The Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Program
Some Frequently Asked Questions about the Program and the Curriculum
What Is IFA?
The Interdisciplinary Fine Arts Program at UMM is different from other programs in Fine Arts; while in
other programs in Fine Arts students study a single discipline (art or music or theatre or creative writing),
UMM’s IFA students study all of these in relationship to one another. Yes, students concentrate in a single
discipline, but they have the opportunity (and usually the inclination) to cross the boundaries of that
discipline. They also tend to have a more rounded experience in the arts.
What Options Are There?
At present, students may choose from four concentrations: Visual Art, Music, Theatre, and Creative
Writing. They will also have the opportunities to design their own concentration and prepare for a career in
secondary education. Soon students may also have the opportunities for concentrations in Book Arts, Arts
Management, or concentrations that they can design with their advisor.
How Is The Program Structured?
The IFA Program has been designed so that students will progress through the curriculum with several
objectives in mind. The list of four objectives below is not really a sequence from the first year through the
fourth, though students typically take the Discovery courses first and finish with the Senior Project. We
refer to these objectives in these terms:
 Discovery and Experience – students gain skills in and appreciation for the IFA disciplines
 Integration and Involvement – students engage in interdisciplinary projects and become a part of
ongoing UMM arts programming
 Application and Proficiency – students take coursework in their chosen concentration, all leading
to their Senior Project
 Individual Achievement – student success is assured through careful advising, a series of portfolio
assessments, and the Senior Project.
What Can Students Expect?
As students progress through the program, they will likely notice that their various courses and experiences
have certain things in common. The program is designed with several specific objectives in mind:
 Students will develop, explore, and sharpen the craft and skills necessary to achieve proficiency as
working artists and performers.
 Students will explore, develop, and refine an appreciation of the inter-relationships among the arts.
 Students will become aware of their own and others’ creative processes, present and past.
 Students will, through hands-on learning and modeling by faculty mentors, become effective
communicators as well as active, independent, and lifelong learners who value collaboration,
diversity, tradition and change, and who demonstrate stewardship for culture and community.
 Students will develop liberal arts skills: communication, problem solving, technology, and
creative and critical thinking.
What Should a Student Do with the Elective Credits?
Electives are opportunities for students to experience different subjects that they would not normally
attempt. If students wish to do so, they can also add another major, another minor, or more courses in Fine
Arts. In this sense, electives offer students a chance to individualize their education.