INSTITUTE FOR DOCTORAL STUDIES
IN THE VISUAL ARTS
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. In the next five years, our priority is to increase scholarship support for our students; 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 believe that those solutions always come from voices previously not heard.
We invite you to join us in our efforts to guarantee that IDSVA can advance the meaningful work it has accomplished through its groundbreaking curriculum. Our student success stories are evidence of an ongoing contribution and profound impact to the history of ideas and human consciousness.
Your support will be the foundation for the next chapter of IDSVA’s evolution.
Nearly 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, IDSVA stays true to its founding vision while reaching toward new horizons. Together, we can ensure that IDSVA's transformative education remains accessible for generations to come.
Leading American educator and psychologist Edgar (Ted) Coons has been a member of the Psychology and Neuroscience faculty at NYU for over forty years.In 2015, Professor Coons established the annually awarded IDSVA Ted Coons Dissertation Prize, and in 2016 he joined IDSVA’s Board of Trustees. In 2019, Dr. Coons made a one million dollar gift to IDSVA and thereby established the Edgar E. Coons Jr. Professorship Of New Philosophy. Dr. George Smith, IDSVA’s founder and President Emeritus, has been named the first holder of The Edgar E. Coons Jr. Professorship of New Philosophy.
Dr. Margot Kelley served on our Board of Trustees and has served in a variety of key roles over the course of IDSVA's institutional development, including Interim Director of the School. Dr. Robert Kelley designed and implemented our new and highly innovative digital education platform. In addition to their generous and freely given contributions of time and talent, major financial gifts from Margot and Rob Kelley go far to explain IDSVA's standing as a global leader in graduate education.
Ben and Sheila Devine are longtime Maine residents and passionate advocates for the arts. Ben Devine has served on IDSVA’s Board of Trustees, and Sheila Devine became a member of the Board in 2025, making them active participants in IDSVA’s ongoing development. Their major gifts have supported our residencies and other educational programming, and continue to support student scholarships.