Interdisciplinary Collaborations
The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts pioneers the intersection of artistry and technology, transforming how students across the Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts and beyond prepare for tomorrow's creative landscapes.
Home to the innovative Emerging Media Arts major, we immerse students in hands-on experiences spanning storytelling, sound design, animation, filmmaking, game engines, immersive and interactive media, and world building. Our graduates don't just enter existing industries—they reshape them, leading careers in cutting-edge technology, film and theater innovation, next-generation gaming, experience design, and emerging creative fields that don't yet have names.
Ready to engineer the future of creative expression? Join us in redefining what's possible when imagination meets innovation.
Meet Professor Ash Smith
From peer-to-peer interactions to community collaborations, Professor Ash Eliza Smith describes how interdisciplinary approaches and a joyful sense of play fuel innovation in the Carson Center.
Interdisciplinary Collaborations at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
Where creativity meets cutting-edge technology, and the future of storytelling takes shape.
The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts stands as a creative powerhouse within the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts and the University of Nebraska, breaking down traditional barriers between disciplines to forge the next generation of digital artists and media innovators.
Immersive Learning Experiences
Our experiential, hands-on curriculum puts you at the center of creation from day one. Whether you're sculpting soundscapes in our state-of-the-art audio lab, bringing characters to life through animation or augmented reality, or building entire virtual worlds in game engines, you'll learn from professionals and work with industry-standard tools and techniques that prepare you for real-world challenges.
Diverse Career Pathways
Our graduates don't just find jobs—they create entirely new forms of artistic expression. From film and animation studios to immersive media companies, from game development teams to location-based entertainment experiences, from immersive theatre to fine arts installations, our alumni are shaping the creative technology landscape and new forms of storytelling across industries.
Collaborative Innovations
This isn't just about learning existing techniques—it's about inventing what comes next. Our interdisciplinary approach connects students across the college and beyond, fostering collaborations that spark breakthrough ideas and push the boundaries of what's possible in digital media.
Ready to pioneer the future of creative expression?
Join us at the Johnny Carson Center, where your artistic vision meets unlimited technological possibilities and bold interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.