the founder and lead researcher of the Collaborative for Creative Arts Therapies in Schools (C-CATIS), based at Lesley. He serves as the associate editor for general topics for Translational Issues in Psychological Science and sits on the editorial boards of Drama Therapy Review and School Psychology Review. Research interests include creative arts therapies in schools, research issues in the creative arts therapies, mental health literacy, and school-based trauma-informed practices. He has served as NADTA conference co-chair, communications chair, and is immediate-past research chair. He is an invited and initial member of the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative and served on the advisory board for the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Professional service

Jason is active in professional service, including

• Co-chair of the North American Drama Therapy Association Conference (2012)
• North American Drama Therapy Association Communications Chair (2012-2015) and Research Chair (2019-2021)
• Guest co-editor of the Drama Therapy Review (DTR) special issue: Drama Therapy in the Schools (5.1)
• Current editorial boards include the Drama Therapy Review, School Psychology Review , and Translational Issues in Psychological Science

Mitchell Kossak

Professor/Coordinator of Expressive Therapies

Dr. Mitchell Kossak , LMHC, REAT is a professor in the Department of Graduate Expressive Therapies at Lesley University. He served as Department Chair from 2006 to 2013. He was the President and Executive Co-Chair for the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA) 2010-2016. He has been a licensed mental health counselor, since 1994, and is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT).

He is the Associate Editor of the Journal of Applied Arts and Health and Co-Chair of the Institute for Arts and Health at Lesley University. His clinical work combines expressive arts therapies with body-centered approaches with a variety of populations addressing issues such as chronic pain, recovery from trauma, depression, anxiety, life transitions and relationships. In addition he has worked extensively with autistic children and adults. Mitchell has trained in a variety of mind body modalities including Polarity Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and Bioenergetics. In Expressive Arts Therapies he has training in music therapy, experimental theater, psychodrama, and authentic movement. He studied Sound Healing with innovators in the field of sacred sound and transformation of consciousness, such as Dr. John Beaulieu author of Music and Sound in the Healing Arts and Silvia Nakkach director of the Vox Mundi Project. In addition to this training, he has studied and practiced energy based healing forms such as Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Vipassana meditation, and Iyengar yoga for over 30 years. He earned his doctorate from the Union Institute and University in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy and transpersonal psychology. He has written about and presented his research on rhythmic attunement, improvisation, psychospiritual and community-based approaches to working with trauma and embodied states of consciousness at conferences nationally and internationally. He is the author of Attunement in Expressive Arts Therapy:  Toward an Understanding of Embodied Empathy. He is the Associate Editor of The Journal of Applied Arts and Health and Co-Chair of the Institute for Arts and Health at Lesley University. 

Mitchell Kossak is also a professional musician, performing for the past 30 years in the Boston area.

Kelvin Ramirez

Associate Professor/Coordinator of Art Therapy

Dr. Kelvin Ramirez is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) and core faculty member of the Department of Graduate Expressive Therapies . Kelvin is a Board Member of FNE International, a 501(c)3 organization that partners with communities in developing nations to identify opportunities to advance housing, health and education. With that international experience, Kelvin continues to collaborate and develops programs with educators, clinicians, and community leaders in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and India. He has developed academic curriculum that build and reinforce initiatives in Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, Haiti and India.

Prior to joining Lesley, Kelvin was the vice principal of a high school in the South Bronx where he developed and incorporated art therapy within educational systems to enhance student’s personal and academic growth. During his 9-year tenure as vice principal, art therapy was infused throughout the academic and therapeutic approaches of the school, increasing retention and shifting behavioral approaches to enhance students' socio-emotional development.

Kelvin has taught for the Counseling Division at the College of New Rochelle and the Clinical Art Therapy Program at Long Island University C.W. Post.

