Supporting Faculty Research Helps Students Learn and Extends the Audience for the Arts

In a time when state and national funding for the arts is being reduced or eliminated, support for faculty research is even more important.

Some Examples

In 2008, Michelle Heffner Hayes received support from a Dance Faculty Development Fund that made it possible for her to complete her book, Flamenco: Conflicting Histories of the Dance (McFarland, 2009).

Assistant Professor Shawn Bitters, Visual Art, has used the Shimomura Fund to support the preparations for one of his exhibitions.  Shawn explains, “I used the Shimomura fund for shipping and packing. It was invaluable! I have used the Shimomura fund every time I’ve had a solo show. It helps make exhibiting my work possible. An increase to the fund or another fund would be incredibly helpful.”

In Theatre, Associate Professor Mechele Leon was awarded support from the Kimbell Fund last spring to present at a conference in Japan. 

Delbert Unruh, Theatre, is using a travel grant from the Kimbell Enrichment Fund this year to support a trip to attend the Annual USITT Convention in Long Beach, CA.  At this conference, he will be releasing his book on the career of Tony Walton who has won  three Tony Awards, an Oscar for All That Jazz, and an Emmy the CBS production of Death of a Salesman.

Yoonmi Nam, Associate Professor, Visual Art, used support from the Shimomura Fund to make frames for her exhibition in New Orleans in the fall of 2010.  She described how this made a difference: “It is very important for us because there aren't many grants that art faculty can get to help with the cost of framing and shipping works. I don't think the general public is aware of this kind of expense.”