School of Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies, Emerson College

The School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies at Emerson College is home to three academic departments: Performing Arts; Writing, Literature and Publishing; and the Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies. It is also home to the cross-departmental Comedic Arts program.

The School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies offers cutting-edge programs in acting, theatre education and applied theatre, stage design and production, musical theatre, comedy, creative writing, literature, publishing, among other exciting offerings. Through the Marlboro Institute, a well-rounded and interdisciplinary Liberal Arts program is offered to undergraduates that ranges across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Our internationally recognized faculty members give our students a sense of ownership of their education. This autonomy provides students with the confidence needed to speak with the authority of the artists, professionals, and scholars they aspire to be.

Departments in the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies

Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies

A strong liberal arts foundation enables our students to examine the world across diverse disciplines and perspectives that add depth and intellectual perspective to their studies.

Performing Arts

Theatre is more than a craft: it’s a way of connecting with others, of approaching challenges, and engaging the world. As theatre artists in Emerson’s Department of Performing Arts, our students will receive the necessary tools to focus their creative talents toward a fulfilling career—and life—in the theatre.

Writing, Literature and Publishing

In Emerson’s Department of Writing, Literature and Publishing, the integrated relationship between writing, publishing, and the study of literature becomes a shared experience of finding one’s voice, refining one’s talent, and gaining the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s evolving literary landscape.

The School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies Community

Faculty

School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies faculty members are scholars and practitioners in fields ranging from performing arts; and writing, literature and publishing to ecology, philosophy, and cultural studies. They bring a wealth of experience and insight to our curriculum.

Featured Alumni

After they leave Emerson, our alumni venture into a wide variety of fields and take on enterprises of their own, from acting on Broadway to writing award-winning poetry and championing accessible storytelling for nonprofits. They put the skills they have learned here into practice and have their hand in shaping the world through their art and communication.

Experiential Learning in the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies

Programs and Highlights

The School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies offers dynamic and inclusive learning experiences for students through our labs, centers, and production spaces.

News and Events

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Connect with Us

We encourage faculty, staff, alumni, and current students affiliated with the School of Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies to submit news of accomplishments and upcoming events.