The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University is the USA’s largest comprehensive design and arts school at a major research university. This gives you the opportunity to collaborate with people and access resources across a wide range of disciplines.
It’s a remarkable place to study and immerse yourself in performing and visual arts, digital media, and design-related fields, including dance, music, art, architecture, film, industrial design, digital culture, and much more.
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is made up of five different schools:
- School of Art
- School of Arts, Media and Engineering
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre
- The Design School
- The Sidney Poitier New American Film School
The Herberger Institute is also home to the ASU Art Museum, which displays contemporary art by emerging and established artists from around the world.
School of Art
Ranked in the top 15 art schools in the nation by U.S. News 2023, the ASU School of Art is a collaborative community of artists and scholars, where students are encouraged to break boundaries, take risks and grow as artists.
The school’s comprehensive selection of degrees and specialities mean that you can choose from areas of study such as animation, ceramics, fashion, photography, printmaking, drawing and painting, and much more.
And, with four art galleries on campus, you’ll have a dedicated space to showcase your work to your peers, your mentors and the wider community.
School of Arts, Media and Engineering
At the School of Arts, Media and Engineering, you and your classmates will learn how to “be socially aware, critically thinking global citizens who strive to bring about positive change in a society that will be increasingly shaped by revolutions in new technologies.”
You can study a degree in digital culture, which is a leading transdisciplinary program in digital media that spans art, design, sciences and engineering. You’ll learn how to integrate computational systems with everyday physical experiences.
You’ll also gain tangible skills in cultural media, and you’ll be taught how to understand the broader impact of technologies on culture and life.
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at ASU is widely recognized for preparing artists, scholars, visionaries and entrepreneurs to become creative leaders who transform society through their art.
The school’s nationally recognized programs feature a comprehensive range of majors and minors. There are also more than 600 concerts, events, performances, productions and recitals each year, making it the perfect place to study if you’re passionate about performing arts.
And, if you dream of becoming a singer, songwriter, producer, or entrepreneur in the entertainment world, then you might want to check out the school’s new bachelor’s degree in popular music.
You can learn how the music industry works and take advantage of the new facilities in Downtown Phoenix, which include: two recording studios, a digital audio learning lab, a green-screen video room, rehearsal rooms and a performing space!
The Design School
You belong at The Design School if you are interested in earning a degree in architecture, environmental design, industrial design, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design, or visual communication (graphic) design.
Many of the degrees available at The Design School are STEM-designated, which means you can take advantage of up to three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA after you graduate.
Studying here will give you the opportunity to make a difference to the world around you, and there is no degree to demonstrate this better than the new interdisciplinary graduate program in innovation and venture development.
In this particular program, you’ll have the opportunity to become an entrepreneur from day one, and you’ll gain the skills you need to bring your venture to life.
The Sidney Poitier New American Film School
The Sidney Poitier New American Film School at ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is dedicated to training the next generation of cinematic storytellers, digital media artists and innovators of the imagination.
You can study a bachelor’s degree in film, with a concentration in either film and media production (for directors, technicians, and production-based careers) or filmmaking practices (for screenwriters and industry professionals).
The international faculty brings decades of professional experience in film, television, new media, and documentary filmmaking. Staff at The Sidney Poitier New American Film School include feature film screenwriters, studio executives, Emmy-winning television veterans, and acclaimed documentarians, so you will be learning from the very best.
Student life at the Herberger Institute
When you study at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, you can live on campus in the Arcadia Residential Community, a thriving living and learning space for arts students.
Living on campus with so many likeminded and creative people is a great opportunity to enhance your student experience at ASU and broaden your perspective. With fantastic facilities and resources, you’ll have everything you need to feel at home and thrive in your studies.
Prepare for a creative career
At the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, you’ll receive outstanding career support to help you prepare for a creative life after graduation.
As part of the Herberger Institute, you’ll have access to:
- creative career coaching
- online tutorials and presentations
- creative career events
- interview preparation
- virtual résumé review
- on-demand resources
- mentorship platforms
- specialized job and internship postings for Herberger students
- funding opportunities to explore your creative craft
Natalia from Brazil is studying a bachelor’s degree in fashion at ASU — watch her video about her summer internship.
Join the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
If you’re interested in earning a degree from any of the 5 schools at the Herberger Institute, then you can apply now, or contact us for more information.
