The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design at Indiana University Bloomington is a top-tier institution renowned for its interdisciplinary programs in studio art, architecture, graphic design, fashion design, merchandising, and immersive media arts, offering undergraduate (BFA, BS) and graduate (MFA, MS) degrees that blend rigorous creativity with cutting-edge technology, sustainability practices, and global perspectives. Rooted in a legacy of artistic innovation since its founding in 1820, the school fosters collaboration across disciplines, preparing students for dynamic careers in art, design, and architectural fields through hands-on learning, research-driven projects, and partnerships with industry leaders.

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Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design | Indiana University Bloomington

Academic Programs & Specializations

• Studio Art: Explore painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking, and digital art with access to 24/7 studio spaces and mentorship from globally exhibited artists.
• Architecture: NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program emphasizing sustainable design, urban planning, and digital fabrication via state-of-the-art labs and partnerships with firms like SmithGroup and Perkins&Will.
• Graphic Design: Combines typography, branding, UX/UI design, and motion graphics, with internship pathways at Adobe, Pentagram, and NPR.
• Fashion Design & Merchandising: Covers wearable technology, textile innovation, and retail strategy, featuring annual runway shows and collaborations with brands like Kohler and Target.
• Immersive Media Arts: Integrates VR, AR, and interactive installation art, supported by the school’s Extended Reality (XR) Lab.

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Facilities & Resources

• Fine Arts Building: Historic 1896 structure housing ceramics kilns, printmaking presses, and a woodshop with CNC routers.
• Architecture Hall: LEED-certified facility with parametric design studios, 3D printers, and a robotics lab for large-scale fabrication.
• Grunwald Gallery of Art: Exhibition space showcasing student, faculty, and international artist work, including the annual “Year of…” thematic series.
• Textile Innovation Lab: Features digital looms, laser cutters, and sustainable material research tools.
• Virtual Reality Studio: Equipped with HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and motion-capture systems for immersive storytelling projects.

Faculty & Research Excellence

The school’s faculty includes Guggenheim Fellows, AIA award-winning architects, and designers featured in MoMA and Vogue. Research initiatives span climate-responsive architecture, AI-driven art conservation, and wearable tech for healthcare. Students collaborate on grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and NSF-funded projects like “Smart Cities: Material Futures.”

Community Engagement & Global Opportunities

• Bloomington Arts Partnerships: Public art installations for the city’s Fourth Street cultural district and IU’s Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art.
• Study Abroad: Semester programs in Florence (Italy), Berlin, and Tokyo, focusing on architectural history and global design trends.
• Career Accelerator: Internships in Chicago, Indianapolis, and NYC, plus a Design Corps program pairing students with nonprofits for pro-bono projects.

Admissions & Financial Support

Prospective students submit portfolios via Slideroom, with priority deadlines on December 1 (undergraduate) and January 15 (graduate). Merit scholarships like the Eskenazi Scholar Award (up to $15,000/year) and assistantships with stipends are available. The school also partners with the IU Arts & Humanities Council to offer need-based grants for first-gen students.

Campus Life & Student Organizations

• Student Art Association: Hosts workshops, critiques, and the annual Art + Design Week featuring guest lectures from figures like Sheila Hicks and Bjarke Ingels.
• American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS): Competes in national design charrettes and solar decathlons.
• Design for America: Tackles community challenges like affordable housing through human-centered design sprints.

For more details, visit Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

Architecture

The Architecture program at Eskenazi School blends creative design, technical innovation, and sustainable practices. Students engage in studio-based learning, digital fabrication, and community-driven projects, preparing for careers in architectural firms, urban planning, or environmental design.

• Program Structure: Offers a NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch) with a 3-year track for undergraduates and a 2-year advanced track for pre-professional degree holders.
• Key Courses: Sustainable systems, parametric modeling, architectural history, and materials science.
• Facilities: Robotics lab, 3D printing studios, and immersive VR environments for prototyping.
• Outcomes: Graduates pursue roles at firms like Gensler, SOM, or establish independent practices focused on resilient design.

