The Alice Coonley Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities upholds the centrality of the arts and humanities in our lives and promotes the intrinsic values of inquiry and education. We believe that humanistic exploration and practices are crucial to our development as intellectually curious, socially engaged, and ethically oriented people. The Higgins Institute amplifies the call of our community to support all aspects of humanistic endeavors: scholarship, artistic expression, fellowship, collaboration, teaching, and learning across Clark’s campus and beyond.
Founded in 1986, the Higgins Institute enhances the intellectual and cultural life of Clark University by fostering connections between the arts and humanities disciplines—English; History; Language, Literature, and Culture; Philosophy; and Visual and Performing Arts. We sponsor public programming and campus initiatives, support curricular innovation and teaching excellence, and fund creative practice and research through our grant programs.
Public programming
Cutting-edge research, humanistic perspectives on pressing issues of the day, groundbreaking creative work, community-focused dialogue.
Research collaboratives
Networks for interdisciplinary exploration, opportunities for innovation and development, collaborative research and teaching.
Funding opportunities
Financial support for faculty creative and scholarly work, partnerships and other linking activities, seed grants for early-stage projects, and summer fellowships for arts and humanities students
Student engagement
Deep dives into semester-long themes, mindfulness and creative practice, exploration of arts and humanities on campus and in the broader community
News
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Toby Sisson selected for RISD Museum residency
With an emphasis on process, experimentation, and collaboration, the residency invites artists to shape the direction of their research and …
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Toby Sisson selected for RISD Museum residency
With an emphasis on process, experimentation, and collaboration, the residency invites artists to shape the direction of their research and …
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Aylward’s ‘Oblivion’ film wins festival prize
“I’m thrilled with the award and the success on the international film circuit,” Aylward said. The film will have its European premiere at the …
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10 things you should know for the fall 2025 semester
10 things you should know for the fall 2025 semester · 1. Introducing The Clark Experience · 2. Clubs and activities · 3. Getting around …
Support the Institute
Gifts to the Higgins Institute fund public programming, faculty research, and curricular and pedagogical innovation, strengthening the University’s engagement with and reputation in the arts and humanities.
If you would like to make a gift, please click on the button below, select designation “Other,” and indicate that you would like your gift directed to the Higgins Institute for Arts and Humanities.
We are grateful for your generosity.
Higgins Institute at a glance
In partnership with