His current areas of interest and research include:

• The development of international art therapy initiatives that conform to the specific needs of communities
• Contemporary social justice issues
• How art therapy addresses or ignores systemic oppression
• The underrepresentation of people of color within the field of art therapy and the implications of this on theory and practice
• The connections between horticultural therapy and art therapy to transform communities

Teaching is important to Kelvin, because it is through this act of service that people are prepared to direct their destinies and author their own stories. It is a profession that entrusts educators with the malleable minds of the future. Kelvin holds fast to the unwavering ideals that brought him to education, including that social injustices can only be remedied by an educated populous, that an educated mind is a mind called into action for the betterment of all human kind, and that through educating our future generations, our positive influence on the world will continue long after we expire.

Jason Butler

Professor of Drama Therapy, Department Chair of Graduate Expressive Therapies

Dr. Jason D. Butler  is a Registered Drama Therapist, Board Certified Trainer, and New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist. Jason is a former President of the North American Drama Therapy Association (NADTA) and previously served on the NADTA Board of Directors as President-Elect and Communications Chair. He is the editor-in-chief for  The Arts in Psychotherapy and the former training director for DvT Montreal, a satellite of the Institute for Developmental Transformations.

Prior to joining Lesley University, Jason was a professor in Creative Arts Therapy at Montreal's Concordia University, serving for a portion of that time as the graduate program director for drama therapy and a member of the Arts in Health Research Collective.   Jason is an internationally known drama therapist, having presented on drama therapy in many countries, including the Czech Republic, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Lesley University and at New York University and was one of the first recipients of the NADTA Teaching Excellence Award in 2012. 

Prior to being a full-time professor, Jason was the director of Goddard Riverside Community Center’s The Other Place, a psycho-social program and drop-in center for homelessness and mental illness in New York City. Prior to finding drama therapy, he was a high school theatre teacher. His publications include articles and book chapters on drama therapy education, arts therapies pedagogy, schizophrenia, developmental transformations, and role theory. His current research includes an exploration of the drama therapy student experience as well as the application of drama therapy theory to experiential learning.

• Low-Residency
• Tuition $1,150/credit x 45 $51,750
• Fees PhD Matriculation Fees $12,000 Registration Fee $40 Comprehensive Fee $1,125

All graduate students are reviewed for merit scholarships through the admissions process and are awarded at the time of acceptance. Other forms of  financial aid  are also available. Review all  graduate tuition and fees , and what they cover. Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective in the Summer term.

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Next steps to apply

IEATA International Expressive Arts Therapy Association ®

EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY RESOURCES (MULTI-MODAL)

Doctorate Degree

*Please note this information is not being updated. A new education and training directory is being created with  searchable function to view: ​ https://ieata.memberclicks.net/profession

UNITED STATES

LESLEY UNIVERSITY

CAMBRIDGE, MA Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies ​

CONTACT [email protected]

617.349.8300 www.lesley.edu/phd_exth.html

SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITY FOR INTEGRATIVE STUDIES

SAN DIEGO, CA

PhD in Psychology with a Specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy

Online Program

CONTACT [email protected]

[email protected]

www.sduis.edu

EUROPEAN GRADUATE SCHOOL

SWITZERLAND Doctoral Program in Expressive Arts:

Therapy, Coaching, Consulting and Education, Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding

Low-Residency Program During Summers

CONTACT www.expressivearts.egs.edu

+41 27 474 99 17

+41 27 474 99 18

Note: Affiliated with Appalachian State University (Keith M. Davis at  [email protected] ). Programs exchange/transfer academic credits. In Europe, affiliated with Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Hamburg, Germany(Gabriele Bastians at [email protected] )

NORTH AMERICA

APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Expressive Arts, Leadership, and Inquiry  

The concentration in Expressive Arts, Leadership, and Inquiry will equip doctoral students with enhanced discernment and imagination that enriches leadership work across the spectrum of pK-20. Students in this concentration will become leaders using multi-modal expressive arts theory and inquiry to promote human flourishing,

View Graduate Bulletin for more details about course requirements.

