About Us
The School of Art’s goal is not merely to educate, but to transform. We refine our students’ natural passions into focused pursuit, enabling them to develop professional skills and create meaningful work. Students have a unique opportunity to engage with faculty and peers of cross-disciplinary expertise who encourage students to think beyond the boundaries of what they previously knew. Visit the Why us? section to find out more.
- Purpose & Impact
- Our People
- Our Work
- Our Location
- Equity Message
- Learn More
- Land Acknowledgment
Purpose and Impact
Mission Statement
The School of Art fosters art as integral to human experience and as a catalyst for innovation, expression, critical inquiry and the cultivation of a just society.
Our R1 research initiatives and immersive studio practice experiences provide students and faculty with opportunities to engage deeply with creative processes, bridging theory and practice in transformative ways. Through education, research, studio practice, and community engagement, we empower individuals to explore their creative potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Vision Statement
The School of Art envisions a future where the arts thrive as an integral component within the framework of our R1, land-grant institution.
R1 Comprehensive: We are dedicated to advancing new knowledge through practice-related and place-based research, creative practice, and critical theories. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we integrate the arts with other fields, generating new knowledge that benefits both our disciplines and society at large.
Land Grant Commitment: As a land-grant institution, we recognize the capacity of the arts to address societal inequities and amplify diverse voices. We are committed to expanding access to our programs, particularly for historically underserved communities, including Hispanic and Indigenous populations, as well as other groups facing systemic inequities. Using the arts as a medium for empowerment, dialogue, and community-building, we strive to create spaces for meaningful engagement and transformative experiences.
By embodying these commitments, the School of Art strives to be a hub of creativity, inclusivity, and excellence, enriching the world through the arts in all its forms.
Our Work
There is no better way to get a glimpse into what we are about than to see the work with which we are engaged.
Learn MoreOur Location
Whether it’s the towering mountain vistas, the otherworldly desert landscapes, or the vibrant arts scene, Tucson is sure to fill you with inspiration. Often referred to as a “small town within a city,” Tucson possesses a supportive community that expresses the values of sustainability and diversity, both of culture and thought. As a result, the city is host to a number of innovative projects in a variety of disciplines that seek to tackle some of our most pressing problems. The University of Arizona plays an outsize role in engaging the community to create a more equitable future for everyone.
Explore Tucson
Equity Message
The School of Art actively works to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. This includes curricula that speak to all the populations we serve, a set of support structures based on the concept of equity over equality, and the active creation of space for marginalized populations. We are also participants in the larger ecosystem supported by our division’s Equity in the Arts Program, a groundbreaking initiative charting the role of the arts as a leader in supporting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access in higher education.
Arizona Arts EDI Mission
Arizona Arts fosters inclusive communities, equitable experiences, and diverse perspectives as cornerstones of creativity, artistic expression, and cultural production.
Arizona Arts EDI Vision
- Transforming our curricula and cultivating inclusive learning experiences inside and outside the classroom;
- Promoting diverse programming that represents the work of artists and content that are reflective of a wide variety of perspectives, identities, and aesthetic repertoires;
- Connecting with local, national, and international communities; and
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Promoting racial and social justice in the arts sector.
