The Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA) is now welcoming applications from individuals holding a BA or BFA for its PhD program in Art Theory, Aesthetics, and Philosophy. This program involves three years of coursework followed by the completion of a dissertation.
Designed as a research-focused, low-residency course, it caters to artists and innovators eager to expand the boundaries of art, culture, and human experience. IDSVA’s innovative curriculum integrates interactive online learning with intensive residencies, enabling art professionals to engage in high-level scholarship without needing to pause their careers or artistic endeavors.
Operating as a nomadic institution, IDSVA lacks a traditional campus and boasts a global network of students. Education is delivered through online seminars paired with residencies in locations such as Rome, Spannocchia Castle in Tuscany, Siena, Venice, Berlin, Athens, Madrid, Marrakech, Mexico City, and New York City.
Dr. Jason Hoelscher, who joined Georgia Southern University in 2015 and achieved tenure in 2020, attributes his career progression to IDSVA’s influence. A 2019 alumnus, Dr. Hoelscher is the author of ‘Art as Information Ecology: Artworks, Artworlds, and Complex Systems Aesthetics’ and was recently promoted to Full Professor.
Though IDSVA is based in the United States, international students are encouraged to apply. They can pursue their studies from their home country, with IDSVA providing F-1 visas for a brief residency in the U.S. Applications for May 2026 are open on a rolling basis, with the deadline for September 2026 enrollment set for April 13. For more information, contact Dr. Jeanne Moore, Director of Admissions, or visit idsva.edu.
