USC Arts Now aims to inspire new, unexpected collaborations throughout the university, and to connect the arts to all disciplines. (Images/Courtesy of the USC Arts Now initiative)
USC Arts Now: Voices from the deans and other university arts leaders
The six art schools’ leaders, along with the heads of USC Museums and the Visions and Voices series, discuss President Carol Folt’s ambitious new arts initiative.
ELIZABETH M. DALEY
Dean, USC School of Cinematic Arts:
“When School of Cinematic Arts creators and scholars focus on big themes like climate change, for example, they do so across multiple genres and forms of cinematic media, including filmmaking, game design, experimental media and scholarship. What’s great about USC Arts Now is that it offers a grounding for interdisciplinary collaboration across the university’s creative fields, especially in burgeoning areas of inquiry like the arts and climate change.”
JASON KING
Dean, USC Thornton School of Music
“USC Arts Now is an exciting and vital endeavor that will help to unify and drive USC’s diverse and innovative arts schools, faculty and resources. The initiative promises to elevate the arts on campus and boost USC’s visibility in the arts in transformative ways. Collaboration, innovation and experimentation have always been central to the Thornton School of Music’s mission and curriculum, and Arts Now provides a unique platform for those core, shared values to shine. I look forward to seeing what USC’s arts programs will achieve as we forge new, interconnected pathways between the arts, sciences and emerging technologies — and as we manifest bold visions for the future.”
HAVEN LIN-KIRK
Dean, USC Roski School of Art and Design:
“As the oldest art school in the region, The Gayle Garner Roski School of Art and Design, alongside other exceptional USC art schools, is pleased to lead the way in artistic excellence. With the launch of USC Arts Now, I’m thrilled that we are solidifying our unwavering commitment to nurturing creative practices, honoring our storied legacy while boldly embracing the future of artistic expression in all its forms.”
JULIA RITTER
Dean, USC Kaufman School of Dance:
“USC Arts Now offers the already incredible arts ecosystem at USC a chance to coalesce under one name, one banner. That means more opportunities for partnership, collaboration and chances to be interdisciplinary. It’s exciting because it fosters collective excellence and puts everyone in a position to grow.”
EMILY ROXWORTHY
Dean, USC School of Dramatic Arts:
“The students, faculty and staff of the USC School of Dramatic Arts are excited about all the possibilities USC Arts Now will create. Ours is a uniquely collaborative art form — one where every participant contributes their unique talents in service of making the impossible happen. For years we have worked as individual schools and faculty to create meaningful collaborations with colleagues across the two USC campuses; this initiative not only formalizes the importance of that work but will create new opportunities and new collaborations — the kind we can’t even begin to imagine yet.”
BRETT STEELE
Dean, USC School of Architecture:
“The USC School of Architecture is so excited and proud to be a part of the creative networks that are USC Arts Now: an exciting next step elevating and amplifying the impact of all the arts across campus and connecting USC to public communities and audiences across Southern California better than ever.”
BETHANY MONTAGANO
Director, USC Museums
“Under President Carol Folt’s visionary leadership, USC has embraced the transformative power of art, seeing it not just as a reflection of our world but as a catalyst for change. Her commitment to meaningful expressions — through her support of our exhibitions and programs — sets a dynamic course for our institution. In this spirit, Josh Kun’s work profoundly bridges culture and social justice, illuminating how art and music break boundaries and inspire societal progress. USC Museums is energized by the USC Arts Now initiative, a forward-thinking collaboration led by Folt and Kun that unites disciplines and sparks innovation at USC. We couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”
DARIA YUDACUFSKI
Executive director, USC Visions and Voices:
“USC Arts Now amplifies USC’s commitment to the power and importance of the arts, which are vital for bringing communities together and helping us connect across differences. The Arts Now umbrella will highlight the incredible arts programs that USC already offers while also creating new possibilities for partnerships that engage our students and the larger community in the arts in truly impactful ways. At Visions and Voices, we have already begun working with the arts schools and other departments to develop events that will showcase our talented students as well as connect the arts with health, technology and more.”
