ICFAR is one of eight research centres at the University of the Arts London, and the only centre specifically focused on fine art practice based research. While research at UAL is principally conducted through colleges, and doctoral students are admitted through colleges, ICFAR’s role is to work across the University, as an active hub for collaborative research and the generation of new kinds of connectivity.
ICFAR is artist centred, embracing a holistic idea of the artist as practitioner, teacher and researcher.
ICFAR networks locally, nationally and internationally to bring artists and researchers together through forums that develop practice and thinking, from closed, intimate workshops to public discussions and laboratories.
ICFAR is actively engaged in supporting doctoral students through seminars, master classes, conferences and symposia in conjunction with the Research Network University of the Arts London (RNUAL), the university wide research training programme. The Centre liaises with college research staff to provide any additional support and information for prospective and enrolled research students.
ICFAR is open to proposals and suggestions from all staff engaged in fine art practice based research. These might include proposals involving publication, archival and exhibition outcomes, connections to doctoral and post-doctoral research, symposia and international collaboration.
ICFAR can offer support and a limited amount of seed money to develop collaborative projects and can advise on the construction and writing of funding bids.
ICFAR is currently developing a number of inter-related themes and focuses, including:
• Publication and archiving as sites of artists’ enquiry
• Research into artists’ processes, practices and methods
• Post-graduate pedagogy and models of doctoral research
