News: DR. JAMES C. MARCHANT APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF SUU’S ARTS ADMINSTRATION (MFA) PROGRAM AND UTAH CENTER FOR ARTS ADMINISTRATION (CC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 05/09/11
Michael French
Public Information Coordinator
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Southern Utah University
Office: 435-865-8667
michaelfrench@suu.edu

Photo: Dr. James C. Marchant. Credit: Courtesy of Dr. James C. Marchant

DR. JAMES C. MARCHANT
APPOINTED DIRECTOR
OF SUU’S ARTS ADMINSTRATION (MFA) PROGRAM
AND UTAH CENTER FOR ARTS ADMINISTRATION


Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT: Dean Shauna Mendini, SUU’s College of Performing and Visual Arts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. James C. Marchant as Director of the Art Administration (MFA) Program and Utah Center for Arts Administration. The Arts Administration (MFA) Program provides an interdisciplinary education that develops well-rounded generalists, employable in any of the arts disciplines as professional arts administrators. The program focuses on practical applications and philosophies of nonprofit management necessary to prepare students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a professional leadership position in the field of arts administration. The Utah Center for Arts Administration is a comprehensive resource for arts organizations offering consulting, virtual educational services, and professional seminars designed to enhance the effectiveness of arts managers and to help strengthen the important contribution the arts make to the people and communities of Utah and the Southwest.

James C. Marchant has a Bachelor of Arts degree from The American University in Justice with a focus in theatre, a law degree from the Beasley School of Law at Temple University and a Ph.D. in Art Education concentrating in Cultural Policy and Arts Administration from the Ohio State University. Although originally from New Hampshire, Dr. Marchant has worked and volunteered in cities across the United States, including Washington, DC, San Francisco, New York City, Philadelphia, and Columbus, Ohio. Most recently, Dr. Marchant has served as the Program Coordinator for the Arts Administration program at the Savannah College of Art & Design, working out of their Atlanta campus. He has an interest in endangered languages and cultures and how the arts are utilized in issues of social justice.

In announcing the appointment, Dean Mendini stated, “after an extensive search, Dr. Marchant not only met but surpassed our qualifications and offered unique and fresh insights on developing the SUU Arts Administration Program and growing the Utah Center for Arts Administration. I look forward to working with Dr. Marchant as he inspires and mentors our students on the road to becoming resourceful and creative arts administrators.”

The SUU Arts Administration graduate program (MFA degree) has been designed to blend a love of the arts with the professional business skills necessary to promote, maintain, enhance, and fund arts organizations. This two-year, year-round program develops skills in strategic planning, marketing, fundraising, grant writing, budgeting and finance, advocacy, education, program development and community relations. Arts Administration students work alongside arts management professionals in the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, and the College of Performing and Visual Arts. The unique blend of classroom involvement and hands-on practical experience propels graduates into the Arts Administration job market that is actively seeking trained arts managers.

The Utah Center for Arts Administration provides services and training for arts organizations and their managers in the Southern Utah region. The Center offers affordable consulting services such as marketing plans, audience surveys and development audits at reduced prices for arts organizations. The Center also offers seminars and workshops to help further the development of arts managers in Utah and the surrounding areas. Future plans include online courses and a certificate program for working arts administrators who are unable to attend a university full-time. The UCAA affords SUU Arts Administration students an opportunity to use the skills and training which they are developing during their studies.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE
The Southern Utah University College of Performing and Visual Arts is comprised of nationally accredited departments of Art and Design, Music, Theatre Arts and Dance, as well as a graduate program in Arts Administration. The College offers 16 different degree areas, including liberal arts Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees; professional Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Fine Arts in art and theatre degrees; and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration degree. More than 60 full- and part-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 550 majors in the College. Over 1100 students enroll each year in over 195 arts classes on the SUU campus. The College presents 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year. The College’s affiliate organizations include the Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, American Folk Ballet, Utah Shakespeare Festival, the performance group Acclamation, and the SUU Ballroom Dance Company. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, contact the Office of the Dean (435) 865-8561, or by e-mail at cpvamktg@suu.edu.