The mission of the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford University is to engage artists-in-residence, students, faculty and the local community in a collaborative process to create visual and performing art that can inspire cultural dialogues and create change with regard to issues of diversity. Our goal is to bring the artistic process of inquiry, discovery and expression into the discussion of race, culture and identity. Through courses and student productions IDA focuses on the participatory group process of art making and thereby encourages dialogue and close engagement among all participants. In so doing, IDA situates itself as a learning and community-building project in which art is the language of engagement. We feel that through the critical lens of visual art and performance and with active student participation a truer richer understanding can emerge.