Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA)

IDSVA offers a low-residency PhD in philosophy, aesthetics, and art theory to visual artists, architects, curators and creative scholars. Residency & fieldwork sites include Rome, Spannocchia Castle (Tuscany), Siena, Florence, Berlin, Venice, Paris, Athens, NYC and Colby College.

Coordinators:

Founder and President: Dr. George Smith is an internationally recognized scholar and has long been a leader and innovator in American education. In 2006 Dr. Smith founded the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts. IDSVA is the first and only school in the world to offer a PhD in philosophy for visual artists, curators and creative scholars.

Director of School/Vice President for Academic Affairs: Dr. Simonetta Moro is a visual artist and theorist, with a focus on painting, drawing and mapping practices. She has broad teaching experience, and her work has been exhibited and published internationally. Dr. Moro was born in Italy, and currently lives in New York City.