ICIA - arts for all
Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts
ICIA organises a programme of live performances and arts
activities on campus for students, staff and the wider community
to get involved in.
ICIA offers the absolute best of what is on offer from theatre, music, writer’s events, visual arts and dance. Sign up to one of the many lively extra-curricula classes and workshops, and choose from an extensive programme of performances, exhibitions, artist residences, talks and symposia. Events take place on campus in the University’s ICIA Arts Theatre (seating 200), three exhibition spaces, and art and rehearsal studios.
ICIA works closely with the Student’s 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, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary practice.
Theatre and Dance
ICIA provides opportunities for students to take part in a
variety of:
- workshops
- weekly classes
- performances
Dance classes range from jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, urban fusion 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, and the co-commissioning of Imitating the Dog, a multi-media performance company who create gripping, offkilter worlds that test the boundaries of theatre.
Music
ICIA, along with the Students’ Union, supports a wide range of
opportunities for you to get involved in extra curricula 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 Gospel, A Cappella, Soul & Pop Choir (GASP), all offering many performance opportunities. Visiting professional musicians run occasional workshops, and there is a DJ Skills course.
Some 40 rock bands use the Student 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, and have featured Janek Schaefer, one of the UK’s most compelling sound artists.
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 available from Peter King, Director of Music, Bath
Abbey (email: music@bathabbey.org web: www.bathabbey.org).
Visual Arts
Activities include:
- weekly and weekend art workshops and classes
- professional exhibitions
- artists in residence
- symposia and talks
Practising professional artists lead a number of weekly workshops and classes, ranging from ceramics and drawing to painting and stained glass. Weekend workshops cover skills in raku and throwing on the wheel. Exhibitions by contemporary artists regularly go on show in the gallery spaces. A particularly popular recent exhibition was Deborah Robinson’s atmospheric photographs taken in molecular biology labs. These were produced by placing a pinhole camera on a lab bench for a very long exposure. Other art that made a real impact was Judith Tucker's large scale charcoal drawings evoking memories of her own family's experience of the Holocaust. Discussion and debate on the relationship between visual arts and specific academic topics also happens through symposia and talks organised by ICIA with leading arts professionals.
Holburne Museum of Art
The University has strong links with the Museum, based in the
town centre. A lively programme of exhibitions and events runs
throughout the year. The Museum’s own collection includes
work by Turner, Stubbs and Gainsborough. Entry is free to staff
and students of the University.
Getting involved
ICIA welcomes people of all abilities who wish to be involved in
the arts, from individuals looking to develop specific skills and
take part to those looking for relaxation, a balance to the
demands of academic life or simply some enjoyment and fun!
Each semester ICIA produces a What’s On brochure and has full
events listings on its website.
ICIA Further Information
ICIA’s office is situated on campus.
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5pm.
Tel: 01225 386777
Email: ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk
Web: www.bath.ac.uk/icia