FAA
Wanna get ahead this summer? Take a Gen Ed course in the arts!
We`ve got topics like intro to art, contemporary dance, and theatre arts, as well as urban sustainability and the history of rock music 🎶🎸
Check out more course info ➡️ link in bio!
Wanna get ahead this summer? Take a Gen Ed course in the arts!
We`ve got topics like intro to art, contemporary dance, and theatre arts, as well as urban sustainability and the history of rock music 🎶🎸
Check out more course info ➡️ link in bio!
🎉 Huge congratulations to Professor Akima Brackeen from the Illinois School of Architecture, recipient of the 2025–26 Lily Auchincloss Rome Prize in Architecture! 🏛️
Awarded by the American Academy in Rome, this prestigious fellowship supports visionary artists and scholars through an immersive residency in the heart of Rome. Professor Brackeen is one of 35 recipients selected from nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide.
This fall, she will join an interdisciplinary community on the Academy’s campus in Rome to continue her transformative work in architecture. @amacademyrome
Congrats, Professor Brackeen! @helloakima @archatillinois
Read more with the link in bio 🔗
#RomePrize #AmericanAcademyInRome #IllinoisArchitecture #WeDesign
🎉 Huge congratulations to Professor Akima Brackeen from the Illinois School of Architecture, recipient of the 2025–26 Lily Auchincloss Rome Prize in Architecture! 🏛️
Awarded by the American Academy in Rome, this prestigious fellowship supports visionary artists and scholars through an immersive residency in the heart of Rome. Professor Brackeen is one of 35 recipients selected from nearly 1,000 applicants worldwide.
This fall, she will join an interdisciplinary community on the Academy’s campus in Rome to continue her transformative work in architecture. @amacademyrome
Congrats, Professor Brackeen! @helloakima @archatillinois
Read more with the link in bio 🔗
#RomePrize #AmericanAcademyInRome #IllinoisArchitecture #WeDesign
🎭“Let yourself be the beginner again.” — Gianna Casanova, Lyric Theatre major
Why Gianna chose @lyrictheatreillinois?
✔️ Classical and contemporary training
✔️ Opportunities to perform in operas and musicals
✔️ A tight-knit, supportive cohort and faculty
✔️ World-class practice and performance spaces
Her days are packed with rehearsals, dance classes, studio sessions, and learning from peers and professors who truly care.
Advice to future majors: Come ready to learn, be curious, and soak it all in 🧡
@illinoismusic @krannertcenter
Video by @ad1tik
🎭“Let yourself be the beginner again.” — Gianna Casanova, Lyric Theatre major
Why Gianna chose @lyrictheatreillinois?
✔️ Classical and contemporary training
✔️ Opportunities to perform in operas and musicals
✔️ A tight-knit, supportive cohort and faculty
✔️ World-class practice and performance spaces
Her days are packed with rehearsals, dance classes, studio sessions, and learning from peers and professors who truly care.
Advice to future majors: Come ready to learn, be curious, and soak it all in 🧡
@illinoismusic @krannertcenter
Video by @ad1tik
Today is the last day of our I ❤️ the Arts student philanthropy month of giving. Join us INSIDE the Architecture Building from 11am-1pm for food and FAA swag to celebrate the close of our initiative. Together, we can make a difference and help support a student in need. Show your love for the arts now by making a gift at go.illinois.edu/heart-the-arts!
Today is the last day of our I ❤️ the Arts student philanthropy month of giving. Join us INSIDE the Architecture Building from 11am-1pm for food and FAA swag to celebrate the close of our initiative. Together, we can make a difference and help support a student in need. Show your love for the arts now by making a gift at go.illinois.edu/heart-the-arts!
Happy International Dance Day 🎉
Today we honor the universal language of movement alongside @danceatillinois.
On International Dance Day, we celebrate the power of dance to connect cultures, express emotion, and inspire change.
To our dancers, teachers, alumni, and friends:
Thank you for making our community vibrant, creative, and fearless. Today, we celebrate YOU!
#InternationalDanceDay #danceunitesus
Photo by Natalie Fiol
From "Khazan (Autumn)" by Banafsheh Amiri
Happy International Dance Day 🎉
Today we honor the universal language of movement alongside @danceatillinois.
On International Dance Day, we celebrate the power of dance to connect cultures, express emotion, and inspire change.
To our dancers, teachers, alumni, and friends:
Thank you for making our community vibrant, creative, and fearless. Today, we celebrate YOU!
#InternationalDanceDay #danceunitesus
Photo by Natalie Fiol
From "Khazan (Autumn)" by Banafsheh Amiri
🌿 New research led by landscape architecture professors William Sullivan and Bin Jiang reveals a powerful connection between green spaces and public safety. Their study—the first of its kind—shows that communities with more greenery experience significantly fewer fatal police shootings, especially in areas facing social and economic challenges. Read how thoughtful landscape design can shape safer, healthier neighborhoods.
