Herron School of Art + Design

What Herron School of Art + Design does

Herron School of Art + Design is a public, accredited art, design, and music school operating within Indiana University Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1902 as the John Herron Art Institute and integrated into Indiana University in 1967, the school serves approximately 650+ art and design students through 43 full-time faculty and 175 total faculty and staff across three buildings totaling 215,000 square feet. Its product surface comprises undergraduate BFA, BA, and BAE degree programs (art education, art history, ceramics, drawing and illustration, furniture design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, visual communication design), graduate programs (MA Art Therapy, MDes Communication Design, MFA Visual Art, MS/PhD Music Technology, MS/PhD Music Therapy following the 2024 integration of the Department of Music and Arts Technology), a portfolio of minors and certificates (including a Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking delivered online via IU Online), and non-degree community learning programs (Saturday School, summer programs, adult classes). Specialized facilities include the Think It Make It Lab (digital fabrication with industrial 3D printers, laser engravers, CNC router, plasma cutter, large-format printers), the CLEAR Lab (Critical Listening Environment for Audio Research, built around an SSL XL Desk and Carl Tatz Phantom Focus System), and the Tavel Center (research at the intersection of music, computer science, and media).

The school's revenue model is tuition-driven, with rates varying by program and Indiana residency status, supplemented by state appropriations through IU Indianapolis, scholarships (David K. Rubins up to $1,600; Frank A. Vietor up to $2,000; Joseph L. Van Sickle up to $3,000; Walter and Helen Mowrey up to $2,700; Holly Fehnel Heck Art Therapy Fellowship minimum $5,000), and donations. Distribution is primarily through the IU Indianapolis admissions system and on-campus delivery in Indianapolis, with extensions into study abroad programs (Italy, France, Denmark, Germany, Spain, UK, Southeast Asia) and the online Design Thinking certificate. Customer acquisition runs through portfolio-based admissions (via SlideRoom), campus visits, virtual tours, National Portfolio Day, and IU Indianapolis institutional channels. The go-to-market emphasizes student recruitment through community engagement, faculty mentorship, and the Basile Center, which connects students with 120+ community, healthcare, museum, and nonprofit partners for real-world project experience.

The institution is governed by the Indiana University Board of Trustees as part of the state university system; there is no private equity or venture capital ownership. Four accreditations anchor its regulated positioning: NASAD (since 1958) for art and design, CAAHEP for art therapy, NASM for music, and American Music Therapy Association approval. Notable strategic alliances include the Venice Biennale Sessions educational partnership (since 2009), and international research partnerships with Yonsei University, Newcastle University, the University of Iceland, and the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig. Current leadership is under Interim Dean Aaron Ganci, appointed in 2024 alongside the broader IU Indianapolis reorganization.

Name

Herron School of Art + Design

Legal name

Herron School of Art + Design

Website

https://herron.indianapolis.iu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Herron School of Art + Design is a public, accredited art, design, and music school within Indiana University Indianapolis, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees plus minors and certificates to 650+ students through specialized digital fabrication and audio research facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Art and Design Higher Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Graphic Design Services (54143), Interior Design Services (54141)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Arts & Design (Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation) (EDAMAAAB), Design & Maker Skills (Graphic Design, Calligraphy, Lettering) (EDAAAGAJ), Fine Arts Colleges (Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking) (EDAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Art and design education
• Higher education
• Music technology programs
• Art therapy degree
• Professional art school

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Tuition-based revenue model with rates varying by program and resident/non-resident status. IU Indianapolis provides cost estimation tools.
2. Scholarships and Financial Aid Distribution: School distributes scholarships including David K. Rubins (up to $1,600), Frank A. Vietor (up to $2,000), Joseph L. Van Sickle (up to $3,000), Walter and Helen Mowrey (up to $2,700), and various graduate fellowships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Herron School of Art + Design is a public professional school within Indiana University Indianapolis that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in studio art, design, music technology, and music therapy. It also offers minors, certificates (including a graduate certificate in design thinking), specialized facilities (digital fabrication, audio research, multimedia labs), career services, study abroad programs, public gallery exhibitions, and community learning programs for non-degree seekers.

