Missouri Western State University is nearing the final stages of its search for a dean to lead the university’s new School of Fine Arts.
“I believe that you can’t have a strong comprehensive university without a strong commitment to the arts,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “Creating a School of Fine Arts and hiring a dean who can focus on this very visible area demonstrates that we have made that commitment here at Missouri Western.”
With about 25 full-time faculty members and nearly 500 students, the School of Fine Arts offers a range of undergraduate programs in art, music, theatre, cinema and dance, including a Master of Applied Arts program in Digital Arts. The school annually produces a wide range of events including gallery shows, art exhibits, opera, musical theatre, vocal and instrumental music concerts, theatrical performances, film festivals and lectures.
Dr. Vartabedian said Missouri Western’s arts scene is already strong, with high-quality programs in the visual and performing arts. A particularly encouraging development is the rapid growth of the Missouri Western Arts Society, he said. The society was formed in 2011 to support the university’s arts programs and already has 250 members, raising more than $45,000 in its first two years.
More than 50 people have applied for the position of founding fine arts dean. The search committee plans to conduct on-campus interviews with finalists later this month.
Dr. Vartabedian hopes to find a fine arts dean with a broad understanding of the arts, preferably with direct involvement in some type of creative activity. He also wants someone who can serve as an ambassador to the community and who understands the importance of all arts in the region, not just what is happening at Missouri Western.
The search comes at the same time as what Dr. Vartabedian says is a pivotal moment in the arts at Missouri Western: this summer’s production of the musical “Miss Saigon” by Western Playhouse, the summer theatre company presented by Missouri Western’s Western Institute.
“I’ve tried at every university I’ve been at to produce this show, but wasn’t able get it done,” Dr. Vartabedian said. “The score is powerful but difficult to sing, the staging is very elaborate, and frankly not many universities are up to the challenge. I think we’re at the point where we can pull something like this off successfully. I’m especially proud that several of our students and alumni will be performing alongside professional actors.”
Cast members from around the country began rehearsals for “Miss Saigon” Monday, June 3. Performances are scheduled July 4-13.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditio
nal liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.