Founded in 1882, The Cleveland Institute of Art is an independent college of art and design committed to leadership and vision in all forms of visual arts education. The Institute makes enduring contributions to art and education and connects to the community through gallery exhibitions, lectures, a continuing education pro- Link gram and The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. FALL 2010 NEWS FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART GRAFTON J. NUNES IS CIA’S 10th PRESIDENT In 1979, the film scholar and producer to research bar band rock ‘n’ roll for he is delighted to be surrounded now by He has already witnessed “the extraor- Grafton Nunes came to Cleveland to the script of Light of Day, which starred University Circle’s cultural institutions. dinary relationships” between CIA faculty work on the script of director Paul Michael J. Fox and Joan Jett and was shot “In this circle you have world class muse- and students that help cultivate inspired Schrader’s film, Light of Day. The city at the Euclid Tavern in University Circle. ums, a botanical garden, some of the best art and design. “There’s a very strong made a good impression. Nunes later co-produced The Loveless, the hospitals in the country, along with arts one-on-one mentorship, a personal invest- “I remember going to lunchtime con- first feature film by academy award win- institutions, music institutions, a natural ment in the students and their work, and certs in the Flats and there, at the bar, ning director Kathryn Bigelow. history museum. It strikes me as being like a strong investment in the integrity of you had construction workers, lawyers, On his way to becoming a film scholar an acropolis. It’s this vital center of human the field. There’s a love of the students cab drivers, architects — every type of and producer, he took the job of admin- person listening to rock ‘n’ roll. That istrator of the film school at Columbia, “There’s nothing more exciting than spoke to me about a quality of social where he held roles of increasing interaction that was very, very appealing responsibility over the course of 22 the moment of discovery.” and that I had not seen in any other city,” years. Nunes then spent 12 years at Nunes recalled. Emerson College in Boston, where he culture that not only I, as president, can creating but there’s also a love of the art,” His memory of Cleveland as “a city of was founding dean of the School of the experience, but that students can experi- Nunes said. great audiences” sprang to mind when Arts. During his tenure, the school grew ence. Having a sophisticated arts culture He was equally impressed with the level Nunes received a phone call last winter to 3,000 students taught by 111 full-time has to be inspirational to our students.” of engagement by members of the board from an executive recruiting firm assisting and 150 part-time faculty members. A father of six, Nunes said he is pas- of directors, the faculty and alumni who The Cleveland Institute of Art with its At both Columbia and Emerson, Nunes sionate about seeing young artists come participated in the presidential search presidential search. was centrally involved in extensive capital from high school to art school to make art. process. “What that showed me was a “When I got the call, I thought ‘this is projects, including a $45 million perform- “There’s nothing more exciting than the real commitment and an extraordinary perfect.’” said Nunes, who took office on ing arts and television production facility moment of discovery. When young people love for the institution,” he said. “The July 1 as CIA’s 10th president. “Cleveland in downtown Boston that helped revital- come to those key moments of realization, thing that I’m looking forward to doing is was definitely a draw for me when I ize a neglected neighborhood. they can create extraordinary art.” telling this CIA story to a more national considered pursuing this position. People and international audience. I want young here like gathering together and having AN AGENT FOR SOCIAL GOOD… ART SCHOOL MATTERS people across the country to know they cultural experiences; and I contend that IN AN ACROPOLIS Nunes takes the helm of CIA during an are going to see an extraordinary return great audiences make for great cultural “Emerson is at the gateway to Boston’s uncertain economic and political time here on their investment of their money, institutions and great art.” theater district and from that gateway, when, he said, people need the inspiration their time, and their talent.” the college really started to advance the of good art and design more than ever. In addition to his graduate degree in A FILM LOVER AT HEART neighborhood. I see our campus project “One of the really vital things that CIA film, Nunes also holds a master of phi- Because film is his art form, Nunes was as having very similar potential. CIA is students, alumni, and faculty do is they losophy degree in theater history and also drawn to The Cleveland Institute at the gateway to University Circle and make objects of beauty. We can’t under- film studies from Columbia, and a BA in of Art Cinematheque. He called the our modernized, unified campus will be a estimate the importance of having objects English and religion from the College of Institute’s year-round film program “one real anchor for that northeastern portion of beauty in our lives. Good design, clean the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. He suc- of the great cinematheques in the country of the circle,” he said. “Academic institu- lines, color, they give our spirits joy. We ceeds David L. Deming ’67 who retired directed by John Ewing, who is one of the tions can be extraordinary agents for must honor that. Never was it more after a 12-year presidency to return to his best film curators in the United States.” social good and I see that as being a great important than it is now. People just sculpture studio full time. Nunes speaks from authority, having opportunity here.” simply need the uplift of being moved by Editor’s Note: Watch for announcements earned an MFA from Columbia University As impressed as he was with the down- what is reaffirming of their lives in a nar- of visits President Nunes will make to meet in film history, theory, and criticism. After town Flats entertainment district and the rative way, or by what takes them outside alumni and friends in Northeast Ohio and graduate school he came to Cleveland rock ‘n’ roll scene in Cleveland, Nunes said of their daily worries in a visual way.” around the country in the coming months. 1009464_8pg.indd 1 9/3/10 9:32 AM CIA ENROLLS LARGEST INCOMING CLass EVER “Dear Diary, CIA journals are on sale at Barnes & Noble!” The Cleveland Institute of Art enrolled 192 new students for fall semester, the Journals with covers designed by one former and one current Communication Design largest group of incoming students in its 128-year history. B “I’m delighted major are now on sale at some 500 Barnes & Noble stores across the country with the to welcome this large, diverse, and enthusiastic group; we’ll be ‘first years’ bookseller’s back-to-campus merchandise. together,” said CIA’s new President Grafton Nunes. “I know our admissions Both six-inch by eight-inch hardcover journals have lined pages and elastic band counselors logged in thousands of miles and hundreds of visits to reach this closures. Anthony Zart ’08 created the concept for Envy. It features a word processor many students. In addition to contacting more high school students than ever on the cover with “I have a handwriting font too” displayed on its screen. On the back cover, along with the CIA logo, are the words “writing is right.” Jessica Obando, before, our counselors were better able to tell the CIA story, thanks to new now in her final year at CIA, created the concept for Another Day, a montage of text materials developed by our Marketing Department.” B Enrollment numbers and color. are up in every category with the largest increase in students coming from the Designer and adjunct faculty member Chris Ramsay offered the journal design proj- Southeastern United States, according to Bob Borden, executive director of admis- ect to his “Advanced Studio” class to teach students first-hand about interacting with sions and financial aid. Seventy-two students in the incoming class are from out- clients. The assignment required students to research Barnes & Noble and its top com- side Ohio, the largest number in the history of the school. B “The admissions petitors, generate 16 hand-sketched concepts, and refine the best of those concepts in counselors and the financial aid staff worked very hard but it’s truly a team consultation with the client. effort with involvement from our colleagues from the faculty and marketing. Barnes & Noble contracts with art schools Our success is also attributable to the reputation the school has been built up every year to design journals for its back-to- campus sales campaign. Richard Konisiewicz ’76, over several decades,” Borden said. B To ensure that students in the class of CIA’s director of corporate, foundation and 2014 get the same attention that smaller classes have enjoyed, the Department government relations, worked with Ramsay to of Academic Services is launching a few new initiatives, according to Director contract with the book store chain.