"Imagination, originality, and risk taking should not be byproducts of a university education. They should be its core."

Jonathan Berger and Bryan Wolf
Faculty Leaders of the Arts Initiative

Education in the arts and humanities is the foundation of a liberal arts education and serves three important roles. First, it prepares graduates to deal with the complexity, diversity, and ambiguity of human societies. Second, it draws out and develops personal creativity. Third, the arts bridge all cultures, providing access to the experience of people in other times and places. In the contemporary world in which Stanford graduates will lead and inspire, understanding complexity, finding creative solutions to problems, and navigating the richness of human culture are essential capabilities. To ensure our students develop these skills, we have launched the Arts Initiative.

Discover more about the Arts Initiative in action on the Stanford StoryBank.

Stanford on iTunes U offers a wide range of Stanford Challenge–related digital audio, including programs about Engaging the Arts and Creativity. Requires iTunes. More >>