The Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) was founded in 1969 by MassArt
faculty member Harris Barron, class of 1954 (Ceramic Design), who
taught from 1963 until his retirement in 1988. Influenced by the rise
of performance art in the 1960’s, SIM was one of the first-of-its-kind
interdisciplinary, idea-focused, and non-media specific programs.
SIM students explore their ideas through light, sound, digital media,
and performance with a focus on experimentation, collaboration, and
civic engagement. This makes much of the artwork produced meant to
be experienced in the moment and ephemeral.
The precursor to SIM at MCA was ZONE (1968-1972), a visual theater
troupe founded by Barron, his wife Ros, and their former studio assistant,
Allen Finneran. In 1972, MassArt created the Media and Performing Arts
Department and Harris served as its first chair. With the creation of the
department came the opportunity for students to major in SIM and the
program entered its first stage of real growth.
