The annual conference, held late October in New Orleans, kicked off with the innovative Mentoring Initiatives for New Deans (MIND) workshop. In its second year, MIND serves new deans and associate deans and the issues they face. Dan Guyette, a member of the ICFAD Board of Directors—who was appointed dean of the WMU College of Fine Arts in August—chaired the day-long session which provided a toolbox for those who have transitioned into administrative leadership roles in fine arts colleges.
Guyette, who is also chairing this week’s ICFAD 50th anniversary gala celebration in New Orleans, led MIND participants through learning exercises in fundraising, conflict management, strategic planning and fiscal management.
Also playing a leadership role in the ICFAD conference is Margaret Merrion, who retired as WMU College of Fine Arts dean in June. Merrion delivered a keynote address, “The Delphi Report: Updating the Forecast for the Future of the Arts in Higher Education,” and also facilitated the session, “Leading ‘in the Now’ While Anticipating the Future.”
To learn more, please visit www.icfad.org