For further information about the expressive arts program and other related resources, please visit www.expressivearts.appstate.edu or email us at [email protected]

Dr. Audrey Dentith

Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership Director and Professor Phone: 828-262-8382 [email protected]  

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

MAKAWAO, MAUI, HI PhD in Expressive Arts Therapy (two to four years, depending on Academic Study Plan and preparation of Doctorate Dissertation)

Program established in 1994 includes multi-modal expressive arts and exploration of each modality

CONTACT Elise Kert, Registrar, 800-806-0317, 808-573-7722 fax

[email protected] ,  [email protected] OR  Alessandra Colfi, Assistant to the Director, Expressive Arts Therapy Department

[email protected]

www.iups.edu

UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES

199 Aba Khoushy Av. Mount Carmel, Haifa, 31905, Israel

Two year training in Hebrew, offering MA in Creative Arts Therapies with a concentration in Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Psychodrama, Music Therapy, or Dance/Movement Therapy. PhD at the School of Creative Arts Therapies

Webpage:   http://hw.haifa.ac.il/en/art-home

Phone:   +(972)4.824.9750

Contact: Dr. Hod Orkibi, PhD,  [email protected]

The International Expressive Arts Therapy Association® (IEATA®) provides these resources as a courtesy for those interested in exploring the expressive arts. IEATA® assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information. IEATA® is not connected with any listed organization and does not endorse any educational institution as an official expressive arts training program. Individuals seeking a career in the expressive arts are encouraged to seek appropriate counseling from the institution of their choice. IEATA® and its representatives are not able to provide recommendations for any of these programs. If you know of a program or school that could be added to our listing, please contact the  Educational Resources Committee

Lomonosov Moscow State University

Preparatory course (pre-university programme).

• Duration of study: March 2024 – July 2025.
• Holidays: July – August 2024.
• Start date: 1 March – 30 March 2024.
• Exams: June 2025.
• Tuition: $8900.
• The level of Russian: Beginner.
• Duration of study: September/October 2024 – July 2025.
• Start date: September – October.
• Tuition: $7000.
• The level of Russian: All levels.

• 1 BUSINESS SCHOOL
• 2 FACULTY OF BIOENGINEERING AND BIOINFORMATICS
• 3 FACULTY OF BIOLOGY
• 4 FACULTY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
• 5 FACULTY OF CHEMISTRY
• 6 FACULTY OF COMPUTATIONAL MATHEMATICS AND CYBERNETICS
• 7 FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES
• 8 FACULTY OF ECONOMICS
• 9 FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
• 10 FACULTY OF FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS
• 11 FACULTY OF FUNDAMENTAL MEDICINE
• 12 FACULTY OF FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL ENGENEERING
• 13 FACULTY OF GEOLOGY
• 14 FACULTY OF GEOGRAPHY
• 15 FACULTY OF HISTORY
• 16 FACULTY OF JOURNALISM
• 17 FACULTY OF LAW
• 18 FACULTY OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
• 19 FACULTY OF MECHANICS AND MATHEMATICS
• 20 FACULTY OF PHYSICS
• 21 FACULTY OF PHILOLOGY
• 22 FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY
• 23 FACULTY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• 24 FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY
• 25 FACULTY OF WORLD POLITICS
• 26 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
• 27 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND INNOVATION
• 28 GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINIASTRATION
• 29 HIGHER SCHOOL OF MODERN SOCIAL SCIENCES
• 30 HIGHER SCHOOL OF POLICY IN CULTURE AND ADMINISTRATION IN HUMANITIES
• 31 HIGHER SCHOOL OF STATE AUDIT
• 32 HIGHER SCHOOL OF TRANSLATION/INTERPRETING
• 33 HIGHER SCHOOL OF TELEVISION STUDIES
• 34 INSTITUTE OF ASIAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES
• 35 MOSCOW SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
• 36 SOIL SCIENCE FACULTY
• Admission procedure

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

The PAD Podcast Episode 2: Emily Wells

On this episode of the PAD podcast, Rob interviews ⁠Emily Wells⁠ - an award-winning WashU alum with experience in stage managing, directing, and creative producing.

