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The Committee to Re-Imagine SFAI
Dear SFAA,
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The SFAI Re-Imagine Committee is an autonomous committee empowered by the Board of Trustees, is fully focused on re-imagining what it takes to prepare emerging artists in the year 2021 and beyond.
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The three co-chairs, Chris Williams (BFA 2017, MFA 2020), Tom Loughlin (MFA 2013), and Karen Topakian (MFA 1987), formed the Committee with representation from tenured faculty (Lindsey White and Cristóbal Martínez; alternates: Brett Reichman and Claire Daigle), adjunct faculty (Matt Borruso and Jennifer Locke; alternates: Orit Ben Shitrit and Irene Carvajal), staff (Zeina Barakeh and Ana Suek; alternate: Kat Trataris), alumni (Annie Reiniger, Emily Reynolds and Rye Purvis) and students who were enrolled in Spring 2020 (Oscar Lopez and Kav Hambira).
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By the end of December, the Committee will deliver a proposal to the board that responds to the questions in the Board’s charge (see link below).
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Since holding its first weekly meeting in August, the Committee has built a working team who now lead and populate the following seven sub-committees – Pedagogy, Degree + Non-degree programs; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion + Culture; Development + Partnerships; Finance; Governance; Marketing + Communications + Enrollment; Sustainability and Environmental Justice.
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The sub-committees, which also meet weekly, focus on re-imagining SFAI within their specific area. Their reports and plans will ultimately form the basis of the plan provided to the board.
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In order to keep the SFAI community engaged and informed about our work, the Committee has held a series of Town Halls (two in July and two in September) where we have sought feedback to help us incorporate other viewpoints and perspectives into the plan.
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We will continue to hold monthly Town Halls until the end of the year. At our November Town Hall, set for Friday, November 6 from 2 - 3:30 PM, we will present a progress report on our sub-committees’ findings and ideas.
Follow this link to register for the Town Hall:
Re-Imagine Town Hall Zoom Meeting
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Follow this link to watch the Town Hall if you missed it:
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For more information about the Committee to Re-Imagine SFAI please follow the links below:
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Alumni participation and insight is key to the Re-Imagining process. To get involved or learn more, contact the Committee Co-Chairs at reimagine@sfai.edu
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Thank you,
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Chris Williams BFA’ 17, MFA'20, Tom Loughlin MFA'13 and Karen Topakian MFA’87