The Interdisciplinary Arts major (IAM) at the Idyllwild Arts Academy is designed to expose students to a wide variety of experiences and training in all areas of the arts – writing, dance, film, music, theatre, and visual art.  Students’ schedules are tailored to their individual interests, encompassing intensive training in at least two areas of the arts. Students enrolled in the IAM program also study the relationships among various art forms, as well as new traditions and movements in the arts.  This exploration includes the cultural, social, political, and philosophical connections to and between the arts.  All students have inculcated into their curriculum an emphasis on critical thinking and evaluative skills.  The goal is the cultivation of a community of thoughtful, creative and aware artists who are sensitive, versatile, accomplished and articulate. Candidates for admission to the IAM, in addition to submitting two additional essays with the admission application, must audition or submit a portfolio.  Portfolio submissions may include representative samples of written work—poetry, fiction and/or non-fiction; representative samples or slides of visual art of any kind; and/or representative samples of musical composition.  Auditions, which may be scheduled at the time of interview or submitted on audio or video media, may include dance, acting and/or musical performances.  Applicants are evaluated on overall academic achievement as well as their portfolios and/or auditions.

Interdisciplinary Arts majors have schedules written specifically for them in their areas of interest by the department chair.  Students must enroll in all required courses designed specifically for the major, including at least one IAM workshop each semester.  In addition, students generally enroll in classes offered by other disciplines each year that they are in the program. They are not to take more than sixteen hours per week of art classes without approval of the department chair and the Dean of the Arts.  Students may not take less than twelve hours per week of art classes. During their time in the program, all Interdisciplinary Arts students must take two semesters of Creative Writing.  In addition, each student must take Critical Thought and Aesthetics classes, one semester each, in their junior and/or senior year.  All Interdisciplinary majors must complete two semesters of an arts history course before graduation.  Since some courses have prerequisites or require consent of the instructor, please see individual course descriptions for further information. Enrollment in all non-major course offerings is subject to scheduling and availability.  All students wishing to register for studio art classes must submit a portfolio to the Visual Art department.  All studio art classes require prior approval from the instructor.  All private lessons are subject to the availability of a suitable instructor and require an additional fee.