Laurie Anderson

Composer, Artist, Filmmaker

2005

Laurie Anderson is one of America’s most renowned – and daring – creative pioneers. Known primarily for her multimedia presentations, she has cast herself in roles as varied as visual artist, composer, poet, photographer, filmmaker, electronics whiz, vocalist, and instrumentalist.

Recognized worldwide as a groundbreaking leader in the use of technology in the arts, Anderson collaborated with Interval Research Corporation, a research and development laboratory founded by Paul Allen and David Liddle, in the exploration of new creative tools, including the Talking Stick.

A highly acclaimed performance artist who also became an unlikely pop star in the 1980s. She was a pioneer of multimedia Performance and Installation art, before crossing over into the popular music industry with songs from her large-scale performance pieces, later producing full albums for commercial release. As one of the first artists of her downtown New York context to achieve a level of commercial fame, she was at the forefront of debates around the influence of mass media on the art world. She has since been recognized as being remarkably ahead of her time in embracing of new technologies in art and performance practice, and in her engagement with new media to share her work.

More Artists in Residence

Sam Pollard

Filmmaker

2021

Mary Harron

Film Director

2020

Raoul Peck

Filmmaker

2019

Sean Baker

Filmmaker

2018

Jon Alpert and Keiko Tsuno

Documentary Filmmakers

2017

Toni Dove

Artist in interactive media

2014

Lynn Hershman Leeson

Artist and filmmaker

2013

Benh Zeitlin

Filmmaker, Composer and Animator

2013

Ramin Bahrani

Director, Screenwriter

2012

Guy Maddin

Filmmaker

2011

Haile Gerima

Filmmaker and Professor of film

2010

Jim Stark

Producer

2009

Cynthia Wade

2008

John Cameron Mitchell

2007

Laurie Anderson

Composer, Artist, Filmmaker

2005

John Waters

Filmmaker

2004

D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus

Documentary filmmakers

2003

Learn more about our programs

The MA in Media Studies gives students experience in creative media making, critical analysis, and entrepreneurialism. The Media Management MS offers the practical experience you need to succeed in today's media industries. The Documentary Studies Certificate program provides an opportunity to study documentary filmmaking in a small, tightly focused program. The Media Management Certificate Program provides a strong foundation of management principles and leadership skills to find work in the ever-changing global media landscape.

News

More News »