@illinoislandarch
Learn more at the🔗 link in bio!
#LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanGreening #PublicSafety #CommunityDesign
🌿 New research led by landscape architecture professors William Sullivan and Bin Jiang reveals a powerful connection between green spaces and public safety. Their study—the first of its kind—shows that communities with more greenery experience significantly fewer fatal police shootings, especially in areas facing social and economic challenges. Read how thoughtful landscape design can shape safer, healthier neighborhoods.
@illinoislandarch
Learn more at the🔗 link in bio!
#LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanGreening #PublicSafety #CommunityDesign
Dance at Illinois alumna Leslie Cuyjet (BFA ’03) has been selected as a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow as part of the Foundation`s 100th year anniversary. This competitive honor was only presented to 198 exceptional individuals across 53 disciplines—selected from nearly 3,500 applicants.
Cuyjet, who is based out of Brooklyn, NY, has been choreographing and dancing in New York since 2004, collaborating and performing with other creators “on rooftops, good and bad floors, and alleyways; on stage, in film, art, on tour, and on the fly.” She is also the recipient of two Bessie Awards for her work, a top honor in the world of dance.
The Fellowship provides support for recipients to pursue independent work under what the Foundation calls “the freest possible conditions.” It empowers choreographers to explore bold ideas, push creative boundaries, and make meaningful contributions to the field of dance—something Cuyjet has been doing already for over a decade —without commercial or institutional constraints.
A huge congratulations to Leslie! We can`t wait to see what comes of this remarkable opportunity!
Read more in the link in bio! @danceatillinois @guggfellows
Dance at Illinois alumna Leslie Cuyjet (BFA ’03) has been selected as a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow as part of the Foundation`s 100th year anniversary. This competitive honor was only presented to 198 exceptional individuals across 53 disciplines—selected from nearly 3,500 applicants.
Cuyjet, who is based out of Brooklyn, NY, has been choreographing and dancing in New York since 2004, collaborating and performing with other creators “on rooftops, good and bad floors, and alleyways; on stage, in film, art, on tour, and on the fly.” She is also the recipient of two Bessie Awards for her work, a top honor in the world of dance.
The Fellowship provides support for recipients to pursue independent work under what the Foundation calls “the freest possible conditions.” It empowers choreographers to explore bold ideas, push creative boundaries, and make meaningful contributions to the field of dance—something Cuyjet has been doing already for over a decade —without commercial or institutional constraints.
A huge congratulations to Leslie! We can`t wait to see what comes of this remarkable opportunity!
Read more in the link in bio! @danceatillinois @guggfellows
Are you the recipient of a financial need-based scholarship? Over a third of Illinois students are here because they were provided with some form of need-based aid. Your gift can help make the difference between a student attending FAA at Illinois or having to decline enrollment due to financial constraints. Every gift counts. Will you make a gift today? go.illinois.edu/heart-the-arts
Are you the recipient of a financial need-based scholarship? Over a third of Illinois students are here because they were provided with some form of need-based aid. Your gift can help make the difference between a student attending FAA at Illinois or having to decline enrollment due to financial constraints. Every gift counts. Will you make a gift today? go.illinois.edu/heart-the-arts
BSSD
BSSD Seniors! We invite you to share your post-graduation plans by completing the Illini Success Survey! Your participation plays a vital role in shaping the university’s future.
Entries qualify grads for multiple drawings to win an Amazon gift card or other prizes!
Not a BSSD grad, no problem! The survey is open to all graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs at Illinois.
BSSD Seniors! We invite you to share your post-graduation plans by completing the Illini Success Survey! Your participation plays a vital role in shaping the university’s future.
Entries qualify grads for multiple drawings to win an Amazon gift card or other prizes!
Not a BSSD grad, no problem! The survey is open to all graduates of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs at Illinois.
All are invited to attend our seniors` Capstone Exhibition opening! Join us for a reception in the Murphy Gallery at the University YMCA on May 7th from 5-7:00, with opening remarks beginning at 6:00. Mingle and enjoy some snacks while learning about student projects! We especially encourage first-years, sophomores, and juniors to attend. Bring a friend!
Since last fall, the BSSD seniors have been working diligently to design their capstone projects as part of their FAA 430 and FAA 431 classes. While these projects span across many topics and disciplines, they share a goal of addressing a problem in sustainability, and act as a representation of all they`ve learned during their time in the major. Please show them your support!
All are invited to attend our seniors` Capstone Exhibition opening! Join us for a reception in the Murphy Gallery at the University YMCA on May 7th from 5-7:00, with opening remarks beginning at 6:00. Mingle and enjoy some snacks while learning about student projects! We especially encourage first-years, sophomores, and juniors to attend. Bring a friend!
