Dean, Claire Trevor School of the Arts

Oct. 14, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Joseph S. Lewis III, a nationally renowned artist, arts educator and administrator, as dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts effective March 24, 2010.

Since 2004, Professor Lewis has been dean of the School of Art & Design in the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in New York. In that capacity, he has been responsible for enhancing the school’s reputation, creating and implementing international programs, cultivating donor relationships and – in partnership with faculty – developing a new mission and vision for the school. He also oversees the University Gallery, visiting artist program and student-run exhibits. Prior to Alfred University, he was dean of the School of Art & Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. From 1995 to 2001, he served as chair of the art department at California State University, Northridge, and as a faculty member at California Institute of the Arts from 1991 to 1995.

Lewis’ work has appeared in many exhibitions, including solo shows at The Durst Corporation and Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts, New York; the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati; and the Substation, Singapore; and group exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; High Museum of Art, Atlanta; A9 Space, Beijing; the Studio Museum, Harlem; the New Museum and Museum of Arts & Design in New York. Additionally, he has written for Art in America, LA Weekly and Artforum, and been published in anthologies and peer-reviewed journals. Lewis also has lectured extensively on public art, community-based artmaking, and the alternative space movement.

We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Professor Alan Terricciano, who has served as acting dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts since July 2008 and has agreed to continue through March 2010. Alan has provided outstanding leadership during this critical period; we are all immensely grateful for his service.

In addition we want to thank the search committee – and especially chair Eli Simon – for their outstanding efforts throughout this national search.

Chancellor Michael Drake

Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost Michael Gottfredson