Artists and Scholars in Public Life

Learn More

photo of Slangston Hughes by Jaclin Paul

We are artists, humanists, & designers who are tapping the bold power of the cultural disciplines to animate an emerging movement & create transformation within higher education & society.

“Imagining America creates spaces where hearts and spirits meet minds for deep, impactful, and sustained knowledge­making and healing.” ­
~Former IA Director Timothy K. Eatman

"I love that IA is content neither to do without imagining nor to imagine without doing."
~Former IA Director/Public Co-Founder Jan Cohen-Cruz

How are you an agent of change in your community?

What's Happening Now
More Stories
Social Movement Moments
More Stories

Imagining America is a thriving consortium of colleges, universities, and cultural organizations. Our members strengthen the public roles of arts, humanities, and design fields through research and action initiatives, coalition building, and leadership development.

Signature Stories

When IA was created at a 1999 White House Conference, there was recognition of a movement growing among artists, humanists, designers, and other scholars in the cultural disciplines who passionately wanted to claim engagement at the core of their professional identities.

The Story of IA

Graduate and undergraduate students from Imagining America member institutions are fostering a vibrant network with meaningful opportunities for students to convene, share their work, and re-think the possibilities of higher education.

Student Stories

We are excited to announce that the 2019 Imagining America Gathering, IA’s 20th Anniversary Gathering, will take place on Friday through Sunday, October 19 – 20, 2019 in Albuquerque, New Mexico!

October 18 – 20, 2019
Albuquerque, Mew Mexico
In partnership with University of New Mexico

Learn More