Paving the Way for the Creative Leaders of Tomorrow

Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture is dedicated to producing exceptional artists, designers and architects. We aim to motivate and guide students to think, be curious and remain open to new experiences and teachings in addition to being technically competent. Our curricula are designed to nurture creativity, teach responsibility for social, economic and political problems, and train students to apply their expertise towards sustainable solutions.

Introduction

Mission

In an age of rapid social, technological and aesthetic transition, we feel committed to educating our students so that they are able to analyse and critique experience, and to nurturing their creative abilities so they become active, outstanding members of our society, both personally and professionally.
We wish to go beyond technical instruction by placing emphasis on creative thought and action. Each department, despite its individual character, functions in close collaboration with the others in order to develop an awareness of the essence of the visual arts, both traditional and contemporary. This underlying philosophy is reflected in our curricula.

Through an interaction with diverse practicing artists, architects, academics, scholars, archaeologists, art historians and designers, students are exposed to the importance of ideas, concept development, and the value of research in the development of the creative process.

We shall not feel content till we have succeeded in preparing our graduates to live in the world of tomorrow and enabled them to share the responsibility of addressing social, economic and political problems by applying their professional knowledge and abilities.

Vision 2025

To impart education in art, design and architecture so as to create a culture of excellence in research and innovation, contribute towards a just and tolerant society, and enable students to serve as instruments of positive change.

Core Values

A member of the IVS community:

  • Has a passion for learning
  • Strives for excellence
  • Is ethical
  • Values criticism
  • Embraces diversity
  • Respects the environment
  • Works towards social change
  • Has dignity and humility

School Symbol

The IVS Symbol was designed by renowned Pakistani artist and sculptor Zahoor ul Akhlaq.

The history of visual language within our heritage reflects dynamic continuity and rich diversity of idiom. The elements drawn upon to symbolise the identity of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture are based on the primary sources of life.

Nusserwanjee Building

The Nusserwanjee Building is part of the IVS campus and is a beloved heritage site in the city. It was constructed in 1903 for the first Mayor of Karachi, Jamshed Nusserwanjee, at its original location in Kharadar. In 1991, the Founders of IVS saved the building from demolition and took on the mammoth task of shifting it to its present site. The building was relocated stone-by-stone and is the only conservation project of its kind in Pakistan.

“Although some thought that I must be out of my mind, most also fell in love with my idea. We made drawings and marked each and every stone. There were 27,000 stones to be saved and while doing that we lost only five in dismantling the building. Five years later, the same building was up in Clifton.” — Architect Shahid Abulla, IVS Founder