Emily Wells Podcast - smaller headshot.png

Listen on Spotify ┃ Listen on Amazon Music ┃ Listen on PocketCasts ┃ Listen on YouTube Music    

Emily is the Artistic Director of the ⁠ Human Race Theatre Company ⁠ in Dayton, Ohio after spending a number of years producing at ⁠ Houston Grand Opera ⁠ and ⁠ Portland Center Stage ⁠. Emily talks about what the PAD taught her about advocating for her art and  multidisciplinary collaboration. Don't miss this inspiring episode! 

in the news:

Q & A With Retiring Professor Henry Schvey

Sophie Capobianco recognized at the 29th Annual Graduate Research Symposium

PAD Faculty, Alumni and Edison Theatre Colleagues Among 2024 St. Louis Theatre Circle Award Nominees and Honorees

The PAD Podcast Episode 1: Carolyn Kras

Arts & Culture Unit

Arts & culture unit.

Acting Head: Dr. David Philip Wick , Retired Professor of History, Gordon College, USA. Deputy Head: Dr. Peter Walther Baur , Associate Professor, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Previous Heads:

• Dr. Stephen Andrew Arbury , Professor of Art History, Radford University, USA. (2010-2023)

Upcoming Conference of the Arts & Culture  Unit :

• Annual International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts
• Annual International Symposium on Culture

Other Conferences Sponsored by the Arts & Culture Unit:

• Annual International Conference on Humanities & Arts in a Global World
• Annual International Conference on Mediterranean Studies

Publications of the Arts & Culture Unit:

• Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts
• Visual and Performing Arts Book Publications Series
• Visual and Performing Arts Paper Series
• Visual and Performing Arts Abstract Book Series

Academic Members of the Arts & Culture Unit

• Contact QUT Contact QUT

Undergraduate creative arts

Study creative arts and be part of the creative economy. Meet like-minded peers in our exciting community, work on real-world projects, and graduate with a unique and employable skill set.

Explore our courses

Bachelor of fine arts.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree provides in depth knowledge in one of nine study areas - the largest combination of creative disciplines in Australia. Collaborate with students and teaching staff from across disciplines to reflect industry practice, and work on real-world projects briefed by real clients.

Bachelor of Creative Industries

Study across creative practice, design and communication in one degree. Our Bachelor of Creative Industries, the first degree of its kind in Australia, allows you to choose a combination of study areas to suit your creative interests and aspirations.

Double degrees

A double degree can help develop a portfolio of skills and capabilities so you will be flexible and prepared for change in the real world. Save time and money instead of completing two separate degrees. Maximise your career opportunities and create your own specialist career niche within the creative industries by combining your degree with a complementary study area that interests you.

Discover double degrees

Why study creative arts?

Tour the creative industries precinct, creativity for the real world, explore our fine arts study areas, creative industries precinct.

The Creative Industries Precinct is made up of purpose-built teaching and learning spaces, including performance spaces, visual art galleries and music studios. The spaces are designed to make the creative process more visible, with windows and viewing panels allowing anyone to watch the work as it happens.

Explore more

Double degree. Double opportunities.

A double degree can help you develop a portfolio of skills and capabilities to prepare you for the real world. Maximise your career opportunities and create your own specialist career niche within the creative arts by combining a degree with a complementary study area.

Find the right double degree for you

Check out our latest blog posts

14 September, 2023

The job-ready skills you’ll learn in creative industries

Learn all the secrets of studying creative industries, and the job-ready skills you'll pick up along the way.

1 August, 2023

Virtual production powerhouse Vizion gives students industry-leading experience

Learn about the experience QUT Creative Arts students were given to collaborate with Vizion, an industry-leading virtual production powerhouse.

Rainbow Reid: Bringing industry insights into QUT fine arts

QUT’s exclusive Rainbow Reid program helps fund directors, writers, actors and more from industry to help train students for the real world.

Want to study across the creative arts?

