New College of Arts and Architecture
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February 6, 2008
UNC Charlotte Trustees Approve New College of Arts and Architecture
Called a Conduit Between the University and Regional Arts and Cultural Groups
CHARLOTTE – Feb. 6, 2008 – UNC Charlotte’s Board of Trustees has approved the establishment of the College of Arts and Architecture, a change that will prepare graduates for careers as architects, artists and other creative and innovative professions in the arts and cultural economy.
The Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the new college on Jan. 31, and it becomes effective on July 1. It will bring together multiple disciplines, ranging from the College of Architecture to the departments of art and art history, music, and dance and theatre. Those departments previously were in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Ken Lambla, dean of the College of Architecture, said the college will provide a broader channel for the university to offer the right kinds of professional degree programs for students to develop artistic and creative leadership skills. Lambla also will serve as dean of the College of Arts and Architecture.
The UNC Tomorrow Commission’s recent report concluded that North Carolina’s public universities should produce more graduates who are well-rounded in the arts and culture.
“Creating the College of Arts and Architecture at UNC Charlotte is a bold decision by the institution to recognize the vitality of these disciplines, promote programs in creative leadership, develop innovative programs and projects, and move the arts, architecture and cultural production to a more central place in the identity of UNC Charlotte,” Lambla said.
In his 2006 installation address, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois advanced the idea of creating the college, saying, “… we should look inside our own University as well, to see whether there are creative synergies that might be realized by the creation of a new academic college that would house both architecture and the arts.”
Provost Joan Lorden said the college will help to engage the university with Charlotte’s arts and cultural community, including such important institutions as the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Imaginon, and the new cultural campus under construction on South Tryon Street.
Board of Trustees Chairwoman Ruth Shaw called the combination an ideal fit.
“There’s a real sense of excitement and vigor around this,” she said before the board’s unanimous vote to approve the proposal.
The College of Arts and Architecture will provide more opportunities for students to collaborate with community arts organizations in such areas as arts education, environmental programs and community development projects, supporters said.
“There is no greater bridge between a community and its university than an excellent campus program in the arts,” said Michael Marsicano, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation For the Carolinas and a member of the task force that studied the proposal. “UNC Charlotte has just taken a leap forward in reaching out to the citizens in Charlotte even as it enhances its academic offering to prospective students.”
Lee Keesler, president and chief executive officer of the Arts & Science Council who also served on the task force, said the project will lead to exciting collaborative works in the future.
“The creation of the new College of Arts and Architecture affirms the University’s commitment to supporting artistic development, and strengthens opportunities to partner with the cultural community,” Keesler said. “The college will enhance creative activity at the University for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Other members of the Arts and Architecture Task Force included: Edward St. Clair, Department of Religious Studies (Task Force Chair); Bruce Auerbach, Chair, Department of Dance and Theatre; Suzanne Fetscher, President and Executive Director, McColl Center for Visual Art; Carl Johnson, Director of Gift Planning, Office of Development; Royce Lumpkin, Chair, Department of Music; Albert Maisto, Bonnie E. Cone Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean, Honors College; William Ribarsky, Bank of America Endowed Chair, College of Computing and Informatics; Roy Strassberg, Chair, Department of Art; and, Betsy West, Chair, College of Architecture.