Interdisciplinary Fine Arts

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If you can’t decide which art to major in because you want to do them all, this is the program for you!

Interdisciplinary Fine Arts at UMM is a unique small program that allows students to work on all the fine arts, both separately in individual classes and in combined seminars and projects. Students specialize and generalize at the same time. They work with other students and faculty, collaborating on works of art from theater performances to multimedia installations.

Minors in the areas of Art, Creative Writing, Music, and Theatre are available for all students. Experience in artistic expression complements any field of study. See the full list of UMM minors for the details.

The program’s strands include:

  • Music: Theory, History, Instrumental, Composition and Songwriting, Improvisation and Listening
  • Theater: Acting, Directing, Stage Managing, Lighting, Sound, Set Design
  • Creative Writing: Poetry and Fiction
  • Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Ceramics, Graphic Design
  • Book Arts: Papermaking, Book Design and Construction

Careers in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts

Music Student Students

Artists don’t just paint paintings, play in orchestras and rock bands, act in movies or write novels, they also work in business, communications, education, and journalism. Artists’ creativity, flexibility, and skill position them to succeed in a wide variety of fields --many of which are in the fastest growing sectors of the economy. The program also successfully prepares students for graduate school. Fields the IFA degree could prepare you for:

  • Advertising
  • Communications
  • Photography
  • Publishing
  • Set Design
  • Studio Recording
  • Teaching

Why study Interdisciplinary Fine Arts at UMM?

  • The program's interdisciplinary approach provides hands-on experience in all facets of the fine arts providing flexibility and experience that pay off both creatively and in the job market.
  • You will work closely with teachers who are active artists, novelists, actors, and musicians, dedicated to their students and their art.
  • You will meet guest artists who will share their practical experience making a living as well as their artistic vision.
  • A senior project allows you to do something extraordinary in your own self-designed field of specialization.
  • The program seeks to prepare students in practical ways for lives devoted to the arts. Guiding the creation of a résumé and portfolio that will set you apart is one way it helps graduates find jobs in that competitive world.
  • The beauty and tranquility of the area is inspiring.

Faculty

Fine Arts
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Gene Nichols, associate professor of music at the University of Maine at Machias, is a former director of music and band director for the "Clyde Beatty Circus and Wild West Show" which has performed throughout the world. He also leads the Downeast Center Ring Circus Band, a 40-plus-piece circus band, as well as the UMM Ukulele Club.