---
title: "PhD in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory"
organization: "Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA)"
category: open_call
deadline: 2026-12-07
valid_through: 2026-12-07
countries: ["US", "IT", "GR", "DE", "MX", "ES", "MA"]
disciplines: ["curatorial", "writing"]
location: "Online, with residencies in Italy, Greece, Germany, USA, Mexico, Spain, Morocco"
entry_fee: "Free"
award: "IDSVA Scholarship, Federal Student Loans, and the David Driskell Fellowship for students focused on African American studies and the African Diaspora"
eligibility: "Applicants must hold a BA or BFA degree, with preference for those with courses in art, philosophy, and related subjects. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Applicants with a master's degree (including MFA) are encouraged to apply and may transfer up to 5 credits. The David Driskell Fellowship is for students who show promise in carrying forward David Driskell's mission to encourage worldwide community and equality through art, particularly in the field of African American studies and the African Diaspora."
source_url: "https://idsva.edu/admissions/how-to-apply"
canonical: "https://opencallradar.com/open-calls/phd-in-visual-arts-philosophy-aesthetics-and-art-theory-institute-for-do-c443ba73"
status: open
last_updated: 2026-08-12T05:30:23.232959
---
# PhD in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory

**Organization**: Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA)
**Category**: open_call
**Deadline**: 2026-12-07
**Location**: Online, with residencies in Italy, Greece, Germany, USA, Mexico, Spain, Morocco
**Country code(s)**: US, IT, GR, DE, MX, ES, MA
**Discipline(s)**: curatorial, writing
**Entry fee**: Free
**Award**: IDSVA Scholarship, Federal Student Loans, and the David Driskell Fellowship for students focused on African American studies and the African Diaspora
**Eligibility**: Applicants must hold a BA or BFA degree, with preference for those with courses in art, philosophy, and related subjects. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Applicants with a master's degree (including MFA) are encouraged to apply and may transfer up to 5 credits. The David Driskell Fellowship is for students who show promise in carrying forward David Driskell's mission to encourage worldwide community and equality through art, particularly in the field of African American studies and the African Diaspora.

## Description

The IDSVA PhD in Visual Arts is a research-based, low-residency program focusing on Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory. It is designed for artists, theorists, curators, and creative thinkers interested in exploring art, culture, and human experience. The program involves three years of coursework followed by a dissertation. Students participate in international residencies in locations such as Italy, Greece, Germany, and the USA, which serve as "topological nodes" for examining the relationship between art and ideas across historical and contemporary contexts. Financial aid is available, including IDSVA Scholarships, Federal Student Loans, and the David Driskell Fellowship.

## Apply / Verify

- Official source: https://idsva.edu/admissions/how-to-apply
- OpenCall Radar listing: https://opencallradar.com/open-calls/phd-in-visual-arts-philosophy-aesthetics-and-art-theory-institute-for-do-c443ba73