A Hybrid STEAM approach from the MA Art and Science at Central Saint Martins

The MA Arts and Science (MAAS) is a two-year Master’s programme, founded in 2011, recruiting students from different disciplinary backgrounds across the arts, sciences and humanities. The course builds a STEAM community utilising a shared studio space as a resource and setting for collaboration and cooperation. The philosophy of the course brings together different knowledges and aims to create a non-hierarchical platform for students, disciplines and methods.

The first year focuses on interdisciplinary practice and theory through a process of unlearning as well as learning. Ingrained disciplinary habits are questioned and exploratory creativity encouraged by including elements of randomness, quick working and embracing risk and failure. For example, the Objective Drawing Device presents students with an impossible task, to construct a device which eliminates subjectivity from their drawing as they respond to a life model. The short time given to construct their device encourages spontaneity, inventiveness and testing of ideas in collaboration with their small group of peers.

In the second year, interdisciplinary methods and knowledges are extended through each student’s research projects supported by self-reflection and collaborative opportunities. Work is shared and communicated with wider communities and public audiences via exhibitions and through work with external partners and professionals.