Academics

The Art, Culture, and Technology (ACT) program at MIT facilitates artist-thinkers’ exploration of art’s broad, complex, global history and conjunction with culture, science, technology, and design via rigorous critical artistic practice and practice-driven theory. ACT emphasizes experimentation and transdisciplinary approaches to studio production in both traditional and new media. Students are encouraged to consider both the physical and the cultural context of their artworks/projects as central to their interpretation. Presentations on contemporary art as well as discussions in theory and criticism, and an understanding of research-based artistic practice complement studio production and the development of projects.

ACT courses have a strong focus on:
  • Individual and collaborative forms and media including cinema, video, sound, performance, photography, experimental media and new genres, conceptual, sculptural, and spatial experiments, writings and publications.
  • Critical thinking, knowledge mining, and creative engagement, along with explorations of changing public and private spheres, are of particular relevance.
  • Extracurricular activities include a cross-disciplinary lecture series, field trips, workshops, studio visits, and public presentations.

Courses are taught by renowned practicing artists working in an international arena. The program offers a variety of advanced and introductory courses to the MIT graduate students and undergraduates, as well as courses tailored to undergraduates majoring in architecture. The Art, Culture, and Technology program at MIT offers an undergraduate minor and concentration, plus a highly selective two-year graduate program, leading to a Master of Science in Art, Culture and Technology (SMACT) degree.

ACT is part of the Department of Architecture, within the School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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