Arts Institute in search of new director

Wanted: an arts leader and advocate to direct UW–Madison’s Arts Institute. The opening comes as Tino Balio, AI director since the body’s inception in 1998, retires.

According to Jim Escalante, chair of the search committee, the position is charged with increasing the visibility and impact of arts at UW–Madison both on and off campus; fostering interdisciplinary and interarts efforts, and developing a strategic fundraising campaign to support them; and administering arts awards and fellowships, among other duties.

The Arts Institute essentially acts as a clearinghouse for arts on campus, which are housed in the College of Letters and Science, the School of Education and the School of Human Ecology. In addition, the institute supports the Wisconsin Film Festival, Interdisciplinary Arts Residency program, arts awards and such outreach efforts as the campus arts Web site (www.arts.wisc.edu).

“Of special interest to us is the continued effort to bring visibility to all arts on campus, as well as act as a liaison between the Arts Institute and the university and to external organizations,” Escalante says.

The position is open to full-time faculty on a half-time, nine-month basis with one-month summer support. The appointment is for five years with reappointment possible. The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 1, to ensure a successor is named before Balio leaves the post in January, Escalante says.

For more information or to apply, contact him at (608) 262-1662 or jaescala@wisc.edu.