Administrative Restructuring of the Performing Arts
TO: All Faculty and Staff
FROM: Chancellor Linda P. Brady
I am sending a copy of the correspondence that went out to the faculty and staff of Music, Theatre, and Dance this morning, to share with all of you this exciting news. We look forward to enhancing UNCG's profile in the performing arts by building on already strong programs in Music, Theatre, and Dance.
December 17, 2008
Dear Faculty and Staff of Music, Theatre, and Dance:
Yesterday afternoon we met with Deans John Deal, Celia Hooper, and Tim Johnston, the School of Music Division Chairs, the chair/head of Theatre and Dance, and the chairpersons of your Faculty Assemblies, to share our vision for a vibrant and thriving academic unit for the performing arts at UNCG. This vision will bring together the School of Music and the Departments of Theatre and Dance to form a unit with the working title, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
As you know, we have discussed for many years some form of reorganization that could foster collaboration and interdisciplinary creative work among some or all of the arts on our campus. The Academic Arts Committee (2000-2001) and Campus Arts Committee (2007-2008, including a visit by two consultants) addressed strategies for bringing greater visibility to the arts and the possibilities for reorganization of the arts at UNCG. Our view is that a coalescence of the performing arts could enhance already strong programs in music, theatre, and dance. A School of Music, Theatre, and Dance could create new and exciting opportunities for private giving — including the possibility of the school being named with a private gift. In addition, a stronger case can be made (both to the General Assembly and donors) for capital improvements for a unit that houses all of the performing arts.
We are fully aware of your concerns about the allocation of existing and new resources to a reconfigured unit for the performing arts. At a minimum, the existing budgets in Theatre and Dance will follow these programs, as will current and planned gifts for scholarships, fellowships, and other program funds created from private giving. Oversight of Aycock Auditorium and the University Concert Lecture Series will be transferred from the Division of Student Affairs to the new School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
To lead us through the mechanics of this transition, we will appoint a Transition Committee consisting of faculty (two each from Music, Theatre, and Dance), and representatives from the Office of the Provost (budget), University Advancement (development), Student Affairs (Aycock), and the Faculty Senate. The CommitteeÕs charge will be to consider issues of governance, facilities, etc., and to identify and recommend areas deserving of additional resources in support of the transition. We imagine all aspects of the transition will be completed by July 1, 2010.
We invite you to join us to discuss the creation of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance when the University reconvenes for the spring semester (date and location TBA). At that meeting we would be happy to discuss your suggestions concerning issues that should be addressed as we implement this vision to elevate the performing arts to a higher level of recognition and excellence on our campus, in Greensboro, and beyond.
Sincerely,
Linda P. Brady
Chancellor
David H. Perrin
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