Product overview

Herron School of Art + Design is part of Indiana University Indianapolis and offers a comprehensive suite of educational programs and services for art, design, and music disciplines. The school operates a platform-plus-services model comprising undergraduate and graduate degree programs across studio arts, design, music technology, and music therapy; minors and certificates including design thinking; and specialized facilities including the Think It Make It Lab (digital fabrication), CLEAR Lab (audio research), and Tavel Center (multimedia research). The school also provides career services, study abroad programs, gallery exhibitions, and community learning programs. Accreditation includes NASAD, CAAHEP, NASM, and American Music Therapy Association approval.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Art & Design Degree Programs
• Graduate Degree Programs
• Graduate Certificate in Design Thinking
• Minors and Certificates
• Foundation Studies Program
• Community Learning Programs
• Study Abroad Programs
• Career Services
• Herron Honors Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 121 years of preparing students for meaningful careers in creative fields
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Since 2009, Herron has been an official educational partner for the Venice Biennale Sessions. Students attend the annual International Art Exhibition as part of study abroad courses. The 2026 partnership involves the 61st Venice Biennale.
• National Gallery of MongoliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for research and exhibition collaborations. Featured in Uranchimeg Tsultem's 2023 research and exhibition project in Mongolia.
• University of IcelandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner institution facilitating research collaborations. Stefan Petranek conducted 2024 research project in Iceland funded by Albert and Robert Schloss Faculty Award.
• Yonsei University (South Korea)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for virtual global learning. Amrita Datta (2022) partnered with faculty from Yonsei University to update typography course for international collaboration.
• Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-SchweinfurtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman university partner. Sydney Craig led 2023 virtual learning program with students from this institution exploring memory and connection.
• Basile Center Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransformational learning initiative providing students opportunities to collaborate on projects with businesses, nonprofit organizations, healthcare facilities, communities, and government agencies. Serves 120+ clients annually.
• Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKaren Baldner (2024) partnered with Academy of Fine Arts for virtual learning program as part of bookbinding course 'Making Books Across the Big Pond.'
• Newcastle University (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeganne Masko (2022) worked with colleagues from Newcastle University to explore how common histories impact anti-Black racism in healthcare planning and delivery.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pratt Institute: Private art and design school with undergraduate and graduate programs in fine arts, design, architecture, and information science. Comparable to Herron in combining art, design, and applied creative programs with strong industry-facing career services.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): Major urban art school offering BFA/BA/MA/MFA programs across fine arts and design, with deep museum affiliations and studio-based pedagogy. Directly comparable in mission and program mix to Herron's visual art and design degrees.
• Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD): Private Midwest art and design college offering BFA and MFA programs with portfolio-based admissions and community-engaged learning. Comparable to Herron in size, regional scope, and portfolio/admissions process.
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt): Massachusetts's only publicly funded independent four-year art college, offering BFA/MFA programs with portfolio-based admissions. Highly comparable to Herron as a public, accredited art school with similar program mix and mission.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Large private art and design university offering more than 40 programs across art, design, and business with strong industry partnerships. Comparable on portfolio admissions, range of design/arts programs, and career-services infrastructure.
• Cranbrook Academy of Art: Michigan-based graduate-only art and design school offering MFA and MArch programs in studio and design disciplines. Comparable in studio-based pedagogy and 121-year regional heritage to Herron's graduate programs in Visual Art and Communication Design.
• Parsons School of Design (The New School): New York City-based design school offering BFA/MFA/MS programs in art, design, and fashion with interdisciplinary, real-world project emphasis. Directly comparable to Herron on portfolio-based admissions, design-thinking curriculum, and urban-industry partnerships.
• ArtCenter College of Design: Pasadena-based undergraduate and graduate art and design college with a strong industry reputation in transportation, product, and graphic design. Comparable to Herron's visual communication design and industrial-adjacent programs and digital fabrication facilities.
• Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD): Independent four-year art and design college in the Upper Midwest with undergraduate, certificate, and continuing education programs. Closest geographic and scale peer to Herron within the Midwest art-school segment.
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): One of the most prominent four-year art and design colleges in the U.S., offering BFA/MFA degrees across studio and design disciplines. Highly comparable to Herron's undergraduate art & design program portfolio and admissions-via-portfolio model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IUIHerron
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/herronschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/IUIHerron

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Herron School of Art + Design