Studio Art

Studio Art emphasizes hands-on exploration across diverse mediums, fostering individual artistic voice and critical thinking. Students gain access to mentorship, exhibitions, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

• Program Structure: BFA (4 years) and MFA (3 years) tracks with concentrations in ceramics, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, or digital art.
• Key Courses: Figure drawing, installation art, experimental media, and professional practices.
• Facilities: 24/7 studios, bronze-casting foundry, and analog/darkroom labs.
• Outcomes: Alumni exhibit in galleries, join artist residencies, or teach at institutions worldwide.

Graphic Design

Graphic Design merges traditional design principles with emerging technologies, focusing on branding, user experience, and social impact. Students create portfolios through client projects and internships.

• Program Structure: BS (4 years) and MFA (3 years) degrees with optional minors in motion design or interactive media.
• Key Courses: Typography, data visualization, AR/VR interfaces, and design ethics.
• Facilities: Adobe Creative Cloud labs, large-format printers, and usability testing rooms.
• Outcomes: Graduates work at agencies like IDEO, Apple, or freelance as UI/UX specialists.

Fashion Design

Fashion Design integrates craft, technology, and entrepreneurship, emphasizing sustainable practices and wearable innovation. Students showcase collections in annual runway shows and industry competitions.

• Program Structure: BFA (4 years) with pathways in apparel construction, textile arts, or fashion merchandising.
• Key Courses: Pattern drafting, smart textiles, trend forecasting, and retail analytics.
• Facilities: Industrial sewing labs, dye studios, and a textile innovation hub with digital looms.
• Outcomes: Alumni join brands like Coach, Mara Hoffman, or launch eco-conscious labels.

Immersive Media Arts

Immersive Media Arts explores VR, AR, and interactive storytelling, combining art, code, and human-centered design. Students develop installations, games, and virtual environments.

• Program Structure: Interdisciplinary BS/MS degrees (4+1 years) with courses in game design, spatial computing, and sound art.
• Key Courses: Unity/Unreal Engine development, 360-degree filmmaking, and AI-driven art.
• Facilities: XR Lab with motion-capture suits, holographic displays, and ambisonic audio systems.
• Outcomes: Graduates work in tech (Meta, Google), entertainment, or experimental media arts.

Art History, Theory, & Criticism

This program examines global art movements, curatorial practices, and cultural policy. Students analyze visual culture through research, writing, and museum internships.

• Program Structure: BA (4 years) and MA/PhD tracks with electives in museum studies or conservation.
• Key Courses: Decolonizing art history, digital archiving, and critical theory.
• Facilities: Access to the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art’s 45,000+ artifact collection.
• Outcomes: Careers in curation, arts administration, academia, or cultural heritage preservation.

Environmental Design

Environmental Design focuses on ecological stewardship, landscape architecture, and public space activism. Students tackle projects like urban greenways or climate-responsive installations.

• Program Structure: BS (4 years) with dual-degree options in sustainability or public affairs.
• Key Courses: Biophilic design, GIS mapping, community engagement, and material reuse.
• Facilities: Collaboration with IU’s Environmental Resilience Institute and fabrication workshops.
• Outcomes: Roles in environmental nonprofits, municipal planning, or regenerative design firms.

Explore all programs and admission details at Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design.

Contact Information for Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design

There are a variety of ways to connect with the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design.

Email:
soadmain@iu.edu

Phone:
812-856-SOAD (7623)

Fax:
812-856-7633

Fine Arts Building:
Fine Arts Building 132
1201 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405

Kirkwood Hall:
100 Kirkwood Hall
130 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405

Mies van der Rohe Building:
321 N. Eagleson Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405

J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program
The Republic Building
333 Second Street
Columbus, Indiana 47201

812-375-7550
soadarch@iu.edu

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/IUSchoolofArtandDesign
https://www.instagram.com/iuartanddesign
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCplwcxG427DpCVBYJw0iv5w/
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/iu-school-of-art-architecture-design