News

Two History of Art and Architecture doctoral students awarded prestigious Wyeth fellowships

Two scholars land coveted spots at the nation’s top art research institute.

Two doctoral candidates from UC Santa Barbara’s Department of History of Art and Architecture, Elizabeth Driscoll Smith and Sylvia Faichney, have been named Wyeth Fellows at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts (CASVA). Housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., CASVA is the Gallery’s research institute and offers the most prestigious national-level fellowships in art and architectural history: limited to ten total pre-doctoral fellowships nationally.

From Santa Barbara to Venice: Professor Iman Djouini Brings North African Folktales to the World Stage

Her solo show, “Limn,” will be featured in the Personal Structures exhibition, running alongside the 61st La Biennale di Venezia in 2026.

$1.5 million grant positions UCSB Religious Studies at the forefront of spirituality research

Prof. Joseph Blankholm (Religious Studies) has been awarded a $1.5M Templeton grant to study the rise of modern spirituality as religious affiliation declines.

Standing on a New Tectonic Plate

Writing Program & CCS lecturer Robert Krut discusses his new poetry collection, "Oh Oblivion," and how teaching at UCSB provides a creative spark for his work.

The Art of Holding Memory

Dept. of Art & CCS lecturer Kim Garcia's new exhibition uses sculpture to explore family history, migration, and the "art of holding memory."

Discourse in Motion: Collaboration Takes the Stage

Led by Prof. Brandon Whited, UCSB's Santa Barbara Dance Theater premieres "FORUM," a new collaborative work featuring student apprentices.

An Enduring Voice: HFA Celebrates Joan Mitchell

See "Sunflower" at the AD&A Museum's Joan Mitchell centennial show, featuring insights from History of Art & Architecture Chair Jenni Sorkin on the artist's legacy.

HFA Welcomes Faculty for the 2025–2026 Academic Year

The Division of Humanities & Fine Arts welcomes 16 new scholars and artists to UC Santa Barbara. Their expertise and energy enrich the campus community.