Support the Next Generation of Artist-Philosophers
At the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA), we prepare independent artist-philosophers to be the leaders who are inventing better futures for the world we share. But brilliant minds shouldn't be turned away because of financial barriers.
Our most urgent priority: increase scholarship support for our students. This year alone, we've had to watch qualified applicants defer their studies due to financial constraints. We never want to lose a great mind because of need.
We believe that new ways of thinking are needed now more than ever, and those solutions always come from voices previously not heard. Your gift today ensures these voices can be heard.
The Impact You're Supporting
Our graduates are already changing the world by:
- Curating groundbreaking exhibitions at major museums and galleries internationally
- Publishing influential research that reshapes how we understand art and philosophy
- Teaching at leading universities, bringing new perspectives to the next generation
- Creating innovative artistic practices that challenge conventional thinking
We invite you to join us in guaranteeing that IDSVA can continue this meaningful work through our groundbreaking curriculum. Our student success stories are evidence of our ongoing contribution to the history of ideas and human consciousness.
Your support will be the foundation for the next chapter of IDSVA's evolution.
A contribution of:
$50,000 will support the annual tuition for 1 PhD student;
$150,000 will support the full course of study tuition for 1 PhD student;
$1,000,000 will endow tuition in perpetuity for future PhD students.
If you would rather send a check, please mail to:
IDSVA
63 Federal Street
Portland, ME 04101
Contact for donations: Amy Curtis, acurtis@idsva.edu, 207-879-8757
Why Your Gift Matters Right Now
Twenty years ago, George Smith founded IDSVA on a radical idea: that creative thinkers deserved a space to engage the highest level of philosophical inquiry, to challenge the dominance of Western metaphysics, and to pursue new paths of thought capable of reshaping society itself.
IDSVA became that space—and remains the only institution in the world to offer the PhD in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory.
Today, under new leadership, demand for this transformative education is growing. Applications are increasing from artists, curators, and scholars worldwide who recognize the urgent need for new ways of thinking about art, culture, and human experience. But many of these brilliant candidates cannot afford the investment in their intellectual future.
Together, we can ensure that IDSVA's transformative education remains accessible for generations to come.
Every dollar you give directly supports scholarship assistance, making it possible for the most promising artist-philosophers to pursue their studies regardless of their financial circumstances. You're not just supporting individual students—you're investing in the ideas and innovations that will shape our collective future.
Student Testimonials
In light of my experience with IDSVA, all I can say is this: “It is where one can be more than what one can become.” I know I have.
—Lexygius Sanchez Calip
“I have been on this journey as a filmmaker, as a writer, and as a cultural activist. The idea of getting a PhD is that I’m searching for my tribe. Latinas are less than 5% of all PhDs. I want to take this and make my community better. […] I am preparing to be an ancestor. I want to continue not just as the artist philosopher but the artist, philosopher, cultural activist. I feel like you have to make the world better.”
—Elisha Miranda Ramirez
“On a practical level, my teaching has expanded exponentially. I am a much better teacher now than I was when I began this process, and not just because I’ve read more books or can cite an expanded set of philosophical ideas. The deep introspection and commitment that is required to earn a PhD also prepares us to support others going through their own creative process, towards whatever their goals may be.”
—Dr. Keren Moscovitch, IDSVA PhD 2020 (Quote from IDSVA Newsletter Issue: Spring 2020)
“What drew me to this program was the fact that it felt really nimble and the fact that I would not have to disrupt my career path. I could do it simultaneously while studying.”
—Terrence Phearse, Driskell Fellow, Cohort ’21
