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Photo gallery Arts Institute director finalists announced

May 20, 2016 By Käri Knutson

A search and screen committee has named three finalists for Arts Institute director, presenting its recommendations to Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf Thursday.

A 13-member committee, chaired by School of Human Ecology Professor Jennifer Angus, selected:

John Baldacchino, professorial chair of arts education at The School of Education & Social Work, University of Dundee, Scotland.

Steven Jay Bliss, dean, School of Fine Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia.

Stephani Etheridge Woodson, associate professor in the School of Film, Dance and Theatre, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

The Arts Institute, described as the voice of the arts at the university, supports and promotes a variety of programs and initiatives, both its own and those of partners. Working with numerous faculty and staff in a wide range of departments and fields, the institute generates conditions for bold thinking and groundbreaking creative work.

Norma Saldivar, professor of theatre and drama, currently serves as interim director. The director, who reports to the provost, coordinates and directs activities of the Arts Institute and has primary responsibility for overseeing budgets, programming, operations, personnel, facilities, marketing, development, community relations and strategic planning.

Public presentations by the finalists will be from 10:45 a.m. to noon at Union South, with Woodson on May 23, Bliss on May 24 and Baldacchino on May 31.

The candidates’ CVs are available on the search website.

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