IIT Hyderabad Launches Centre for Creative Arts to Blend Creativity with Technology

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) has taken a significant step to fuse creativity with technology by launching the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) on January 1, 2026. Established under the Department of Liberal Arts, the Centre is designed to strengthen the integration of artistic practices with technical and scientific education at the institute, promoting a holistic approach to learning and innovation.

This move reflects IIT Hyderabad’s growing emphasis on interdisciplinary education, where creative thinking complements engineering, science, and design studies, enhancing students’ problem-solving abilities and cultural literacy.

IIT-Hyderabad’s Decade-Long Creative Arts Programme Formalised

Creative and liberal arts have been part of IIT Hyderabad’s academic framework for over ten years, with formalisation beginning in 2014. The initiative started with heritage tours for first-year students and gradually evolved into credited courses covering areas like photography, fine arts, performing arts, and crafts.

Currently, around 10 per cent of the undergraduate curriculum incorporates liberal and creative arts components, ensuring that students receive sustained exposure to artistic disciplines alongside technical education. The launch of the CCA formalises these efforts, giving them institutional backing and providing a dedicated platform for growth, research, and community engagement.

Courses, Research, and Artist-in-Residence Programmes to Enrich Curriculum

The Centre for Creative Arts will offer one-to-three credit courses in creative and performing arts for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The curriculum aims to include practical and theoretical training, ensuring students gain hands-on experience in multiple art forms.

Key initiatives include:

• Adjunct Faculty and Distinguished Professors: Performing artists will be appointed to teach and mentor students.
• Artist-in-Residence Programmes: These will allow extended collaboration between students and practicing artists, fostering creativity and innovation.
• Research in the Arts: The Centre will promote doctoral and postdoctoral research in creative disciplines, with visiting artists potentially serving as co-supervisors for research scholars.
• Collaborations with Cultural Organisations: Partnerships with institutions such as SPIC MACAY are planned to support academic and cultural activities on campus, enriching the creative ecosystem.

Through these programmes, the CCA aims to bring artistic perspectives into technical education, promoting cross-disciplinary learning that blends innovation with cultural literacy.

Outreach Initiatives to Engage Schools and Wider Community

The Centre’s mandate extends beyond the IIT Hyderabad campus. Outreach initiatives will target school students and art teachers, offering workshops and exposure to diverse art forms. These programmes aim to foster early appreciation for creativity and arts, while strengthening the institute’s connection with the broader community.

By integrating outreach with academic programming, IIT Hyderabad positions the Centre as a hub not only for higher education but also for cultural dissemination and engagement.

Leadership Perspectives on the New Centre

Speaking about the launch, Prof B S Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, emphasised that the Centre aligns with the institute’s vision of combining creativity, culture, and technology in higher education.

Dr Aalok Khandekar, Head of the Department of Liberal Arts, highlighted that the CCA would expand existing creative arts programmes, introduce new courses, and support research collaborations, thereby fostering a comprehensive ecosystem for learning and innovation.

A New Era of Interdisciplinary Learning

The creation of the Centre for Creative Arts at IIT Hyderabad marks a milestone in Indian higher education, bridging the gap between arts and technology. By formalising creative arts education, promoting research, and engaging both students and the wider community, the Centre promises to nurture innovative, culturally aware, and creatively skilled engineers and scientists for the future.

This initiative sets a precedent for other technical institutes in India, demonstrating how liberal and creative arts can be meaningfully integrated into STEM curricula to enrich learning, encourage experimentation, and foster holistic development.