The Arts at Eugene Lang College is an innovative major comprised of five integrated programs: Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts, and Arts in Context. Students explore their intellectual interests and creative abilities within their chosen field of study through individual as well as collaborative work.
The curriculum highlights the arts within a liberal arts framework, balancing broader academic study and research with creative experimentation and hands-on practice. It also carries on The New School’s renowned commitment to social and cultural inquiry, regarding the arts as a powerful tool for awareness and change.
Lang's unique curriculum aims to bridge the gap between the various arts. While students explore their own discipline within each individual program in Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts (as well as the independently designed Arts in Context program), they are also required to take four integrative classes (including one on aesthetics) to share their common artistic and learning experiences.
Lang College’s New York location offers unparalleled opportunities for undergraduates studying the arts. The city provides a wealth of cultural resources of all kinds: theater and dance performances, opera and classical music concerts, jazz and popular music events, commercial and avant-garde cinema, world-class museums and cutting-edge art galleries, lectures and literary readings. Students can take advantage of these resources through out-and-about courses such as Arts in NYC or Lang at the Guggenheim. They also rehearse and perform at venues such as Dance Theater Workshop and La MaMa Experimental Theater. Many Arts majors are further active throughout the city as interns, gallery assistants, reviewers, DJs, and club promoters.
Arts faculty members bring to the classroom their own experience and expertise as innovative artists, musicians, actors/directors and scholars. They are regularly involved in exhibitions and performances in New York, nationally, and internationally. Faculty often collaborate with each other to create integrative courses and performances. Each year the College also invites distinguished Visiting Artists and guest presenters to work with students through master classes, workshops, and public presentations.
With its tradition of innovation in the arts from Martha Graham to John Cage, The New School today provides a variety of arts courses to Lang College students. Mannes is the university’s classical music conservatory with an Extension Division where students can take additional music courses and private lessons. The Jazz and Contemporary Music program presents numerous concerts both on campus and in the city. Parsons offers courses, exhibitions, and lectures in the visual arts, while the New School’s Drama program presents theater performances. There are numerous cross-listed courses in these divisions for Lang students each semester. There is also the five-year BA/BFA program whereby students combine a BA degree from Lang with a BFA from Parsons or the Jazz and Contemporary Music program.
After graduation many students pursue advanced study in their fields and go on to careers in professional ensembles and companies, arts foundations, or publishing firms. Backed by a strong liberal arts background, Arts graduates have enhanced their potential for rewarding careers as creative, articulate, and informed individuals.
Contact Information
Stefania deKenessey, Chair of the Arts
65 West 11th Street
New York, NY 10011
deKenesS@newschool.edu