For the past two years, five departments in ISU’s College of Design collaborated with the University’s Provost, the College’s Dean, Iowa businesses, and Iowa’s Main Street program to visualize and finance an interdisciplinary masters program in Historic Preservation. With the first phase of implementation complete this breakout session reviews a study that examines 1) how university programs in the arts and applied arts can collaborate with regional businesses and existing governmental agencies to secure external funding and 2) the key characteristics and essential strategies of a successful interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary collaboration.