QUT is a global leader in the creative arts. Our Bachelor of Creative Industries, the first degree of its kind in Australia, allows you to choose a combination of study areas to suit your creative interests and aspirations.

We're planning more great events for you soon! Check back later to see what's on.

Take a virtual tour

Explore our campuses with 360⁰ videos and 3D tours of the facilities available to our students.

Additional entry: applications close early

Acting, dance, music, visual arts.

Apply to QTAC and submit your additional entry application with QUT by 5pm, 26 September 2022

Additional entry requirements

Apr. 24, 2024

Moody fellow to graduate with distinction in creative works, rice senior ayla davis used fellowship to complete documentary about sister’s hearing loss.

The exchange is a personal one, captured on camera by Rice senior Ayla Davis, who is interviewing Nathania Davis-Fox about her hearing loss.

“How do you feel about that?” Davis asks after Davis-Fox shares that the condition may eventually result in total hearing loss.

“Scared. Anxious,” Davis-Fox tells Davis. “A little hopeless. Kind of desperate.”

The conversation is part of Davis’ documentary, “ The Idea of Never ,” which spotlights her older sister’s challenges living with a hearing disability.

“She discussed how her hearing loss can sometimes be difficult in social situations and at work because people don’t realize that she’s hearing impaired,” Davis said. “It’s been really interesting for me to get to know more about her experience and her relationship with everyone around her.”

For the past 10 months, Davis has been making the drive from Houston to Fort Worth where her sister lives to film interviews and document Davis-Fox’s life.

“She’s lost about half of her hearing so far, and she’s only 24 years old,” David said, adding that Davis-Fox is married and attending law school at Texas A&M University. “What I’m trying to get at in my documentary is figuring out what it’s like to live with this hearing disability and how can I make her life easier?”

“The glory of the filmmaking is the fact that the process of making has served to bring the lives of both sisters closer together,” said art professor Brian Huberman , who has taught Davis throughout her Rice career. “She started during the challenging COVID days when classes were online, and she was a thumbnail on my monitor.”

Davis is, in Huberman’s words, “a jewel in the filmmaking community.”

“A lot of students try the film experience but move on when they discover the stamina and discipline that is required to work in this medium,” Huberman said. “Ayla demonstrates with her documentary that she has the right stuff.”

A recipient  of the Elizabeth Lee Moody Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the Humanities and the Arts , Davis was provided $3,500 in funding to work on the research project of her choice with the expectation that she invest at least 200 hours in it. The fellowship’s goal is to create a vibrant undergraduate community at Rice focused on advancing critical and innovative scholarly and creative endeavors in the humanities and arts. By allowing students to select their own project, the program fosters diverse forms of humanities-driven exploration and innovation, encompassing everything from traditional text-based research to creative and curatorial projects.

“I thought it was great because it was so open-ended,” Davis said, explaining why she decided to apply for the fellowship. “You truly pursue or research whatever you’re interested in. I saw it as an opportunity to work on a film.”

She also tapped into experiences within the Department of Art to produce, shoot, write and edit the documentary, most recently in assistant art professor Sindhu Thirumalaisamy ’s film studio class.

“She’s been watching my cuts of it and giving me feedback,” Davis said. “She’s honestly one of the best professors that I’ve ever had, but it is a very hard class.”

Davis also attributes her success at Rice to mentors Huberman and Charles Dove , professor in the practice of film and director of Rice Cinema.

“She is the living embodiment of what we hope for our majors within the art department,” Dove said.

Dove listed off Davis’ accomplishments, which include planning events and the annual festival of films as an intern for the Houston Cinema Arts Society , programming and introducing a series of Robert Frank’s experimental films as the William Camfield Fellow for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston  and working as projectionist for Rice Cinema .

“She combines the filmmaking side of working in the arts with the exhibition side,” Dove said. “She has an understanding of the ways in which films circulate through museums and universities that can help her moving forward in her life. She has the kind of personality and poise that are necessary for that work.”

For that reason, Davis received one of the art department’s senior awards April 18, which is also when Davis learned she will graduate with a distinction in creative works.

