IU ranks sixth in nation for number of arts programs

Eighteen was IU’s lucky number last week.

It’s the number of fine arts degrees offered on campus, and it’s what earned IU the No. 6 spot on the list of “50 U.S. Colleges Where Art Programs Abound,” a ranking by the College Database.

“The ranking offers further evidence that IU is a place where the arts continue to thrive and grow,” said Ryan Piurek, director of news and media communications at IU.
 
He said the University’s strong arts involvement not only benefits students, but  helps the community flourish.

“Studies have shown that a strong arts community such as ours plays an essential role in a state’s economic and cultural well-being,” Piurek said.

What makes an arts community a good one?

“Strong degree programs, esteemed faculty, talented students, and a wealth of cultural resources to support our faculty and students,” Piurek said.

Although IU offers a lengthy list of arts-related degrees from different schools, such as Arts Management from SPEA, they’re not the only ones available.

Students can construct their own arts degrees, and they’ve created several through the Individualized Major Program offered at IU.

Stage Management, Music Business, Animation and Medical Illustration are just a few of the many arts-related degrees students have crafted for themselves.

Thirty of the 79 students participating in IMP have artistic majors, according to Kristen Murphy, student services assistant at IU’s IMP office.

She said although multiple students might be working on the same IMP degree, they could each be taking very different ways to finish it.

“Since every IMP student designs their own curriculum, just because two students have chosen the same title for their majors doesn’t mean the majors are identical,” Murphy said.

Through the IMP, students can pursue degrees not offered by the college.

Erin Ritchie, an IU senior majoring in poster design, said the University could do a better job with curriculum structure.

“I feel like there’s a lot of time and money wasted in the process behind a lot of fine arts degrees here,” Ritchie said.

She said for such an esteemed ranking, she wishes she felt she had received a better education.

“The fundamental courses, like drawing, 3D and 2D, are useless,” she said. “You repeat all the lessons and material in first-level classes after you complete the fundamentals. I felt bored. I didn’t feel like I was able to stretch my creativity.”

She said although parts of the fine arts degree pursuit are not as satisfying as they could be, she’s thankful for skills she didn’t expect to learn, like welding.

“I learned a lot that I just didn’t expect to learn in a college classroom,” Ritchie said. “After finishing the first couple tedious years in the arts school, in the end I’m glad for the path I chose.”

Piurek said the new arts degree ranking will be used in future marketing to attract prospective arts students.

“One of our key selling points is the diversity of our artistic programs,” he said. “Students know they can come to IU for a first-rate education in whatever artistic field interests them.”