The Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) in Syracuse University's College of Visual and
Performing Arts (VPA) is seeking faculty members from around the University to
participate in a seminar on the theme of "New Relevance for Arts and Design Practices." The
seminar, which will be held monthly throughout the 2008-09 academic year, is an
interdisciplinary study of the dynamic possibilities in projecting new relevance for the arts,
design and cultural practices in academic and educational research and public arts
initiatives.
Lead by James Haywood Rolling Jr., associate professor of art education in VPA's School of
Art and Design and SU's School of Education, and Denise Heckman, associate professor of
industrial and interaction design in VPA's School of Art and Design, the IRG is a faculty-
driven, cross-college incubator for development that spotlights a new theme each year and
provides a catalyst and resources for developing creative research and/or teaching projects.
The goal of the IRG is to establish a peer environment that fosters a longstanding,
accumulative and noncompetitive social network.
IRG fellows are expected to participate in monthly meetings structured to offer meaningful
interdisciplinary feedback on the fellows' projects and develop a proposal for either a course
or a research project. For this year's theme, the IRG welcomes ideas for diverse projects that
take unexpected directions, such as a new cross-disciplinary course, an exhibition, a
performance, a collaboration, a publication or the start of an extended project. An initial
project stipend of $1,000 will be made available for each IRG fellow through support from
the office of Dean Ann Clarke in VPA.
Faculty members interested in participating must write a letter of interest explaining how
their research and/or teaching would benefit from participation in the IRG, no later than
Aug. 29 to Rolling at jrolling@syr.edu. For more information about the application process
and the seminar, contact Rolling. For more information about the IRG, including its activities
and public events, visit http://vpa.syr.edu/interdisciplinary.
VPA is the creative center of Syracuse University. The college is comprised of five areas: the
School of Art and Design; the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies; the
Department of Drama; the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music; and the
Department of Transmedia. Together, students, faculty and staff play a vital role in the
academic and cultural life of the University and Syracuse communities. Learn more about
the college at http://vpa.syr.edu.