“The film program is what you make of it,” Davis said. “All the most valuable things that I’ve learned have been from meeting people. You can learn so much just from talking to other artists. So everyone should do that. All the time.”

Get your daily rundown of Philly happenings in less than 10 minutes

Billy Penn at WHYY

Philadelphia local news: Neighborhoods, politics, food, and fun

Ten legendary jazz musicians from Philadelphia you should know

💡 Get Philly smart 💡 with BP’s free daily newsletter

Read the news of the day in less than 10 minutes — not that we’re counting.

Philadelphia is often hailed as one of the greatest music cities in the country . Genres such as R&B, soul, rock, funk, disco, and hip-hop can all trace their roots to Philly. When it comes to jazz, Philadelphia has been incredibly influential in the development of the genre. Since its embryonic stage, Philly has been the launching pad of some of the most celebrated artists in jazz.

Dr. Diane Turner , curator of the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University and author of Philadelphia Jazz (Images of America) shared her insight about the history of Philadelphia jazz

“The city of Philadelphia is a cradle of jazz. It has a rich and significant jazz history that can be traced back to Black musical organizations in the nineteenth century,” Turner told Billy Penn. 

On the current scene, standard-bearers of jazz include the likes of Arnetta Johnson, Deborah Smith, Jonathan Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Justin Faulkner, Daud El-Bakara, Nazir Ebo, Chris Lewis, and more who are keeping jazz alive as innovative musicians.

The city pays tribute to its musical legacy with a series of performances throughout the month of April as part of Jazz Appreciation Month.

While not an all-encompassing list, to pay homage to some of the legends of the genre and to commemorate Jazz Appreciation Month, here are ten legendary jazz musicians from Philadelphia you need to know.

1. John Coltrane – Saxophonist

A creative mastermind of the highest order, John Coltrane’s name is etched in the annals of history as one the greatest musicians of all time.  While born in North Carolina, Coltrane moved to Philadelphia where he studied music following a stint in the U.S. Navy. In 1952, Coltrane purchased a home at 1511 North 33rd Street in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia which is now a National Historic Landmark.

He would go on to collaborate with other greats such as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington. As a band leader, he recorded pioneering projects such as “In a Sentimental Mood,” “A Love Supreme,” and “Giant Steps.” Although he died at 40 years old, his legacy still looms large throughout the city in murals bearing his likeness. 

2. Billie Holiday – Vocalist

Before becoming the incomparable Billie Holiday, “Lady Day” was born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia in 1915. Eventually, she relocated to Harlem where she was discovered by producer John Hammond and would make her first recording with a group led by clarinetist star-in-the-making Benny Goodman. 

When she broke out on her own, she would change jazz forever. She recorded “Strange Fruit,” which detailed the lynching of Black people across the country. With Arthur Herzog, Jr., she penned “God Bless The Child,” which would become a standard in the American songbook. She died at the age of 44, but her music continued to live on . Proving her lasting legacy, the film “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” starring Andra Day as “Lady Day,” was released in 2021.

3. The Heath Brothers

Without question, The Heath Brothers are a musical institution in Philadelphia. Comprised of brothers Jimmy (tenor saxophone), Percy (bass), and Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums); and pianist Stanley Cowell. Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Mtume (percussion), the son of Jimmy, also played with the group. 

The group would release many LPs including “Marchin’ On” (1975), “Paris ’76” (1976), “Passin’ Thru” (1978), “Live at the Public Theatre” (1979), “In Motion” (1979), “Expressions of Life” (1980), “Brotherly Love” (1981), and many more. While Percy, Jimmy, Albert, and Mtume have all passed away, their contributions to the Philadelphia Jazz scene will never be forgotten.

4. Stanley Clarke – Bassist

A trailblazing virtuoso on the bass, Stanley Clarke is a legendary figure in jazz and pop music. He broke boundaries by proving that a bassist could be a bandleader and star as he played to sold-out crowds across the globe with commercially successful albums. 

