The Centre's aim is to support and promote the work of artists who use art strategies and studio practice as a way of conducting investigative research, which in turn leads to new knowledge and new art. Generally speaking these strategies, often based on a cocktail of intuition, empiricism and analysis, find fulfilment in the artist's laboratory - the studio. Thereby promoting the use of studio techniques and art strategies as uniquely balanced research methods. The Centre also encourages artists to engage in research practices normally associated with other disciplines such as science and technology, and to use these in conjunction with art research strategies.
Research is conducted on the basis of both team and individual programmes.
Team projects are not confined to faculty or research centre members, but may form part of an international group either co-ordinated by the Centre or affiliated to Centres elsewhere.