Chombo

And I think that Losemygrip is also right that Visual Studies puts more emphasis on theory than on history in an art historical sense. Oftentimes though Visual Studies is very interested in history from the standpoint of sociological impact.

Omnibuster is basically right. Visual Studies is interested in looking at basically anything you can "look at", whether its overtly or subtly influential on culture, and writing about it.

I'm looking more at Buffalo's and UCSD Visual/Media Studies, but have been curious about the Rhetoric programs too. Which other's are you considering? CMU? Any and all infos that you've gathered so far would be great to hear about. Thanks in advance.

Went up to Buffalo to meet with both the Visual Studies and Media Studies PhD programs and I have to say they really are an incredible group of people. The work and the dedication to its progress is clearly outstanding. I'm concerned about the post-apocalyptic cultural and economic landscape of Buffalo in conjunction with the weather, but despite all that there is still a strong pull for me up there. Looking forward to hearing more information from others interested in competing programs. Allbest and good luck.

In terms of hybrid practices and research, I've heard lots of good things about Goldsmiths. I've been interested in their PhD program in Cultural Studies for a while, but it seems like there's no way that's going to happen because they won't fund you unless you're a UK national (which I'm not) or hold an EU passport with UK residency for 3 years prior to starting the course. http://www.gold.ac.uk/ahrc/eligibility/

Storr pushed out the old. In with the new, so it goes. Nothing is 'clear', but some sort of new-fangled 'early-retirement' initiative basically just turned the page on all three.

ask away

This thread and its antecedents have become more or less ridiculous. If you don't like the work that's coming out of a particular program, don't apply there. Your energies are better spent trying to figure out where you do want to study rather than ranting about where you don't.

I'm still looking into MIT and their various programs. They have two PhD programs that could be of interest for people who are interested in where art practice, theory and history come together in an academic setting. The one that is more practice-based, and with a heavy slant towards new media and tech-art is housed in their Graduate School of Architecture, and is called a Doctorate in Media Arts and Sciences : http://sap.mit.edu/divisions/media_lab/programs/ MIT also offers, as you noted, a more traditional track of studies leading to a Doctorate in the History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture and Art http://architecture.mit.edu/phd-in-htc.html Are you currently already enrolled in a PhD program? --and if so where, if I might ask? Thanks

So far it seems like as far as Visual Studies programs on the East Coast go, there are: Rochester--Visual Studies, Buffalo--Media Studies (tech slant hands-on) and Visual Studies (theory, hands off), VCU--Media, Art, and Text (somewhat hands-on), and MIT--History, Theory, and Criticism of Architecture and Art. In the middle there is a program at Texas Tech, which isn't so interesting to me. On the West Coast: UC San Diego--Art History Theory and Criticism, with an Art Practice concentration option, UC Santa Cruz--Visual Studies, and UC Irvine--Visual Studies. Although I feel more drawn to this side of things, mainly just because it would be more new to me, I'm a little freaked out by how many professors are leaving the UC school system for higher pay at private institutions. Does anybody have any specific infos out there that one can't find on these schools' websites? How are these programs are regarded in the field--by Art Historians and/or by Cultural Theorists? Any and all infos will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Yes, thanks, I'm onto their program now too. Prof Katz spoke highly of them. Grant Kester, who heads up UCSD's Visual Arts department is one of their graduates.

I had a meeting today with Jonathan Katz of the University of Buffalo PhD program in Visual Studies. He was extremely helpful and informative about his own program and also the field in general. Anybody else out there looking to swap information?

Thanks for the information. Good to know that some Art History departments are warming up to practicing artists. --And I can't believe I forgot to put it into the original post, but of course there is also the PhD in Media Arts and Sciences at MIT.

I'm interested in finding out more about the emerging PhD programs out there that are trying to bridge the gaps between practice and theory in an art-making and art historical contexts. So far the programs that I've found that seem interesting include UC San Diego's PhD program in Art History, Theory and Criticism, and the University of Buffalo PhD Program in Media Study--both of which are geared for practicing artists. Then there is the PhD in Visual Studies at UC Irvine which seems more on the Art History/Theory side of things rather than practice, although several of their current PhD candidates have MFA backgrounds and are practicing artists. If anyone else out there is interested in similar programs and/or has any information about these or other programs like them I'd greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.

I'm interested in finding out more about the emerging PhD programs out there that are trying to bridge the gaps between practice and theory in an art-making and art historical contexts. So far the programs that I've found that seem quite interesting include UC San Diego's PhD program in Art History, Theory and Criticism, and the University of Buffalo PhD Program in Media Study--both of which are geared for practicing artists. Then there is the PhD in Visual Studies at UC Irvine which seems more on the Art History/Theory side of things rather than practice, although several of their current PhD candidates have MFA backgrounds and are practicing artists. If anyone else out there is interested in similar programs and/or has any information about these or other programs like them I'd greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.