Artistic Director
The Berklee Interdisciplinary Arts Institute (BIAI) was founded in 2008 by Neil Leonard(Opens in a new window), a composer, saxophonist, interdisciplinary artist, and professor emeritus at Berklee College of Music. The vision underlying the institute is that collaboration across the arts—including music, film, dance, theater, visual art, and emerging technologies—is a foundation for innovation, creativity, and expanded opportunities for musicians.
Neil led this vision to success in his tenure at BIAI. The institute offers courses in intermedia arts, bringing together sound, image, interactivity, and technology to develop new forms of artistic expression. The institute provides students with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, engage with artists from around the world, and explore modern and global forms of art.
Graduates of the institute have gone on to become multimedia artists, installation artists, music technology developers, and creative leaders, contributing to multimedia festivals, award-winning productions, and visual production companies.
Institute Update: Spring 2027
Neil Leonard retired in December 2025, at which time the college began early discussions about the next chapter of the institute. While these are progressing very favorably, we have made the decision to pause BIAI’s course offerings beginning in the Spring 2027 semester as we take the necessary time to develop the next chapter of the institute.
If you have any questions about this announcement, please reach out to elpd@berklee.edu. Otherwise, we look forward to sharing our plans for a renewed and expanded institute, with the goal of welcoming students back as soon as possible.
Please stay tuned for updates as we shape the next chapter of BIAI!
Michele Darling
Chair, Electronic Production & Design
Acting Director, BIAI