MOPA Executive Director to Lead San Diego State
University Art School

Contact: Lorena Nava
SDSU Marketing & Communications
Tel: (619) 594-3952 office; (619) 309-5179 cell
lnava@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO – (Thursday, April 6, 2006) – San Diego State University's School of Art, Design, and Art History has named Arthur Ollman as its new director, starting Aug. 15. Prior to joining SDSU, Ollman was the executive director of the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego.

"Arthur has impressive credentials, both as an administrator and as an artist," said Joyce Gattas, dean of SDSU's College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. "He is critically acclaimed by his peers, not only for his prolific writing in journals, but also for his many exhibitions around the world.”

As director of the School of Art , Design, and Art History, Ollman will oversee the many functions of the school, act as a liaison to strengthen relationships with the local community and alumni, and to foster and enhance interdisciplinary and intercultural collaborations with the local arts community.

"I've long admired the programs at SDSU and know many of the faculty and staff members," Ollman said. "I'm looking forward to helping the school grow and evolve, as well as increase our national and international recognition."

Ollman joined the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego as its founding executive director when it opened in 1983. During his tenure, he curated over 70 exhibitions and the museum grew to become one of the best photographic art museums in the country. Previously, Ollman served as the president of the board of directors of CAMERAWORK, a non-profit photography gallery in San Francisco that he helped establish. Ollman earned a master's of fine arts degree from Lone Mountain College , now a part of the University of San Francisco . Since 1978, Ollman has given classes and lectures at more than 20 universities, museums and workshops.

The School of Art, Design, and Art History is committed to excellence in the visual arts and design, intellectual development, interdisciplinary research and creative growth. The faculty, professionally active artists, designers, scholars, critics and educators seek to develop a high degree of professional competence in future artists, art historians, art educators and designers within the rich environment of a large, culturally diverse urban university. The school strives to assume a leadership role in the visual arts and design by serving as a cultural resource for San Diego State University , Southern California and Baja California , Mexico . The school also operates the University Art Gallery and two student exhibition spaces, the Flor y Canto Gallery and the Everett Gee Jackson Gallery.

SDSU is the oldest and largest institution of higher education in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 81 areas, master’s degrees in 72 and doctorates in 16. SDSU’s nearly 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct faculty contact and an increasingly international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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