Since last fall, the BSSD seniors have been working diligently to design their capstone projects as part of their FAA 430 and FAA 431 classes. While these projects span across many topics and disciplines, they share a goal of addressing a problem in sustainability, and act as a representation of all they`ve learned during their time in the major. Please show them your support!
As the end of the semester approaches, we encourage you to enjoy your time on campus to the fullest! For graduating seniors especially, these are moments you won`t want to miss! Read on for more details.
5/6: FAA Senior Celebration
Seniors! Celebrate your accomplishments with other graduates from the college of Fine and Applied Arts TONIGHT from 6-8:00 at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center!
5/7: BSSD Capstone Exhibition
Celebrate with BSSD students as they showcase their final projects from their capstone course. Bring a friend and learn more about the varied interests of Sustainable Designers and hear from students passionate about change. All are welcome - we particularly encourage first-years, sophomores, and juniors to attend!
5/8 and 5/13: BSSD Lending Library of Art Materials
Do you have extra art material from a course that you no longer need? Drop by the BSSD office and donate it to the BSSD Program to support future Sustainable Designers! Donated material will be available for future students to support access to physical materials required for coursework. Dropoff times are Thursday, May 8th, from 10-11:00 AM, and Tuesday, May 13th, from 12-1:00 PM. Email Ashley Smart at acsmart@illinois.edu if you have material to drop off but can`t make it during these times.
5/9: Final Exams Begin
Final exams will take place from May 9-15. Take care of yourself and finish the semester off strong!
5/16: BSSD Senior Luncheon
Are you a graduating senior? We want to celebrate you! Join us in Latzer Hall at the University YMCA from 12-3:00 PM for an afternoon of fun and reminiscing, with lunch provided by Y-Thai!
5/18: Sustainable Design Convocation
A hearty congratulations to our graduating seniors! The Sustainable Design Convocation will be held on May 18th at the Siebel Center for Design at 11:30 AM.
As the end of the semester approaches, we encourage you to enjoy your time on campus to the fullest! For graduating seniors especially, these are moments you won`t want to miss! Read on for more details.
5/6: FAA Senior Celebration
Seniors! Celebrate your accomplishments with other graduates from the college of Fine and Applied Arts TONIGHT from 6-8:00 at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center!
5/7: BSSD Capstone Exhibition
Celebrate with BSSD students as they showcase their final projects from their capstone course. Bring a friend and learn more about the varied interests of Sustainable Designers and hear from students passionate about change. All are welcome - we particularly encourage first-years, sophomores, and juniors to attend!
5/8 and 5/13: BSSD Lending Library of Art Materials
Do you have extra art material from a course that you no longer need? Drop by the BSSD office and donate it to the BSSD Program to support future Sustainable Designers! Donated material will be available for future students to support access to physical materials required for coursework. Dropoff times are Thursday, May 8th, from 10-11:00 AM, and Tuesday, May 13th, from 12-1:00 PM. Email Ashley Smart at acsmart@illinois.edu if you have material to drop off but can`t make it during these times.
5/9: Final Exams Begin
Final exams will take place from May 9-15. Take care of yourself and finish the semester off strong!
5/16: BSSD Senior Luncheon
Are you a graduating senior? We want to celebrate you! Join us in Latzer Hall at the University YMCA from 12-3:00 PM for an afternoon of fun and reminiscing, with lunch provided by Y-Thai!
5/18: Sustainable Design Convocation
A hearty congratulations to our graduating seniors! The Sustainable Design Convocation will be held on May 18th at the Siebel Center for Design at 11:30 AM.
What is it like to study Sustainable Design at Illinois? Find out from junior Cheyanne Pauley as she shares her experiences, and how her time in the major has impacted her interest in brownfield restoration. To watch Cheyanne`s full interview, visit the Fine and Applied Arts YouTube channel.
go.illinois.edu/BSSDStudentExperience
What is it like to study Sustainable Design at Illinois? Find out from junior Cheyanne Pauley as she shares her experiences, and how her time in the major has impacted her interest in brownfield restoration. To watch Cheyanne`s full interview, visit the Fine and Applied Arts YouTube channel.
go.illinois.edu/BSSDStudentExperience
Are you a student passionate about sustainability? 🌎🌳 Consider joining Epsilon Eta Epsilon or TrEEE, a new professional fraternity dedicated to sustainability, to meet fellow Illinois students with a desire to preserve the world around us! TrEEE serves to provide a network of mentors in sustainability careers and to foster a culture of sustainability leadership on campus. ✨
Please follow @treee_uiuc to stay updated on future events. Be on the lookout for their first general meeting on reading day over on their Instagram account. It will be a potluck picnic! 👀 We hope to see you all there! 🧺
If you have any questions, email Jasmine He or James Chustak.
