What is the Intermedia/Cyberarts Program (IMCA)? A dynamic Studio Arts major concentrating on electronic art, video art and performance art.
What can students study in this program? IMCA is a program where students can study and combine multiple artistic disciplines such as video, performance art, electronic arts and sound art practices.
Why is the program called Intermedia/Cyberarts? The program was designed to permit students to develop an intermedia-interdisciplinary approach to the study of the main streams that make up the major. As just stated above, these streams are video, performance and electronic arts practices. Students have the choice to either concentrate on one of these streams, or to combine the study of two or more of these streams at the same time.
What is the difference between the Intermedia/Cyberarts program in Studio Arts and the Computation Art specialization in the Design program? There are three major differences between the two majors.
- IMCA is one of the few Fine Art majors in North America to offer a three-year course stream in performance art.
- IMCA is an intermedia-interdisciplinary program that permits students to study any of its streams as well as take other courses in the Department of Studio Arts, the Performing Arts departments (Contemporary Dance, Music and Theatre), Art History and the Computation Art specialization in Design.
- With the exception of the video art stream, the IMCA program is not a major that concentrates on the design and making of screen-based projects (such as 3D graphics and website design). It focuses on the creation of tangible objects, installation, performance and time-based works.
Do I need a special permission to take first year (200 level) IMCA courses? Students in the IMCA major or other Studio Arts programs do not need special permission to take first year IMCA courses. Students in the Film Studies, Film Production or Contemporary Dance programs do not need permission to take one of the Video 210 classes.
Do I have to study just one of the IMCA-offered art practices? No. Students may select courses in any of the IMCA streams.
Can I concentrate on just one or two of the art practices?
Yes. Students can decide to work in video and performance, for example, or simply chose one area in which they are interested from among the three streams.
Can I also take courses given in other majors in Fine Arts?
Yes. Students can select outside of the IMCA Major from courses offered in other Department of Studio Arts programs as well as the performing arts departments and the Department of Art History.
When selecting the courses that I want to take is there anyone who can advise me?
Of course. Students can contact full-time faculty teaching in the IMCA program.
I am interested in taking electronics but have no previous knowledge or background in this area. Are there courses available for someone like me?
Yes. All 200 level IMCA courses are designed for students who have little or no prior knowledge, whether they are performance artists wanting to take electronics or programmers who would like to explore performance art or video for the first time. The Intermedia/Cyberarts program encourages students to explore areas that are new to them in order to enhance their overall educational experience and broaden their artistic activities.
Can I change the direction of my studies over the course of my degree?
Yes. Students who have started pursuing video and/or electronic arts may choose to explore sound art and performance mid-stream, as long as they have the total number of credits required from the program as a whole and have the prerequisites for the courses required courses of the new stream.
