Cluster focus

The Arts Institute’s Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program is made possible by the university’s Cluster Hire Initiative. This initiative allows the cross-campus Arts Institute to fund an ongoing series of extended artist residencies for the benefit of all university arts departments, programs and the public. Classes, concerts, lecture demonstrations, public presentations and K-12 visits make up the residency programs. The residencies include a one-semester credit course and curricular tie-in (rather than the more typical short-term residencies) and are interdisciplinary and interdepartmental in nature. The residencies also must include public events.

Cluster accomplishments

  • Since 1999, the cluster has hosted one or two visiting artists per year. The residencies include performances, college classes, community and K-12 presentations, and outreach activities.
  • The interdisciplinary residencies have formed partnerships throughout campus as well as with such community organizations such as the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission and the Wisconsin Arts Board.
  • Public concerts, exhibits, symposia, performances and presentations have brought exciting artistic programs to thousands of undergraduate and graduate students and community members, further enriching the lives of the institution and community.

Cluster structure

To date, 18 visiting artist residencies have been supported through a campuswide competitive call for proposals and managed through the Arts Institute. These extended residencies complement current short-term residencies, in which departments bring in visitors to perform, direct, conduct master classes and other activities to enrich their respective programs. The Arts Institute Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program complements these current practices by bringing in artists for extended periods to work with students on more ambitious projects. The program also provides course credit and strengthens programmatic ties among arts departments, faculty and staff throughout campus.

Cluster coordinator, faculty and lead dean

Cluster Coordinator

Cluster Faculty

One or two visiting artists participate in this program each year. Recent visiting artists include:

Lead Dean