Mission
The Arts Research Center (ARC) facilitates the intellectual and artistic engagement of faculty and students while providing opportunities to expand research across disciplines. We support the limitless creativity of the artists, designers and performers in our school as their work embodies VCU’s Strategic Research Priorities Plan in multifaceted ways. Our tangible support takes the form of advocacy, training and mentorship, building community, Research Labs, and other incentives. Through these and other programs, the Center promotes and encourages curiosity, investigation, and collaboration in an environment where unique and diverse perspectives can emerge and flourish.
Arts Research Labs
Interdisciplinary efforts towards solving complex problems are becoming more and more critical, especially for scientific discovery and translational research, and require collaborative and integrated research teams. In response to this need, Arts Research Labs consist of teams of faculty and students, and serve as a strategy to increase collaboration, research output, and external grant applications. Additionally, the Labs will seed research expertise and experience across the School, as during and following their terms Lab leaders will carry their knowledge forward and serve as resources for other faculty and students. Labs promote substantive discourse around their focus area both within the university and more broadly across related fields. Additionally, the labs support experiential student learning opportunities and cultivate meaningful relationships with local communities and beyond.
Labs for Arts and Health, Civic Action, Sustainability and Technology form the basis of this program, beginning in 2023-24, with up to two additional labs as proposed by faculty possible within the next three years.
Faculty interested in joining or proposing an Arts Research Lab should complete the interest form. Questions can be directed to artsresearch@vcu.edu.
Spring 2025 Research Labs Meeting Schedule
Arts and Sustainability
Lab Leader: Hope Ginsburg
Friday, February 28 at 12 p.m.
Friday, April 4 at 12 p.m.
Friday May 2 at 12 p.m. (with Arts and Health)
Arts and Health
Lab Leader: Sara Wilson McKay
Friday, March 28 at 12 p.m.
Friday, April 25 at 12 p.m.
Friday May 2 at 12 p.m. (with Arts and Sustainability)
