Tisch dean joins Obama committee

An NYU faculty member is heading to Washington.

Last Wednesday, President Obama appointed Tisch dean Mary Schmidt Campbell as vice chair of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Her position will focus on integrating the arts throughout the nation.

Campbell will maintain her position as dean of the Tisch School of the Arts. In fulfilling her duties as vice chair of the committee, she will occasionally travel to Washington, D.C., and communicate regularly with the other 24 members of the committee.

"It's going to be a collaborative effort," Campbell said. "The best ideas are things we haven't even thought about yet."

In her new position, Campbell will work with Michelle Obama, who will serve as honorary co-chair of the committee.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting the first lady," Campbell said.

She said she plans to use her experience as dean of Tisch to communicate the importance of fundraising for the arts, which would provide professional training to artists.

Tisch second-year graduate student Jenna Jackson believes Campbell's passion for the arts will be a "great asset" to the committee.

"She should focus on why the arts are so important," Jackson said. "It brings so much more to a community."

Campbell also said she wants to increase the presence of the arts in education, particularly in public schools, many of which have downsized their arts programs due to budget cuts.

"Learning the arts is fundamental in cognitive development," Campbell said. "I think the arts should have a permanent place in public schools."

Tisch sophomore Jonathan Hurwitz is proud of Campbell's appointment to the committee.

"I think it's an honor for her and for us," Hurwitz said. "New York City has such a vibrant arts culture, if she could take that and spread that."

Campbell said she has not spoken to Obama since she met him at an event two years ago, before he announced his presidential bid. After talking to him that night, Campbell was impressed.

"I said, 'If he ever runs for anything, sign me up,' " she said.

Lily Altavena is a contributing writer.