ICIA – Arts on campus
Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts
ICIA organises a vibrant programme of exciting performances, concerts, exhibitions and arts activities on campus for students, staff and the wider community to get involved in. We also offer a wide range of classes and workshops in theatre, music, dance and the visual arts open to all levels of ability. Sign up to one of the many lively extra-curricular activities – for a chance to stimulate your creativity, relax – or keep fit – and meet those with similar interests. Events take place on campus in the University’s ICIA Arts Theatre (seating 200), three exhibition spaces, and in art and rehearsal studios both on campus and in town.
ICIA also works closely with the Students’ Union to support the work of the many student societies. Offering practical support and advice, ICIA encourages students to get involved in the arts and media at any level.
On a national level, ICIA also offers professional development and academic research opportunities, and commissions new arts projects with an emphasis on interdisciplinary practice.
Getting involved
Each semester ICIA produces a What’s On brochure and has full events listings on its website. ICIA’s fortnightly e-bulletin keeps you up to date with news and offers.
Theatre and Dance
ICIA provides opportunities for students to take part in a variety of workshops, weekly classes and performances.
Dance classes range from jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, flamenco to street dance. ICIA works with the student theatre society to present a range of theatre workshops including performance and experimental theatre, physical theatre and improvisation alongside more traditional theatre, plays, acting and more.
ICIA presents an exciting programme of professional dance and theatre performances open to all. Recent events include one of the UK’s rising talents, award-winning choreographer, Hofesh Shechter. In Your Rooms – the latest piece by his company to be performed at ICIA – was described by The Observer as 'probably the most important new dance-work to be created in Britain since the millennium.' ICIA’s commissioning of new professional work includes the internationally renowned Henri Oguike Dance Company.
Music
ICIA, along with the Students’ Union, supports a wide range of opportunities for you to get involved in extra curricular activities alongside your academic studies:
- subsidised individual music lessons
- instrument loan scheme
- professionally led ensembles
- music groups
- one-off workshops
There are many outlets for those wishing to get involved in music groups including the Chamber Choir, Choral Society, Big Band, Orchestra, Wind Band and the roof-raising Pop Choir, all offering many performance opportunities. Visiting professional musicians have run workshops, and there is a DJ Skills course.
Some 40 rock bands use the Students’ Union music rehearsal facilities and gig regularly both on campus and in town. Professional performances have seen the likes of award-winning UK nu-wave jazz outfit Polar Bear. Recent developments include a new strand of experimental electronica nights.
Choral Scholarships at Bath Abbey
Scholarships worth up to £1,800 pa are available for Countertenor, Tenor and Bass voices to sing in Bath Abbey Choir.
Further details are available from Peter King, Director of Music, Bath Abbey:
Email | Web
Visual Arts
Activities include:
- weekly and weekend art workshops and classes
- professional exhibitions
- artists in residence
- Symposia and talks
Professional arts practitioners lead a number of weekly workshops and classes ranging from ceramics, drawing, painting, stained glass, life drawing to creative photography and digital art. ICIA organise a popular annual student photography competition in association with Photosoc.
Exhibitions by contemporary artists regularly go on show in ICIA’s three gallery spaces: Art Space 1 in the Claverton Rooms foyer; Art Space 2 in 3 West North foyer; and Art Space 3 in the University Hall Foyer. Admission is free. A particularly popular recent exhibition was Peninsular – Polly Gould’s large scale images taken on her trip to the Antarctic. Discussion and debate on the relationship between visual arts and specific academic topics also takes place at ICIA symposia and at talks with leading arts professionals.
ICIA Further Information
ICIA’s office is situated on campus, 1 East 2.1.
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5pm
Tel: 01225 386777 | Email | Web | E-bulletin