A Philadelphia native, Clake came to prominence after graduating from the University of the Arts and launched his career when relocated to New York City. He formed Return to Forever with Chick Corea which is hailed as one of the first jazz fusion bands and established The Stanley Clarke Band. A decorated musician, Clarke is a five-time Grammy winner and has written scores for films including “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” “Boyz n the Hood,” “Passenger 57,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” 

5. Christian McBride – Bassist

While the term “genius” can be used lightly today, Christian McBride lives up to the description. An eight-time Grammy winner and Newport Jazz Festival Artistic Director is one of the most versatile musicians on the scene today playing pizzicato, with the bow on the upright bass or the electric bass with equal dexterity. 

He is a prolific recording artist, composer-arranger-producer, and educator. Trained at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and Juilliard School, he went on to play with jazz greats such as Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Roy Haynes, Pat Metheny, and Chick Corea. He would go on to form the Christian McBride Band and The Philadelphia Experiment with drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and with Uri Caine.

Currently, he’s the host and producer of “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM satellite radio and National Public Radio’s “Jazz Night in America,” a weekly radio show and multimedia collaboration between WBGO, NPR and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

6. Stan Getz – Tenor Saxophonist

Stan Getz was an acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning tenor saxophonist who was nicknamed “The Sound,” for his beautiful tone. He made a name for himself in the genre playing in bebop and cool jazz following the influence of his hero Lestery Young. 

With his unique style, he helped take Bossa Nova to the mainstream with his hit song “The Girl from Ipanema” in 1964. Over the course of his illustrious career, Getz would explore styles of jazz and play with other legendary artists. 

In 1972, Getz recorded the jazz fusion album “Captain Marvel” with Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Tony Williams. Although he passed away in 1991, Getz’s wide-ranging career in jazz had left an indelible imprint on the genre.

7. Bootsie Barnes – Tenor Saxophonist

A giant of Philadelphia jazz, Robert “Bootsie” Barnes was a celebrated tenor saxophonist and advocate of the genre throughout his career. Coming to prominence in the1950s, Barnes played with Lee Morgan, Spanky DeBreast, Philly Joe Jones, Al “Tootie” Heath, Lex Humphries, and Bill Cosby (yes, the comedian) who was his good friend and a drummer. 

He also holds the distinction of playing with noted organists Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco, and more. From 1971-1974, he served as the youngest-ever assistant secretary of Philadelphia’s only Black Local #274 American Federation of Musicians. 

His talents took him across the world as an ambassador of Philly jazz. After years of being  “the consummate Philadelphia musician,” Barnes passed away in 2020.

8. McCoy Turner (Pianist)

Alfred McCoy Tyner was regarded as one the most influential pianists and composers of his era. The five-time Grammy Award winner was one of the first pianists to incorporate electric keyboards or synthesizers in his world. 

Tyner began piano lessons at age 13 at Granoff School of Music, where he had also studied music theory and was influenced by the stylings of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. Launching his career, he joined the quartet of John Coltrane and composed many songs. He played on Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” (1961),  “A Love Supreme” (1964), and many more. Known for an energetic style, Tyner embraced influence from African, Latin, Eastern, and bebop rhythms. Tyner was named a 2002 NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.

9. Shirley Scott (Organist)

One of the underrated sheroes of Philly jazz, Shirley Scott is an amazing pianist and organist who broke barriers in the jazz world. Known as “Queen of the Organ,” Scott mastered the Hammond B-3 organ and was a progenitor of small-group jazz. 

Melding gospel and blues for a fresh new jazz sound, Scott launched her solo career in the mid-1950s where she played with a young John Coltrane and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis. She began her solo career in 1958 where she went on to record an extensive discography of 23 albums. 

By the 1990s, Scott suffered from heart damage from the diet drug fen-phen which caused her health to deteriorate. In 2000, she won $8 million dollars in a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the drug. She died from heart failure in Philadelphia in 2002.

