This year represents a milestone for me as chair of the same department where I began my educational journey, deepening my knowledge of critical theory and expanding my voice to advocate for inclusivity and equity in the arts at an administrative level. I have watched this department evolve over the years as faculty and students have come and gone. However, what has been steadfast in this department’s values is its commitment to relationship building, collegiality, refreshing and rigorous discourse, and equitable access to the arts. As a leader, I will work to preserve these longstanding values while being attentive to the contemporary needs of our present faculty, staff and students. The political and social undercurrents that we, as a global community, are wading through require leaders to attend better to not only the professional advancement of their teams but also their emotional and mental wellbeing. Frankly, I am honored to be able to engage in this type of holistic leadership, where compassion and support are at the fore.
As I reflect on this academic year and its numerous accomplishments, I ask that we think about how we might plant seeds of growth that may impact AAEP’s sphere of influence. Let’s find new community partnerships and deepen our existing ones. Let’s be front and center in the development and conceptualization of the Arts District. The work that we do in Arts Administration, Education and Policy has never been more relevant. This relevancy can be seen in the articles contained within this issue. For example, AAEP alumni Terron Banner’s work with the Urban Arts Space highlights the critical role cultural institutions have in bridging opportunities, such as art exhibitions and programming to the surrounding communities. Also, AAEP PhD student Robin Gordon’s collaboration with the Center for Artistic Activism leverages art and cultural institutions as a catalyst for civic engagement and social change. And, PhD candidates Anna Freeman and Tamryn McDermott’s reflections on Listening and Learning at the Toronto Biennial highlight how the connections and conversations with Indigenous artists transformed perspectives on teaching and learning through artmaking in the classroom, to engage students to address societal and global issues of environment and systemic inequity.
AAEP faculty have been just as impressive in leading initiatives that are demonstrative of our mission to amplify the arts role in society. For example, Rachel Skaggs continues to develop opportunities for students to engage in and practice entrepreneurship in their artmaking practice. Richard Findlay Fletcher continues to expand how we think about teaching and learning, creating expansive learning experiences for students outside of the classroom in his Toronto study abroad. I am excited about our success in departmental growth this year, as we welcome a new Associate Professor Gloria Wilson, whose research is rooted in critical pedagogy, Black studies, cultural studies, critical human geography, women of color/transnational feminisms, and critical arts-based and arts-informed practices. I look forward to hearing your collective voices as we learn and grow together.
Joni Acuff, PhD
Professor and Department Chair
