With the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Arts Engine we are now one year into a three year study of cutting edge research and curricula in which the arts are integrated with other disciplines at U.S. research universities. Through this study we are beginning to see how this transformation is manifesting across the country. Dr. Bruce M. Mackh conducts site visits at leading research universities, videotaping classes, exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, lectures, and interviews with colleagues—from provosts to assistant professors—across a wide range of disciplines who are attempting to integrate arts and design practice into their universities. In the process, Dr. Mackh is developing a wealth of knowledge and documentary evidence, which will be shared periodically with our colleagues across the country. Dr. Mackh and Dr. Kolenic post interim reports on the a2ru website annually to grow our developing Knowledge Base. As such, we are excited to announce the release of the first Mellon Interim Reports, which include: examples of these transformative research and integrative curricular efforts; the models that explicate such instances and examples; the challenges they face in the contemporary research university; how they circumvent these challenges; and emerging themes for future research. Our findings will be much richer after Rounds II and III of data collection and analysis are complete. Dr. Mackh and Dr. Kolenic will continue conducting 27 site visits in Round II of the grant, generating a trove of information that will inform all of our efforts to integrate arts practices into the universities.

Read more at http://a2ru.org/knowledgebase/mellon-round-i-interim-reports-a2ru-transdiciplinary/