Are you a student passionate about sustainability? 🌎🌳 Consider joining Epsilon Eta Epsilon or TrEEE, a new professional fraternity dedicated to sustainability, to meet fellow Illinois students with a desire to preserve the world around us! TrEEE serves to provide a network of mentors in sustainability careers and to foster a culture of sustainability leadership on campus. ✨
Please follow @treee_uiuc to stay updated on future events. Be on the lookout for their first general meeting on reading day over on their Instagram account. It will be a potluck picnic! 👀 We hope to see you all there! 🧺
If you have any questions, email Jasmine He or James Chustak.
Today we are featuring the Director of the Sustainable Design program Karin Hodgin Jones! Karin is Teaching Assistant Professor in the School of Art and Design, and she is core faculty in the Sustainable Design program. Read on to hear about Karin’s work with Sustainable Design.
What class(es) do you teach in the Sustainable Design curriculum?
I teach the foundational course in the Sustainable Design program, FAA 230 Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, and co-teach FAA 310 Professional Practice. I have also taught the object-scale module of FAA 330 Making Sustainable Design Studio. I enjoy working with Sustainable Design students in FAA 491 Special Topics courses, including the short-term study abroad class to Finland and on independent sustainability-focused research.
Can you tell us a bit about this class?
FAA 230 is a seminar that introduces students to the historical, contemporary, and emerging meanings of sustainability as understood within—and at the intersections of—design disciplines that engage object, architectural, landscape, and urban scales.
As an introduction to the major, this course challenges students to apply their creativity in conceptualizing, visualizing, analyzing, communicating, and constructing products, buildings, cities, landscapes, and communities that use energy and materials in more environmentally and socially sustainable ways. Through the study of proposed, built, and speculative examples of sustainable design, students learn to become critical thinkers and reflective practitioners, establishing a foundation for future design practice.
(Continued in the comments section!)
Today we are featuring the Director of the Sustainable Design program Karin Hodgin Jones! Karin is Teaching Assistant Professor in the School of Art and Design, and she is core faculty in the Sustainable Design program. Read on to hear about Karin’s work with Sustainable Design.
What class(es) do you teach in the Sustainable Design curriculum?
I teach the foundational course in the Sustainable Design program, FAA 230 Sustainable Design of the Built Environment, and co-teach FAA 310 Professional Practice. I have also taught the object-scale module of FAA 330 Making Sustainable Design Studio. I enjoy working with Sustainable Design students in FAA 491 Special Topics courses, including the short-term study abroad class to Finland and on independent sustainability-focused research.
Can you tell us a bit about this class?
FAA 230 is a seminar that introduces students to the historical, contemporary, and emerging meanings of sustainability as understood within—and at the intersections of—design disciplines that engage object, architectural, landscape, and urban scales.
As an introduction to the major, this course challenges students to apply their creativity in conceptualizing, visualizing, analyzing, communicating, and constructing products, buildings, cities, landscapes, and communities that use energy and materials in more environmentally and socially sustainable ways. Through the study of proposed, built, and speculative examples of sustainable design, students learn to become critical thinkers and reflective practitioners, establishing a foundation for future design practice.
(Continued in the comments section!)
Last week, students in Sustainable Design and Industrial Design showcased their wonderful projects using mycelium in ARTD 326: Sustainability & Manufacturing taught by @savio_mukachirayil at the Siebel Center for Design. Students displayed immense creativity and dedication to sustainability in their designs! ✨
A very special thank you to Professor Joseph Dahmen, who visited from the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, for sharing your work and speaking with students!
Last week, students in Sustainable Design and Industrial Design showcased their wonderful projects using mycelium in ARTD 326: Sustainability & Manufacturing taught by @savio_mukachirayil at the Siebel Center for Design. Students displayed immense creativity and dedication to sustainability in their designs! ✨
A very special thank you to Professor Joseph Dahmen, who visited from the University of British Colombia, Vancouver, for sharing your work and speaking with students!
Over spring break, two of our students from Sustainable Design went on a trip to Adjuntas, Puerto Rico for a short-term study abroad course, UP 494: Community-Based Sustainable Design In Puerto Rico.
Students worked alongside and supported the work of @casapuebloorg and local community members in collaboration to apply sustainable design principles they’ve learned. They explored the unique socio-political history and community resilience of Puerto Rico, and got their hands dirty working on a solar panel installation project!
Over spring break, two of our students from Sustainable Design went on a trip to Adjuntas, Puerto Rico for a short-term study abroad course, UP 494: Community-Based Sustainable Design In Puerto Rico.
Students worked alongside and supported the work of @casapuebloorg and local community members in collaboration to apply sustainable design principles they’ve learned. They explored the unique socio-political history and community resilience of Puerto Rico, and got their hands dirty working on a solar panel installation project!