UNT | University of North Texas
Did You Know...
Printmaking graduate student Preston Bradley was awarded 2nd Place at the 2014 500x Annual Exhibit in Dallas, Texas

Interdisciplinary Art & Design Studies

We live in a world of images and the impact of the visual on art and society grows greater every day. Websites, magazines, films, television and public art surround us. What impulses drive us to make and desire these images? How do we understand them? What do they do? How do they make meaning in a diverse world?

The B.A. in Interdisciplinary Art and Design Studies is a genuinely interdisciplinary study of art and design with coursework in such diverse fields as Anthropology, Film, Communications, Art History, and Sociology. The beauty of the IADS degree is its flexibility. You chart your course within the degree to explore aspects of art and design that interest you.

The program is divided among three tracks. Two of these are geared to specific areas of interest: Design Management prepares students to work with design firms as project managers while Arts Management provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to work within arts organizations including galleries and museums. The Open Track provides maximum flexibility for students seeking to chart their own course for careers in design, studio art, art law, art history, or other fields.

What Can I Do with the Degree?

IADS is particularly useful for students wanting to enter an art- or design-related career. Some of these careers include art law, non-profit arts organization director, digital image management, gallery owner, instructional designer, visual merchandising, and auction houses operations and sales. Combining the IADS degree with a strategically chosen minor and an internship will go far toward preparing for one of these careers.

Our alumni have found exciting ways to put their IADS degrees to work. Several work in galleries and design firms, some have gone on to graduate school and one IADS alumna designs t-shirts worn by rock stars!

More Information

For more information on each track, follow the links on the left side of the screen.

Follow IADS on Facebook for internship and job opportunities!

Contact Dr. Kelly Donahue-Wallace, IADS Program Coordinator, or the Department of Art Education and Art History at aeah@unt.edu for questions about:

Contact Cynthia Mohr, Design Department Chair, or the Department of Design at design@unt.edu for questions about:

Student accomplishments

Hannah Wilson presented at the Texas Medieval Association annual conference

Art History and Honors College student Hannah Wilson (on the right) along with Honors students Blithe Parsons and Erica Cole presented at the Texas Medieval Association annual conference, which took place on the campus of UNT.

Art Education and Art History
Art History

Art History and Honors College student Hannah Wilson (on the right) along with Honors students Blithe Parsons and Erica Cole presented at the Texas Medieval Association annual conference, which took place on the campus of UNT.

Alumni accomplishments

Bevin Butler presented at Texas Medieval Association annual conference

Bevin Butler, Art History BA and MA alumna, presented at the Texas Medieval Association annual conference, which took place on the campus of UNT. She is pictured here with current Art History MA student LauraLee Brott.

Art Education and Art History
Art History

Bevin Butler, Art History BA and MA alumna, presented at the Texas Medieval Association annual conference, which took place on the campus of UNT. She is pictured here with current Art History MA student LauraLee Brott.