Linehan Artist Scholars Program

The Arts Faculty at UMBC

UMBC is a research university with a strong commitment to teaching, mentoring, scholarship, and art-making. The arts faculty includes composers, choreographers, directors, designers, photographers, computer artists, painters, filmmakers, video artists, art historians and performers who are activley engaged in creative or analytical work. Tthese professionals guide students in programs that combine performance and theory in an interdisciplinary context.

First-Year Interdisciplinary Arts Seminar

The first-year Interdisciplinary Arts Seminar helps new artist-scholars gain an understanding of form, content and process across art disciplines. Students   are exposed to a variety of activities, exhibits, and venues to help them acquire a first-hand understanding of a wide range of art-making and theory.  Guest artists and field trips provide opportunities to explore classical and contemporary art.

Cultural Trips

Each semester scholars attend specific cultural events, ranging from museum exhibits to theatre, dance and music performances, in venues from Washington, D.C., to New York City. Whether the event includes a trip to the  Museum of Modern Art, an off-Broadway play, a dance production at the Kennedy Center or a trip to the Baltimore Opera, artist-scholars view and discuss the theoretical and practical issues of today's art world.

Performance and Exhibit Opportunities

Scholars find a wealth of opportunities to showcase their talents and creative work at UMBC. The Dance Department produces six full-length dance concerts each year; students also have opportunities to perform with the Phoenix Dance Company, the professional dance company in residence at UMBC. Music students can take part in ensembles such as the UMBC Symphony Orchestra, New Music Ensemble and African Drumming Ensemble. Theatre students have opportunities to participate in main stage, laboratory and student-directed productions.  Visual Art students exhibit their work in the UMBC Fine Arts Gallery and gain valuable professional experience through internships at area firms and companies. The Imaging Research Center, a state-of-the-art animation and computer visualization facility, offers internships for advanced students.

Future plans include salons, where students share their ongoing work-in-progress with each other.  UMBC's supportive and engaging environment provides useful feedback and gives students opportunities for further networking and understanding of each others’ disciplines.