The university announced last week that acting dean Christopher
Waterman will officially become dean of the School of Arts and
Architecture on June 1, ending a 10-month search to fill the
position.
As dean, Waterman said his primary goals will be to develop
interdepartmental projects and expand outreach in the arts to the
community.
Existing interdepartmental programs, such as the World Arts and
Cultures major and the Design and Media Arts project Synapse, have
inspired him to encourage similar interdisciplinary projects, he
said.
Despite budget cuts, Waterman plans to provide resources and
seek potential donors to fund projects he believes could result in
an “explosion of energy.”
“I think there are cases when even a relatively small
amount of money can lead to something that is more than the sum of
the funds,” he said.
In addition, Waterman expressed interest in maintaining and
expanding arts outreach programs in public schools.
“I think public universities have a responsibility to the
community,” he said. “The arts are one of the places
where outreach can have an impact.”
Waterman said outreach is especially relevant with the recent
cuts in arts programs in schools throughout the country, which he
believes happened because many view them as unnecessary.
“We do not regard the arts as a luxury. They’re part
of being human, part of how you learn to be a citizen and part of
being somebody who participates in culture more fully,” he
said.
Waterman stressed his belief in the importance for students to
practice outreach, through which they can take what they have
learned into the “real world.”
Waterman said he would try to make outreach available to
different departments within the school and build an endowment for
outreach by finding “friends and supporters” to bolster
funding.
Current state budget cut projections suggest they will protect
instructional programs while cutting public arts, Waterman
said.
Museums such as the Hammer and Fowler, as well as UCLA
Performing Arts, are expected to be affected, which could result in
cutbacks on hours and a reduction in outreach programs to school
children, he said.
“I think (public arts) are really an important part of our
mission,” he said. “One thing that worries me is that
students don’t take enough advantage of them.”
Waterman is interested in finding ways to increase student
attendance in the public arts, such as getting classes to attend
various events, because they are a part of the students’
education, he said.
Even with budget cuts, the private donations and endowments the
school receives remain steady regardless of the economy, Waterman
said, and he will rely on them to maintain the school’s
funding
Administrators in the School of Arts and Architecture say they
are pleased with Waterman’s appointment.
“I think everyone, faculty and administration both, are
very happy with the choice because we’ve been able to work so
nicely with him during his interim year,” said Associate Dean
Lorraine Sakata.
Waterman took over as acting dean after Daniel Neuman left the
post to become the executive vice chancellor last summer.