October 5, 2023, Filed Under: From the Executive Director, UncategorizedRemembering Yacov Sharir Dear Friends, With sadness, I write to inform you of the passing of Yacov Sharir, the husband of Advisory Council member Pat Clubb, as well as a professor emeritus in the Department of Theatre and Dance. An innovator in the field of contemporary dance, Yacov is remembered as an inspiring collaborator, uniquely talented educator, and much-beloved member of the College of Fine Arts community for over 40 years. Yacov made a lasting impression on professional dance in Austin, across Texas, and beyond. He was also a scholarship donor, helping to ensure talented dance students could complete their educations debt free. More on Yacov’s work and impact on our college can be found here: In Memoriam: Yacov Sharir. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Yacov Sharir and Pat Clubb Endowed Scholarship in Dance at The University of Texas at Austin. Donations may be made by phoning toll free 866-488-3927; giving online; or by check made payable to The University of Texas at Austin and mailed to our office: UT College of Fine Arts, 2501 Trinity Street, D1400, Austin, TX 78712-1424. Please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Pat on her loss. Sincerely, Sondra Lomax Executive Director and Associate Dean for Development
December 15, 2021, Filed Under: UncategorizedDean’s Insider: Pursuing arts collaborations that are changing the field Dear Friends, I’m entering my sixth month as dean, and I’m so excited to travel outside Austin and to begin meeting supporters, faculty and alumni across the state and country. Last month, I traveled to New York for a whirlwind week of meetings, exhibitions and performances, and I had the beautiful realization that our alumni and current faculty are having an incredible impact on the arts scene in New York. On the alumni front, I met with Lauren Reid (B.A., Spanish, 1992), president of Broadway Across America, Mark Russell (B.F.A., Theatrical Design, 1978), director of Under the Radar Festival at the Public Theater, Rachel Adler Rosan (B.A., Art History, 1997), head of appraisals at the Phillips Auctions, and Fairfax Dorn (B.A., Studio Art, 1997), co-founder and artistic director of Ballroom Marfa. I had the pleasure of seeing Stories of Wonder: When the Sea is my Land, a solo exhibition by Assistant Professor Scherezade García at Praxis Gallery. I also did a studio visit with Assistant Professor Beverly Acha, who is currently the inaugural artist-in-residence for Lighthouse Works. And I enjoyed a private tour at the Whitney Museum hosted by art collector/investor Peter Kahng, who will be a guest lecturer in the School of Design and Creative Technologies this spring. I closed my visit at the headquarters of UT in New York, a program that allows our students to live, work and learn in one of the most dynamic arts and cultural scenes in the world. UTNY is a key platform that links all of these circles of influence and existing practices that the university and our alumni are advancing to connect them with our students so they can see how UT is shaping the New York arts scene. I left New York full of inspiration and excitement, and I can’t wait to return. Sincerely, Dean Ramón H. Rivera-Servera
September 3, 2019, Filed Under: From the Dean, UncategorizedAnnouncing Bob Bursey as Executive Director of Texas Performing Arts Dear Advisory Council members, I’m delighted to share with you the news that Bob Bursey will be joining the College of Fine Arts as the new executive director of Texas Performing Arts, effective January 1. Bob comes to TPA from the Fisher Center—a Frank Gehry-designed performing arts center on the campus of Bard College in New York—where he serves as executive director. Since his appointment in 2012, the Fisher Center has earned a reputation as one of America’s most adventurous performing arts producers. His experience spans artistic genres and ranges from contemporary experimentation to rediscovering classic works, and is particularly recognized for forward-thinking collaborations and groundbreaking projects. Continue Reading Announcing Bob Bursey as Executive Director of Texas Performing Arts