10. Benny Golson (saxophonist)

Born in Philadelphia, Benny Golson, at 95 years old, stands as the sole living jazz artist credited with composing eight standards for the jazz repertoire. 

Among his iconic compositions are “Killer Joe,” “Along Came Betty,” “Stablemates,” “Whisper Not,” “Blues March,” “Five Spot After Dark,” “Are You Real?,” and “I Remember Clifford,” a heartfelt homage to the renowned trumpeter Clifford Brown, who hailed from Wilmington.

Golson’s timeless jazz classics have transcended borders, gracing countless recordings worldwide and continuing to inspire musicians to this day. Golson’s unparalleled contributions to jazz not only establish him as an innovator but also redefine the essence of the genre itself.

His legendary status was enshrined in the Philadelphia Music Alliance’s Walk of Fame in 2016.

Students from multiple campuses march through Center City calling for cease-fire in Gaza

“Disappointing” Philly primary turnout could be omen for repeat in November

Sura Indian Bistro brings a “mosaic” of regional flavors to Center City

Election observers report only minor hiccups in primary election voting

Don’t look now, but the red-hot Phillies are suddenly dominating

Is your Philly mail ballot one of hundreds that needs to be fixed? Here’s how to check

Cultivating spaces for queer women in Philly

Philly manufacturer of military robot dogs is a target of Gaza war protests

Is the Phillies offense showing signs of emergence?

Former Eagle Jason Kelce lost his Super Bowl LII ring in probably the most Cincinnati way ever

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

At michigan state university, frib hosts nobel prize-winning physicist for talk on modern metric system.

FRIB is hosting William Phillips, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, for a special talk titled “The Quantum Reform of the Modern Metric System.” The talk, part of FRIB’s  Advanced Studies Gateway initiative, will take place 1 p.m. on Sunday, 5 May, via Zoom. Those interested in attending the free public event can register  online .

Phillips’ presentation will discuss reforms being made to the metric system based on quantum concepts.

William D. Phillips received a bachelor’s degree in physics from Juniata College in 1970, and a PhD from the  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1976. After two years as a Chaim Weizmann postdoctoral fellow at MIT, he joined the  National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—then known as the National Bureau of Standards—to work on precision electrical measurements and fundamental constants. There, he initiated a new research program to cool atomic gases with laser light. He founded NIST’s Laser Cooling and Trapping Group, and later was a founding member of the  Joint Quantum Institute , a cooperative research organization of NIST and the  University of Maryland that is devoted to the study of quantum coherent phenomena. 

Phillips’ research group has been responsible for developing some of the main techniques now used for laser-cooling and cold-atom experiments in laboratories around the world. Their achievements include the first electromagnetic trapping of neutral atoms; reaching unexpectedly low laser-cooling temperatures, within a millionth of a degree of Absolute Zero; the confinement of atoms in optical lattices; and coherent atom-optical manipulation of atomic-gas Bose-Einstein condensates. Atomic fountain clocks, based on the work of this group, are now the primary standards for world timekeeping and lattice-trapped atoms are among the likely candidates for future primary frequency standards. Among the group’s current research directions are the use of ultra-cold atoms for quantum information processing and quantum simulation of important physical problems.

Phillips is a fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a Fellow and Honorary Member of OPTICA (formerly the Optical Society), a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a corresponding member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. In 1997, Phillips shared the Nobel Prize in Physics "for development of methods to cool and trap atoms with laser light."

The Advanced Studies Gateway is an initiative at FRIB that brings together researchers, innovators, creative thinkers, artists, and performers from all fields and strengthens ties between Michigan State University and the community. Activities include research workshops as well as public talks, concerts, and special events that are free and open to the public. 

For information about accessible accommodations and the Advanced Studies Gateway at FRIB and, visit  frib.msu.edu/gateway .

Michigan State University operates FRIB as a user facility for the DOE Office of Science (DOE-SC), supporting the mission of the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics. Hosting what is designed to be the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes (that is, short-lived nuclei not normally found on Earth), nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications for society, including in medicine, homeland security, and industry.