News from the University of the Arts

May 2012

ArtUnleashed Exhibition and Sale Raises Record $390,000 for Scholarships

Samantha Jane Blankley '12 (Sculpture)

The fourth annual ArtUnleashed Exhibition and Sale was a great success, raising more than $390,000 for the Sam S. McKeel Promising Young Artists Scholarship Fund, the most ever raised by the event. Held April 11 - 14, ArtUnleashed offered a unique opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts at all levels to connect with the next generation of creators and visionaries. More than 600 collectors, art enthusiasts, faculty, staff and alumni attended the gala Preview Party, while others visited the exhibition and purchased artwork during the public sale.

Sincere thanks go to all the artists and to those who attended, purchased art or contributed to the event. Our special thanks go to Honorary Chair Anne F. Hamilton; Co-Chairs Shelli Alford, Deanna S. DeCherney '66, Jill Felix Colton, Sherry Effron and Stacey Spector; Presenting Sponsors Harriet and Larry Weiss; and Lead Corporate Sponsor Blick Art Materials.

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Top: The ArtUnleashed Preview Party in full swing; above: Samantha Jane Blankley '12 (Sculpture) with her work, "Aroara Bust," which was sold during the party.

University of the Arts Announces New Deans of College of Performing Arts and Division of Liberal Arts

Deans Kay F. Williams and Catherine Gunther Kodat

Two new deans, both with extensive personal experience in the arts as well as academic leadership, will join UArts this summer. Kay F. Williams (left) was named dean of the College of Performing Arts and Catherine Gunther Kodat, Ph.D. (right), will lead the Division of Liberal Arts. Williams succeeds Rick Lawn, who retired as dean in 2011 and has returned to the classroom. Dr. Kodat will take the reigns from Peter Stambler, who will also return to the UArts faculty.

Corzo Center Awarded $120,000 Knight Foundation Grant

Philadelphia's emerging creative-sector businesses will receive business and entrepreneurship assistance not normally available to the artistic community, thanks to a $120,000 grant to the University of the Arts' Corzo Center for the Creative Economy from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight Arts Challenge. The Knight Arts Challenge is a $9 million initiative funding innovative projects that engage and enrich Philadelphia's communities.

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UArts Website Wins Webby 'People's Voice' Award

The UArts website, designed by alumnus-led firm Siegel+Gale, has been voted as the winner of a Webby People's Voice Award in the School/University category. Established in 1996 and presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), the Webby Awards are the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet.

The People's Voice Award is selected by an online vote of the general public within each category. The UArts website was chosen as the best by voters from across the globe, topping nominees from UCLA, Bennington College, Towson State and the Chicago Portfolio School, which was selected by the IADAS as the category's Webby winner.

The 16th Annual Webby Awards ceremony will take place on May 21 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

Faculty Member Leads Groundbreaking Public Art Project

The University of the Arts has partnered with energy company PECO and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) to present "Commotion," a six-month-long community-based public art experience. Led by UArts faculty member John JH Phillips, this innovative project has re-imagined PRA's 53-year-old "Percent for Art" program by providing developers with the opportunity to enhance communities with original works of public art throughout the city. With funding from PECO, Phillips developed a new curriculum for UArts students focused on the history and impact of art in local communities. His new class led to the development of "Commotion," which began in January and will culminate in an exciting festival set to take place June 16 - 30.